The Buffalo DAC

On Saturday, November 8th, I will begin accepting orders for the round of Buffalo DACs currently under construction. They will begin shipping the week of December 8th.

After this stock sells out, you will be able to add your name to a waiting list with a small deposit. We will be ordering and building more Buffalos based on the waiting list. When your waiting list order is ready for shipping, we will send you an invoice for the balance. If you are on the waiting list, you can cancel and receive a refund of you deposit at any time.

Layout Schematic Manual

Highlights

The first DAC based on the ESS Sabre8 Reference (ES9008) DAC chip

Four DACs per channel ("Stereo Quad Balanced" mode)

High-precision, low-jitter clock

Integrated reclocking

Direct DSD, I2S and S/PDIF inputs supporting up to 24-bit/192kHz

Direct stereo differential output for interfacing into the I/V stage of your choice

On-board LDO voltage regulators for digital supplies

On-board LM4562-based regulator for analog supply

All connections by direct or optional (included) terminal blocks

I2C header for remote uC interfacing

The Buffalo is the first DAC available based on the new ESS ES9008 Sabre8 DAC chip.

The Buffalo DAC module features S/PDIF, I2S and DSD data input formats and balanced, current mode outputs. For the best possible performance, the Buffalo should be used with a high quality current-to-voltage (I/V) stage. We have tweaked the component values of our IVY Output stage kit to match the Buffalo perfectly. I early testing of the combination, we were achieving in excess of -124dB DNR and -117dB THD+N. Numbers are one thing, but great reviews are another, and they have been pouring in. The Sabre8 is definitely the new king of the hill of DAC chips.

The Buffalo module requires two supply voltages. VA should be run at 6.6-8.5VDC and VD should be run at 5-7.5VDC. The Buffalo's onboard regulators will take it from there. We offer a combination of the Buffalo and our Low Current Dual Power Supply (LCDPS) below.

See our Support Forum, the user manual (above) and the audio forum links below for more detailed reading about the Sabre8 and the Buffalo module.

DIYAudio Thread about the ESS ES9008 DAC Chip
Head-Fi Thread about the ESS ES9008 DAC Chip

Ordering Options
Module Combinations
Preorder: Buffalo DAC + Dual Power Supply Combination [1] Buffalo DAC Module (Assembled and Tested) [1] Low-Current Dual Power Supply *Kit*	$219.00 USD
Preorder: Buffalo DAC + IVY Active I/V Stage + Power Supplies Combination [1] Buffalo DAC Module (Assembled and Tested) [1] Low-Current Dual Power Supply *Kit* (for Buffalo) [1] IVY for Buffalo Active I/V Stage *Kit* [1] Low-Current Bipolar Power Supply *Kit* (for IVY)	$325.00 USD
Individual Modules
Preorder: Buffalo DAC Module (Assembled and Tested)	$179.00 USD
Wait List for Modules
Wait List: Buffalo DAC Module (Assembled and Tested)	$20.00 USD Deposit, $159.00 at Shipment	Still In Stock
**Note: "Kit" denotes a bare PCB and all parts required to build a complete module, including mounting hardware.