Another HiFi 2000 Chassis For Single Buffalo III DAC

SCompRacer

After being stuck in customs for two days, I finally received my second HiFi2000 enclosure from Italy. I guess metal enclosure for an electronic device of my choice raises suspicion. :0 Probably got me on a watch list. They tell me they had classification issues with it.

HiFi2000 tells me they switched to FedEx for shipping as they will be cheaper than UPS. Waiting to see if I get an import duty invoice. I don't do a lot of international, but my experience has been UPS will automatically charge import duty on everything with seven days to pay or they start tacking on interest. With FedEx it has been sometimes I get a duty charge with international.

This is a HiFi2000 2U metal enclosure with fully vented top cover, 10mm aluminum font panel. Front and back panel machining by their modushop, anodize after machine. Finally the single BIII DAC will have a worthy enclosure. I've got some friends that want to demo it, but unsure it will make it past the first.....these DAC's sound that good.

This is a single BIII DAC with Legato output board. Shunting power supplies for DAC and output board. Cheating with a wall wart for the Arduino/LCD display. The Legato I/V board sports discrete balanced output, SE output and headphone out. It will also have Arduino serial control with modified HiFiDuino code by Corpius. It will be controlled by a manual encoder or Apple remote. Input wise I'm thinking USB to I2S and a coax S/PDIF. One fellow asked for Bluetooth input but I don't think I can pull that off.

heiney9

Very nice!

You going into business Rich? Should I get my order in?

EndersShadow

Dammmmmnnnnnnnnn that's sexy!

SCompRacer

heiney9 wrote: »

Very nice!

You going into business Rich? Should I get my order in?

I wish, but don't have the time. Fairly easy build, although pricey, including the enclosure. The worst part of another Arduino/LCD build is Corpius is back in school while working, so no shields are available from him. The shield attaches to the Arduino and makes the wring much easier and worked with his code. A manual selector DAC would be easier and less expensive.

Hey Dan!

BlueMDPicker

Cool beans!

hochpt21

This should have had a NSFW tag...sexyness!

headrott

So, when are you including some tubes in the analog output Rich??

Nice build! Looks great!

SCompRacer

headrott wrote: »

So, when are you including some tubes in the analog output Rich??

Nice build! Looks great!

Thanks Greg! They already have some round glowing things on the PS boards....oh wait, those are LED's....lol

SCompRacer

Found a round tuit. Still need to connect USB to I2S/DSD and connect two more inputs but it does S/PDIF mighty fine! Remote control, discrete balanced output, SE and headphone out. Then off to Carl and Mike for trial. Ed says he wants Bluetooth input so he has to wait....lol These are much simpler to build. No more dual mono builds!

Some extra room in this for future USB boards that may be larger and maybe another power supply.

A couple of improvements I make to the HiFi2000 chassis are slightly longer M4 bolts and nylon lock nuts to secure floor to side panels. I also like to stud mount the front panel as it is much easier to start and tighten a nut than insert and tighten a screw with the innards populated.

I cheated and used a wall wart PS for the Arduino/LCD display and no noise or buzz so it will stay. In my dual mono I used a linear power supply for the Arduino/LCD. IEC has filter built in along with switch, fuse.

I just had to do a few holes for the Arduino/IR receiver.

headrott

Beautiful Rich! Nice job!

Mike Reeter

I so envy you guys that have soo much talent, nice work, as usual Rich!!!

BlueMDPicker

Do you suppose my DAC will sound like Schiit after I audition yours? :cool:

I'm a HUGE fan of attention to detail. Amazing work, my friend!

FTGV

Awesome.That little one man custom DAC shop in IL sure pumps out some nice product.

schwarcw

WOW! Rich that thing is a piece of beauty! A master craftsman's masterpiece!

I am warming up a spot for it in my system for a test drive.

Mike, I hope that you are in no hurry:cheesygrin:

SCompRacer

My round tuit isn't as hi-tech....



It's a wrap. I get by with a little help from my friends...thanks to Fred for the ready built Salas PS. It powers the Sidecar switching board, input board and USB module.

Using Dynamicaps as AC couplers due to the common mode DC with the Legato I/V output board. Common mode is DC between balanced + and balanced ground, balanced - and balanced ground. Not all amps can handle common mode DC. Over the years I have measured gear for common mode DC and found it is not uncommon.;)

EndersShadow

D A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A M M M M M M M M M N N N N N N N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich that just looks like straight audio **** right there....

txcoastal1

That definitely goes in the "show me your guts thread"

FTGV

Very nice Rich.I really like your classy front panels with the central display and fancy attenuator knob.That black pc board doesn't look to out of place.

schwarcw

A beautiful looking piece!!

