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MartinC700  
#1 Posted : Tuesday, March 20, 2018 3:40:36 AM(UTC)
MartinC700

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Joined: 9/7/2010(UTC)
Posts: 43
Location: San Diego

Thanks: 1 times
Finally completed the new DAC based largely on boards from TPA. As usual over budget and behind schedule!

Specs are:

Input: SPDIF (Coax, BNC and optical (using 4:1 MUX)) and USB (Amanero)
Main DAC: ESS9038PRO (TPA BIISSEPRO)
Power: 2x100VA torroids for digital and analogue sections, one 20VA torroid for the Arduino Due.
Current to Voltage Conversion: TPA Mercury
USB Conversion: Amanero + Isolation (Hermes) + Reclocking (Cronus)
Analogue Out: SE and balanced
Control: Arduino Due (inputs, dac options, display dimming), controlled via Apple remote
Display: LCD
Case: HiFi2000 with custom front and rear panels from Front Panel Express

Control switches options on the DAC and the input switch board. I originally was planning to address the DAC directly but opted to instead switch via the switching available on the DAC board. The only real disadvantage I see is that I can't display the sample frequency.

Code for the Arduino was written from scratch (having never written C++ code and only having coded eons ago in Basic it was a challenge!)

How does it sound? Very nice, a definite step up from the older ES9018 that it replaced. Not sure if the improvement stems from the DAC or the new Mercury, either way the soundstage is far deeper, more holographic. There are nuances in recordings that I did not notice prior. Nice work Russ and Brian.

UserPostedImageP1200426.jpg by Martin Carrington, on Flickr

UserPostedImageP1200423.jpg by Martin Carrington, on Flickr

UserPostedImageP1200424.jpg by Martin Carrington, on Flickr

Edited by user Tuesday, March 20, 2018 4:10:11 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Brian Donegan  
#2 Posted : Tuesday, March 20, 2018 2:44:14 PM(UTC)
Brian Donegan

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Very nice work!
Russ White  
#3 Posted : Tuesday, March 20, 2018 8:07:31 PM(UTC)
Russ White

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That's a real beauty! I hope you enjoy it!

Cheers!
Russ
MartinC700  
#4 Posted : Wednesday, March 21, 2018 2:16:53 AM(UTC)
MartinC700

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Joined: 9/7/2010(UTC)
Posts: 43
Location: San Diego

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Thanks guys, really the credit totally goes to you two. I can assemble a kit of parts and mess with code and build cases but could never develop the skill (or have the time!) to get into the level of circuit design and optimization that you do! Much appreciated.
Russ White  
#5 Posted : Saturday, March 24, 2018 1:00:33 PM(UTC)
Russ White

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Joined: 10/24/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,979
Location: Nashville, TN

Thanks: 25 times
Was thanked: 89 time(s) in 83 post(s)
When people ask how to finish a project and arrange modules in a case I am going to show them your fine work! Thanks for the kind words.
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