[orpheus]

The Sabre DAC has been getting a great response in the DIY community, and it has interesting specs.  It might be worth checking out.  Adding it into a Clarinet, or into a balanced line stage might be an interesting product (it has differential output), and it will do DSD and Blu Ray audio.

http://www.esstech.com/

Here is Twisted Pear Audio's DIY offering (unobtanium for a while, I think the DACs are back ordered)

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

Just thought it might be something worth looking at.   

Hope you are well.
-Aaron.

[hagtech]

No, I hadn't heard of it.  Not until now.  So how does one get a DSD stream to feed into it?

jh

[MusicMtnMonkey]

I was thinking the same thing, how do you transfer DSD information to the DAC.  Was wondering if you could DIY a HDMI connection?  (I think you can do DSD over the most recent HDMI specs??)

My opinion, I love the Hagtech products, but a 16 bit DAC wouldn't be worth it to me.  If I took the trouble to DIY, I'd want to be able to at least accept 24/96 PCM data...

Those Twisted Pear DAC products seem to be quite popular at head-fi.org

No, I hadn't heard of it.  Not until now.  So how does one get a DSD stream to feed into it?

jh

[TomS]

No, I hadn't heard of it.  Not until now.  So how does one get a DSD stream to feed into it?

jh

DSD is just one of the options on the Twisted Pear Buffalo (Sabre) DAC.  SPDIF and I2S work fine too.  Some people have tapped into the DSD stream internally on Denon DVD/SACD players to get it into the Buffalo.  Not sure of the cabling/connector options as it's rather non-standard approach.

[schnak]

Hi,
 I was one of the lucky few to receive a TPA Buffalo DAC on the first shipment. It is a wonderful sounding dac. I use it spdif in with the TPA Ivy as an output. Read the threads for connection questions. It can do most types of data and if it doesnt you can get an answer from the TPA guys or the manufacture of the dac. Great people to deal with. Almost as good as Jim!

[dweekie]

I've been eying this dac for the past few months, but it isn't easy to grab a board from the Twisted Pear guys (understandable given the demand and their hobby status).  The output stage is the big question mark overall, with a new output stage in the works (named Counterpoint).  One thing I have considered is this tube output stage add-on (http://www.diyhifisupply.com/?q=node/408).  I haven't gone through the details of how they'll match since I am unsure of how the tube circuit works (ESS Sabre is a V out dac).  A Hagerman tube output stage would be a very interesting module....... 

[orpheus]

No, I hadn't heard of it.  Not until now.  So how does one get a DSD stream to feed into it?

jh

Jim,
   I believe from reading the Twisted Pear site that you can get DSD from an HDMI connection.  It might be an interesting DAC chip to look at, since it can do all formats, and has a great reputation for sound.  I thought it looked good enough to bring to your attention, in case you were considering a converter that could handle blu ray and other high resolusion formats.

Best,
Aaron.

[Yoda]

I haven't gone through the details of how they'll match since I am unsure of how the tube circuit works (ESS Sabre is a V out dac).  A Hagerman tube output stage would be a very interesting module....... 

A HagDAC +based on this or similar multi format chip that plugs into the chime platform would be really keen...

Matt

[hagtech]

There are other multi-format DAC chips out there.  One does not need 8 channels for stereo.  The PCM1739 or whatever, very popular in DACS these days takes all the same inputs.  Has built-in filter.  Very nice.  Does not sound as good as the venerable old PCM1704.  The problem with a lot of these super-integrated chips is that you cannot put the reclocking right where you need it.  You have to compromise.  Same with the power supply pins.  Ok, call me old fashioned.  I prefer a DAC chip that lets me "talk" to it, and is not super-integrated with a filter and receiver and other channels, etc.

But go ahead, try it out.  Give us your honest opinions.

jh