Thanks for the info.
I will initially be using the DAC on a HTPC that only has USB output, so other types of connection won't be needed. I also don't usually change file types and bit rates so the clicks and pops shouldn't be a problem.
I hope you won't mind one further question? Does the DAC accept direct DSD or will I have to convert it to PCM first?
I contacted the vendor in the links in my previous post and he provided the following links for the Windows USB Audio 2.0 drivers
"The latest XMOS 3.34 public version of the drive
Http://pan.baidu.com/s/1nvoa5TZ
XMOS 2.26 driver
Http://yun.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=1612015194&uk=155645262
XMOS 2.19 driver (WIN10 need to install this driver)
Http://yun.baidu.com/share/link?shareid=2911941438&uk=155645262"
I have already successfully downloaded the V3.34 driver, but haven't installed it yet.
I don't use Windows so you may have to wait for a reply from someone who does.
I have tested DSD files with my "Linux" players and have had DSD native playback using USB Audio Player PRO on Android.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.extreamsd.usbaudioplayerpro&hl=en
From their app : Features...."DSD-over-PCM and native DSD playback and DSD-to-PCM conversion if the DAC does not support DSD (.dff/.dsf files)"
Just to be clear... if your playlist is all one file type and bitrate then should be good eg 24/96 .wav
Where the playlist is a mix of bitrates and file types eg DSD, 16/44.1 wav, flac, mp3 etc then changes from one track to the next can cause noises.
Resampling on the fly (if your player supports this and has the processing power to do it) to one fixed file and bitrate may work...Ymmv.
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Once again, thanks for taking the time to reply.
I guess I'll just have to build the DAC and see how it works with Windows. From what you have said, I should end up with something useful. I just hope it will be better than the ALC887 codec on my motherboard
I really don't use playlists, but tend to play whole albums or part albums that have a consistent file type and bit rate..
Yes, it will better that. While it is not a top shelf implementation of the ESS dac it is amazingly good for the extremely modest price!.
The xmos allows you to experiment/upgrade the dac at a later date if you so desire.
I currently use that xmos on a diyinhk ES9018 with custom power supplies.
ES9018K2M XMOS DSD DXD 384kHz USB DAC with Bit-perfect volume control and SPDIF input - DIYINHK
Just out of interest, how does the ebay DAC compare with the diyinhk DAC in terms of function and sound?
@ Naaling
Like most I bought this ebay dac as it seemed unbelievably cheap and if it didn't perform then the loss was going to be affordable.
It surprised me enough that I bought another, one for my workshop and one to experiment with.
The workshop one I listen to all day using a Raspberry Pi running Moode or a Thin-client running Snakeoil and a Yamaha amplifier. it is perfect for it's intended use, background music.
I added the Ak4118 so I could use other devices including a cd player through the optical in.
The ebay dac performs better than the one built into the Yamaha receiver .
I tried the other in my home hifi. My Perreaux Audiant 80i has an ES9006 dac inbuilt and I prefer that to the ebay Es9018.
I then built the Diyinhk Es9018 and use that with the Perreaux whose dac it beats hands down.
The Diyinhk unit is way better in all respects than the ebay dac but I don't regret buying the ebay ones as they are great little performers for their price.
If I was only buying one dac for home use it would be the Diyinhk.
Do bear in mind that while the Diyinhk dac is very well priced at the moment it does require some serious power supplies and has to be assembled. This all adds greatly to time, cost, and risk.
The ebay is a great starter at low cost and ready to play by simply connecting the xmos to the i2s and using a wallwart to power it.
http://moodeaudio.org/
https://www.snakeoil-os.net/
http://www.perreaux.com/products/au...ifier/audiant-80i-stereo-integrated-amplifier
Like most I bought this ebay dac as it seemed unbelievably cheap and if it didn't perform then the loss was going to be affordable.
It surprised me enough that I bought another, one for my workshop and one to experiment with.
The workshop one I listen to all day using a Raspberry Pi running Moode or a Thin-client running Snakeoil and a Yamaha amplifier. it is perfect for it's intended use, background music.
I added the Ak4118 so I could use other devices including a cd player through the optical in.
The ebay dac performs better than the one built into the Yamaha receiver .
I tried the other in my home hifi. My Perreaux Audiant 80i has an ES9006 dac inbuilt and I prefer that to the ebay Es9018.
I then built the Diyinhk Es9018 and use that with the Perreaux whose dac it beats hands down.
The Diyinhk unit is way better in all respects than the ebay dac but I don't regret buying the ebay ones as they are great little performers for their price.
If I was only buying one dac for home use it would be the Diyinhk.
Do bear in mind that while the Diyinhk dac is very well priced at the moment it does require some serious power supplies and has to be assembled. This all adds greatly to time, cost, and risk.
The ebay is a great starter at low cost and ready to play by simply connecting the xmos to the i2s and using a wallwart to power it.
http://moodeaudio.org/
https://www.snakeoil-os.net/
http://www.perreaux.com/products/au...ifier/audiant-80i-stereo-integrated-amplifier
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There are no problems when switching the sampling frequency and file types during playback. Files in the playlist can be with different bitrates when there is no interference. I use the player fubar2000. This dac supports the direct output of the dsd conversion to psm is not needed. You need to properly configure the player.
