New Dac kit on the way

bikerboy

I was able to get in on the first batch of ESS Sabre dac kits by Twisted Pear Audio. They only had 20 kits I think. From what I have read it should be a big step up from the Opus which sounds great. It has better SNR and THD specs. I will install it in the koa wood case I made for the Opus. I hope to have it done in a week or so. The system will sound better than ever. State of the art dac and chinese tube preamp and amp. Making sweet music.

dorokusai

Do you have some more information on that DAC?

bikerboy

Hi Doro,
Go to www.twistedpearaudio.com and look at the news section or the Buffalo dac . There are a couple of links to diyaudio and headfi. The threads are huge. But after using their Opus dac with the wolfson 8740 chip I had to try their new one. The kits include most everything you need except a case. The Opus sounds great with the Jolida 502 I got from you. Thanks again.

bikerboy

I finally wrapped up the Buffalo dac. I just needed to add the optical input. It now has both spdif and toslink inputs. I removed the Opus dac kit from the koa wood faced case I made before and used it for the Buffalo. I received an upgrade on the parts for the Ivy output stage a couple of weeks ago along with a new IC for firmware changes. TPA is a great couple of guys. They sent out the upgrade parts at no charge. This dac sounds better than anything I could have imagined. The top end is the most listenable this stereo has ever been. No listener fatigue! Imaging and detail that is amazing. All this for only $300. I am floored by the realism. It doesnt make the music sound better, it just tells it like it is. The balance is so right. It doesnt matter if its Chemical Bros or Led Zep, it sounds more real than ever. The last song on NIN The Fragile-Left side is crazy, going in circles. I am a happy camper to say the least.

Baraccuda

Hello Bikerboy,

I am from Germany and my english is not so good.
I hope you can help me for my next Diy project:
The Buffalo Dac (220 V EU Version) with both balanced (2 XLR) and one single-ended (chinch) outputs.
With TOSLINK optical input und Chinch Input.


Before I order I have any questions:
Can you explain to me which construction units I need for this project to completely.

I mean the following:
1. Buffalo DAC
2. IVY Active I/V Stage
3. Low-Current Dual Power Supply Kit (for Buffalo)
4. Low-Current Bipolar Power Supply Kit (for IVY)
5. TOSLINK Optical Input Module Kit


And which units additionally?
6. Two Power Transformer for Buffalo and IVY: 9+9 or 15+15V ???
7. OTTO (Switching Module) ? When Yes – Must I order the Switch Kit= 30,00 USD plus Switch Bord=14,00 USD ?? Must I have for OTTO an additional Transformator? When yes - 9+9 or 15+15V ???
8. ?
9. ?



I hope you can help me.


Best regards
Jörg

bikerboy

Hi Jorg,
It would be better to get your questions answered through the TPA forum. I connect the coax and optical inputs to the same digital input. I make sure one is off while the other is on. This works well for me. You will need the two transformers for the dac and the ivy. I dont know anything about the otto. Its a great sounding dac! Good luck.

bikerboy

Hi,
I finally ordered and installed the 4 input MUX selector from TPA. It uses transformers to isolate the inputs. It can use spdif or PCM to output to the dac. I used PCM. It was quite easy to setup. Now I can switch from computer, Shigaclone transport, or Esoteric transport at any time. I used 3 Canare 75 ohm rca connectors and one 75 ohm BNC connector. I might switch the BNC to a toslink later. I have only spdif coax to use for now. No bad noises when you make the switch. Sounds better. More bass! The shigaclone still sounds better than any other source so far. TPA makes good stuff.

http://twistedpearaudio.com/digital/cs8416mux.aspx

kcoc321

God that is beautiful. I would love to see it in person.
Any chance of bringing it to the GTG?

bikerboy

Thanks. I like the wood face on the components. Easy to make and looks great. I will bring the dac and the transport. I hope we have some good speakers to listen to.

ShinAce

Wow! Gorgeous wood! What is it?

The DAC isn't bad either...:p

zingo

I can't wait to see it in a few weeks, and I'll bring the Cardas BNC.

bikerboy

The dac has Koa and the rack has curly maple. The top of the shigaclone is quilted maple I think. Thanks.