SCompRacer

Thanks for the kind words! Much credit goes to HiFi2000/modushop.

bikerboy

Looks very nice Rich. How much to get the custom face work and case from modushop? Is this one going on a road trip? I love mine and am working on getting the ottoII installed.

SCompRacer

Thanks Greg! This will travel to Carl and then Mike. Ed has heard my dual mono DAC but would like Bluetooth input added. That's beyond my capability right now. Russ at Twisted Pear is messing with Raspberry Pi now and mentioned Bluetooth so maybe he will come up with an offering like that someday.

This Pesante 2U chassis with 10mm front panel was ~220 euro or $306US. Shipping is high, ~$70US. They use FedEx now. Before it was UPS. Shipping was cheaper with UPS until you got the import duty invoice with two weeks to pay before they start tacking on interest. Options were fully vented top cover, anti-vibration feet, drilled inner base, knob, both sides machined, holes drilled and tapped for LED display and anodized after machining. Front Panel Express doesn't do both sides machined or anodize after machine. Both sides machine is like 60euro or $84US.

If using an OLED display, they are like 1/8" thinner so no need to go as deep with display cavity on rear of front panel. Robert (Corpius) of CE -Designs is working on an improved controller and code that will work with an OLED display. Currently the code doesn't support the Arduino/CE-Designs shield when using OLED displays. I'll have to make a thin filler (like hard foam) for mine when the OLED display is installed to take up the small gap.

Doing the deep cavity for the IR receiver makes for excellent off axis remote operation.

schwarcw

After listening to this DAC for two days now, all I can say is the sound is stunning! I immediately noticed an improvement over my Benchmark DAC 1. The soundstage is wider, deeper and I have a little more depth on the low end. Overall, I think it is also smoother than the Benchmark. But it's the wide open sound with smooth definition that make the music more involving.

The build quality, appearance, smooth and easy operation is World Class. Rich put together a real nice documentation package that rivals anything a high end supplier would include with their product. A very impressive piece of audio gear. Nothing about this looks like it was a DIY project. It's a professionally crafted piece that looks and sounds excellent.

Some pics and a little more review based on my listening pleasure will come later. But this beauty has found a nice home.

Great job Rich!

SCompRacer

Thanks for the kind words! Hey Carl! Glad you like it. Interested in hearing more from you as you spend more time with it.

If you can solder, you can build one of these. Granted the Arduino/LCD can get complicated at first, but it can be also be built easier and less expensive with manual control. While the Twisted Pear kits are high in price compared to some offerings, they are highly optimized and punch way, way above their price point when assembled properly.

FTGV

SCompRacer wrote: »

. While the Twisted Pear kits are high in price compared to some offerings, they are highly optimized and punch way, way above their price point when assembled properly.

I concur.

milund

Would it be possible to use your work to order a chassis from Hifi2000 modus?

br,
Michael

SCompRacer

milund wrote: »

Would it be possible to use your work to order a chassis from Hifi2000 modus?

br,
Michael

Hi Michael. Thanks for the kind words. You mean the .fpd file? (Front Panel Express drawing). No problem, I'd share it. Are you going to order the same exact chassis and use same LCD display? Otherwsie you'd have to change the front face plate dimensions and then may need to tweak placement of encoder/remote/LCD screen holes and lettering. You have to keep in mind the top and bottom panels have a lip that extends into chassis about 1/4" at front and rear to stiffen them. Interference with components can restrict the panels from sitting flat on chassis or short LCD pins.

Andrea at modushop assisted with the rear panel LCD mounting holes. I provided LCD data sheet for precise location of holes to LCD screen opening. Material was removed where the board would be close to panel and short out. Different LCD screens might have different dimensions.

milund

Hi Rich,

Thanks a lot.
I will do a measurement of the display this weekend - it would be very cool have the DAC in a chassis with such high finish.

best regards,
Michael

SCompRacer

Front Panel Express was challenging at first, but like anything mucking around in it gets you the needed experience to use it and find all the options. Andrea will alert you if something is very wrong. He does fairly well with English, but I did send some crude Paint drawings so we were visually on the same page. In particular it was the rear cavity for the LCD screen and clearance for the circuit board header pins. I wanted the screen closer to the front panel surface rather than 10mm deep at back of panel.

You can export your drawing in an SVG file which displays using Internet Explorer. It will show bevels around openings and if the font machining looks good.


http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/

milund

Thats great - I think I will give it a try myself. But can I have your file as a starting point? (it is nice with an example when trying out a completely new tool).



Thanks,
Michael

SCompRacer

I sent you PM with my email. Not sure if you can access with low post count.