z3d
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Post by z3d on Aug 9, 2015 22:51:00 GMT
Hi guys! I'm looking into this project/product with much interest and I'd like to share that with you; that's an high resolution dac by AMD Laboratories by Ti Kan. I'd also like to have some technical impressions about the build and the project itself from Javier, Frans and anybody who want to chime in Here we go Main page: www.amb.org/audio/gamma3/Development & measurement pages (70-71) :http://www.amb.org/forum/gamma3-high-resolution-dac-development-t2656.html (pic taken from member bk_856er on amb forum)
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Aug 10, 2015 9:46:43 GMT
Hi Nicola It is an interesting project and has some interesting characteristics but for me some of the tech choices they made such as the DAC chips used, the TI re-sampler or the Widget USB transport are not the best out there. The Wolfsons are very good DACs but rather outdated if you compare them with the latest from AKM or ESS. Among other things they are limited to 192KHz PCM and DSD64 which, if one intends to up-sample using the PC, is quite limiting. Another IMO not so good choice is the forced up-sampling to either 96 or 192KHz using the SRC4392. The Audio Widget which is currently limited to PCM and has no DSD support. The problem is that being an open source project software updates can take long or even never take place whereas commercial solutions based on the XMOS, C-Media or Amanero have better driver and firmware support. I don't know what is going to be the cost of that DAC but if it is over 500€ - and it looks like it is going to be well above that price - I would consider other projects based on the AK4490 (see jlsounds.com/products.html) or the ESS chips Like TPA's Buffalo IIISE.
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Aug 14, 2015 12:20:04 GMT
Hi Javier, thank you for having a look into this project I was looking into a well-worth dac (either already built or diy kit) in the $500/500€ range in order to have a reference unit to compare my STX (and mods while going on) with and to be able to listen to my Ember+HD600 setup at full potential, without being limited by the source, which I think I'm actually. I'm not speaking about being limited by sample rate or bit depth but instead about the design of this dac which isn't able to resolve the finest microdetails and which adds a bit of digital glare sometimes which is something I don't like. I praise the STX for being neutral compared to many DACs which colour the sound but that hint of artificial sound added (sometimes), the lack of refinement and for sure the not so "reference" way of instruments positioning are all things that makes my think about something else. I gave a look to different projects in the net and stumbled on this one and on another one but quite different, from Doede Douma. The latter is in the 450-500€ range and also quite interesting, I think I will open an appropriate thread for that one. About y3, I contacted the creator Ti Kan for some in-depth questions; I will update here once I receive the answers. Anyway, what you think about all that?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 14, 2015 12:50:44 GMT
Consider that the fine nuances are 'down' just -40dB to -50Db or so in the music and generally are 'located' in the middle frequencies.
No DAC should ever have problems in that area unless it was designed very wrongly. The STX is more than good enough IMO.
I don't subscribe to things like ladders being better or DS to sound poor. There are many DACs with very high sound appraisals yet others rate it as poo.
I have done too many blind tests in my life though and think I am DAC-deaf.
For DIY I would look into the links supplied by Javier or the Soekris DAC if you are willing to settle for less accurate (technical) reproduction but want an (technically inferior) R2R ladder DAC but with the possibility to play with filter.
The AMB looks nice and audiophile though. Put the JL sounds in an impressive box + huge power supply and it looks equally 'audiophile' and may end up in about the right price class.
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Aug 16, 2015 11:13:19 GMT
Hi Frans, thank you for your participation.
Did you also ran some blind test between ladder dac's and delta sigma ones, in the same or even different price ranges?
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Aug 16, 2015 16:03:58 GMT
When comparing DACs it is important to know that one is not comparing just different chips (or discrete design converters) but complete systems which can have different output levels. Our ears usually perceive the loudest one as better.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Aug 16, 2015 16:39:33 GMT
BTW, you can find some very reasonably priced R2R (and DS too) DACs here: www.diyinhk.com/shop/7-audio-kitsThey also have PSs and all parts you could need to build a complete system
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Aug 19, 2015 21:57:20 GMT
Thank you for those links Javier
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z3d
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Post by z3d on Aug 24, 2015 19:24:24 GMT
I gave a look to diyinhk and noticed that I already bought from them 2 pcb for my Laing DDC pumps (computer watercooling) several years ago..sometimes the world is little!
I'm quite interested in their R2R dac based on 2x1704K chips but that's not going cheap: 1x dac kit + xmos = 99€ 1x +-12V regulated psu = 45€ 1x +-5V regulated psu = 60€ 1x +3,3V regulated psu = 40€
Stuff to add to that list: 1x Amanero board = 30€?? 2x 1704K dac chips = 116€ 1x enclosure = 50->200€ (depends on how fancy)
Total will be around 450/600€: at this price don't you think Soekris DAC or older (already build) R2R dac's could be a better option (the latter bought 2nd hand) ?
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Aug 24, 2015 20:40:36 GMT
I would suggest the one using the 1702 instead as it includes the ICs (or so it looks). It has exaclty the same performance of the 1704. The missing 4bits don't really add much as there is not much music beyond -120dB.
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