@ DRONE7
Thanks for such a detailed discussion.
Like you, I will probably start with the ebay DAC, because, as you say, there is little to lose it it doesn't work out.. My system isn't exactly hi end, so it may be all I need. However, given the nature of DIY I will probably end up upgrading things in the future, just to see if it makes a difference.
A lot of the improvement in the sound of the DIYINHK DAC over the ebay DAC could be down to the quality of the power supply. It requires 3 separate power supplies and can't be powered by a wallwart.
@ bogi66
Thanks for your input.
Are you using the Xmos USB board? If so, what USB Audio 2.0 driver are you using?
Thanks for such a detailed discussion.
Like you, I will probably start with the ebay DAC, because, as you say, there is little to lose it it doesn't work out.. My system isn't exactly hi end, so it may be all I need. However, given the nature of DIY I will probably end up upgrading things in the future, just to see if it makes a difference.
A lot of the improvement in the sound of the DIYINHK DAC over the ebay DAC could be down to the quality of the power supply. It requires 3 separate power supplies and can't be powered by a wallwart.
@ bogi66
Thanks for your input.
Are you using the Xmos USB board? If so, what USB Audio 2.0 driver are you using?
I'm using the cheap eBay es9028 board with a burson v5 opamp to drive a subwoofer as part of my minisharc based digital crossover. I'm working on upgrading the power supply of the cheap board. Would I be better just switching to the diyinhk es9018k2m board?
Subwoofer crossover at ~100hz.
Using minishow0328 es9028pro board to feed valve amp for main speakers.
Subwoofer crossover at ~100hz.
Using minishow0328 es9028pro board to feed valve amp for main speakers.
Are the 2 channels balanced outputs (4 pins total) of the es9018k2m chip brought out to the dualopamp differential inputs (board of the first message) ? I want to tap stereo differential analog signals from the es9018k2m.... thanks
I have some of the eBay (minishow)boards from the same maker, sound great with some upgrades.
The tiny, filter capacitors that are around the op amps will give a nice improvement, use either Wima FKP2, Siemens KS, or EMZ polystyrene here. These are all pf values, the larger sizes are likely power decoupling. That would be the first thing I would upgrade.
I will also replace the rectifier diodes with fast, soft recovery type also.
These upgrades will allow you to get the most out of the dac and burson combo.
If you aren't handy wth a soldering iron, you may want to practice first on some old circuit board to get a feel for it.
The tiny, filter capacitors that are around the op amps will give a nice improvement, use either Wima FKP2, Siemens KS, or EMZ polystyrene here. These are all pf values, the larger sizes are likely power decoupling. That would be the first thing I would upgrade.
I will also replace the rectifier diodes with fast, soft recovery type also.
These upgrades will allow you to get the most out of the dac and burson combo.
If you aren't handy wth a soldering iron, you may want to practice first on some old circuit board to get a feel for it.
what es9038pro pcb black board is that ? link and price of it ? these es9018k2m and es9028q2m boards have excellent specs relative to price : hoping your board is price effective too...
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Hi,
I also have this board. Could you pls. describe what does your mod do exactly?
Where do you power it with what voltage (AC?)?
The main issue regarding SQ of this board might be the DC Elko at the Output in Signal path - anybody a easy mod her?
Thank you!
Best regards
Jörn
I also have this board. Could you pls. describe what does your mod do exactly?
Where do you power it with what voltage (AC?)?
The main issue regarding SQ of this board might be the DC Elko at the Output in Signal path - anybody a easy mod her?
Thank you!
Best regards
Jörn
He's doing it to be able to run the board from up to 25V power supply voltage, which will help reduce the distortion in the opamp due to low supply voltage. It still does not do anything for the hack output stage though, so BJT input opamps will still sound like poo.
I considered this for a while, but decided to swap in a OPA2134 instead. It performs very well at these ludicrously low supply voltages, and no distortion is noticed even with the (software) volume at maximum and a +v of 11.5V at the input. Opamp runs off 10V, as the multiplier drops 1.5V or so. It also works better with the high impedance seen by the input pins.
I use a 5V-12V isolated converter so that the DAC and a Pi can run off a single 5V 12W charger. There is some CLC filtering on both sides of the converter to minimise the switching noise coupling between the two units. Being isolated means no ground loops are likely to occur.
I considered this for a while, but decided to swap in a OPA2134 instead. It performs very well at these ludicrously low supply voltages, and no distortion is noticed even with the (software) volume at maximum and a +v of 11.5V at the input. Opamp runs off 10V, as the multiplier drops 1.5V or so. It also works better with the high impedance seen by the input pins.
I use a 5V-12V isolated converter so that the DAC and a Pi can run off a single 5V 12W charger. There is some CLC filtering on both sides of the converter to minimise the switching noise coupling between the two units. Being isolated means no ground loops are likely to occur.