October 23, 200916 yr Per 6Moons news snippet: October 2009 - MiniMax DAC?- Bill O'Connell of Morning Star Audio, the US importer and co-owner of Eastern Electric, announces a DAC based on the new ESS Technologies 32-bit ES9018 Sabre chip. This machine will have volume and gain control, RCA and XLR outputs, RCA/BNC/Toslink/XLR and USB 2 or higher digital inputs and sell for $600 pre-ordered, $700 once the first shipment hits US shores. A valve output stage option is under consideration too. I've liked their products I've had or heard, this sounds pretty nice. Sounds far enough off, we'll see if it comes in with that estimated price intact....
October 23, 200916 yr Per 6Moons news snippet: I've liked their products I've had or heard, this sounds pretty nice. Sounds far enough off, we'll see if it comes in with that estimated price intact.... At that price, it seems like it could set a new standard for balanced budget DAC.
October 23, 200916 yr It would be tough (not impossible) to build a Buffalo32 for that. Buff32 kit w/ power supplies = $529 Two trafos = $42 Parts total = $571 No case, limited input capability, no accessories (connectors, switches, blah). I agree, pretty impossible to imagine a completed build coming in much under ~$800 for just parts. My guess is that the EE product won't have anywhere near the power supply or output stage complexity that the TP kit does.
October 23, 200916 yr Author It would be tough (not impossible) to build a Buffalo32 for that. Agreed (and I like your smiley looking like your Avatar) I'm always pleasantly amazed that Eastern Electric builds as good sounding stuff at such cheap prices. Far East manufacturing helps obviously, but it goes beyond that.....
October 23, 200916 yr TP is all sold out of Buffalo kits thought right? Is there anywhere else that else that sells kits of even completed units?
October 23, 200916 yr TP is all sold out of Buffalo kits thought right? Is there anywhere else that else that sells kits of even completed units? Nope, they're "In Stock". The Buffalo DAC
October 23, 200916 yr Buff32 kit w/ power supplies = $529 Two trafos = $42 Parts total = $571 No case, limited input capability, no accessories (connectors, switches, blah). I agree, pretty impossible to imagine a completed build coming in much under ~$800 for just parts. My guess is that the EE product won't have anywhere near the power supply or output stage complexity that the TP kit does. Yep, totally agree, at that price I absolutely cannot see it having the I/V stage or PSU. I think if you are really clever and can scavenge parts, including a case, you could match that price with a Buffalo, but only if you consider your time worth 0 dollars. Anyway, it looks like it could be a great way to get in on the ESS DAC "bandwagon".
October 24, 200916 yr Or maybe the Buffalo32S is just overpriced. *shrug* The Headroom Ultra DAC based on the older Sabre 9008 is $1300......
October 24, 200916 yr *shrug* The Headroom Ultra DAC based on the older Sabre 9008 is $1300...... Hey. Just throwing it out there. $429 for just the built board. That's some expensive components, IMO.
October 24, 200916 yr Hey. Just throwing it out there. $429 for just the built board. That's some expensive components, IMO. ... or expensive "labor"
October 24, 200916 yr ... or expensive "labor" [Chumming the waters]... or expensive "profit"[/Chumming the waters]
October 24, 200916 yr [Chumming the waters]... or expensive "profit"[/Chumming the waters] now, I wasn't going to *say* that... this isn't diyhifi.org
October 24, 200916 yr Well that's great if your time is worth $0. I do not think the Buffalo32 is overpriced, but then again I have never been accused of being a cheap-ass mofo. I think it is more a comment on the difference in labor costs between the US and the far east. So I guess you should put the popcorn ...... away.
October 24, 200916 yr Well that's great if your time is worth $0. I do not think the Buffalo32 is overpriced, but then again I have never been accused of being a cheap-ass mofo. I think it is more a comment on the difference in labor costs between the US and the far east. So I guess you should put the popcorn ...... All I'm saying is one can get boards stuffed cheaper in China than in some middle-class working dude's toaster oven. One's time in China is worth slightly more than $0, at approximately $3 per hour. edit: doh, we're saying the same thing Edited October 24, 200916 yr by luvdunhill
October 30, 200916 yr Author Updated info..... No XLR outs, it would have used opamps to do, not true balanced. Swithcable SE tube/SS output (SS is via socketed opamps). More info on Audiocircle thread Pre-order = $645. May just have to try this.... [looks in wallet, blows dust away....]
October 31, 200916 yr Hi Guys, I'm a newbee so be gentle. Yes, we are making this DAC but to clarify, the power supply will be robust as we believe it is a must, It will be shielded also from the rest of the DAC . It will have a volume/gain control also.It will also have a toggle switch so you can either bypass the tube output or run it with the tube. Sorry for the waiting time but we have to build them all once we receive all the components, then shipping by boat usually takes 18-21 days and then to clear customs takes another 5-7 days. If you want though we could air ship directly to your door for single units, a little bit more expensive but we can. Anyway, thanks for your consideration. At $645 preorder price, it could be the best money ever spent. Kindest Regards, Bill O'Connell North American distributor for Eastern Electric Audio components
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