Taking orders :)

[Doc B]

Good headway today. PB finished up the latest prototype and we got a few minutes of quite impressive sound. Two good steps forward besides sonics - the sample rate was being properly identified, and the TOSLINK connection was working perfectly, even with a rather recalcitrant Mac Mini that wouldn't talk to the previous iteration of the DAC without a reclock thru an external sound card.

Unfortunately some electronic component in our prototype power supply was fading out after a few minutes so we weren't able to do an extended listen. Staring at the sucker under the big magnifier on the lab bench for maybe 20 minutes convinced me that we needed to try the power supply we designed without it being connected to the DAC. Son of a gun, the negative rail was going south after a few minutes. Not exactly sure why, but it seems to be a filter cap issue. We have some new parts on order that should resolve the issue, and I will share our extended listening impressions as soon as we have the necessary adjustments completed.

In the few minutes that we were able to listen this afternoon there was definitely some magic happening. If you have heard the old proto, this is a step up.

 

[xcortes]

I like the phrases magic and impressive sound in the same post! Redbook rez?

 

[tdogzthmn]

I'm really looking forward to being able to play my 96K and 192K files via USB!  My library of hi rez tracks is growing and a DAC able to handle these is important. 

 

[johnsonad]

Can you tell us what tubes you are considering in the output stage? We realize that it may change still.

 

[jrebman]

Wow, sounds verry good and promising.  if you can get 24/192 via usb 2.0 out of the gate, then I'll be much more intersted.

-- Jim

 

[Doc B]

Yes we were playing 44.1 files yesterday. Since we have a new board coming in about three weeks this prototype board is mostly just for working up our layout and was just set up for 44.1/48. The next one will be capable up to at least 192 and have USB2.0 in the basic configuration as well as SPDIF

At the moment we are using 6922s but that is subject to change as the chip we are looking at for the next board has different output requirements.

 

[debk]

Very cool, I am looking forward to the final product

Deb

 

[BNAL]

I'm going to hold tight onlooking at other DACs and wait for the this one. I will start looking at a media server based on what Jim R has been doing.

Ok, now I have some time to look for a turntable.

 

[xcortes]

Thanks for the answer. My Electrocompaniet emc1up just arrived. They build this transport starting from a Philips pro transport and taking care of vibrations "as if it was a turntable". Haven't seen her in the flesh but very soon. As I've said the simplicity of cds is paramount for me in this system. Having said that, in my experience, high rez is notably superior and someday I will add a server for the ever more recurrent late nights at the office.

Saludos

 

[dw]

Will the DAC be able to handle DSD files natively?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Doc B]

We are using a PCM DAC chip, no native DSD.

Looks like I have sussed out our power supply issue. Gonna hook the DAC board back up to it and give it a spin after lunch.

 

[tdogzthmn]

Audirvana is a great program I've been using to play music from my iTunes library.  One of it's features is the ability to play DSD files natively or convert them to PCM.  It also plays FLAC which most OSX programs don't allow.  I've grown to like it much more than Amarra for its features and sound quality.   

 

[xcortes]

Ready....

 

[Doc B]

One nice thing about these programs is that one can download free demos and test drive them in their own system.

 

[dw]

I've been using AudioGate for converting DSD files to PCM/96Khz.
These sound quite good in my system, though its hard to tell if its the format or the
mastering or recording quality that makes it sound so good. I also have some
ripped CDs at 44.1khz that sound very good and a lot of ripped CDs that sound pretty
bad - very compressed.

Thanks for the tip on Audirvana.

I guess we need something that will conver DSD or DXD to 24/192 PCM for the
Bottlehead DAC.

-Dave

 

[Doc B]

It's working and sounding very nice. I think I'm picking up better resolution with this DAC than the one we have been using the last couple years. Need to play it some more and break in the caps, but it's working well. Hopefully we can get the next (and hopefully final) version running soon...

 

[denti alligator]

Hopefully we can get the next (and hopefully final) version running soon...

Holy shit! This is actually happening ...?  I predict it will be ready by Xmas, which would be great!

 

[grufti]

Any device with this level of complexity benefits from a beta test of sorts. It doesn't matter what label gets attached to the "real life encounter phase" it's always going to happen and the machine will typically end up better because of it. Right around Christmas is a good goal at this point, sorry, summer! I wonder, if the final version will retain the software/firmware update capability. The final I/V and the tube output stage should be able to handle any changes that happen further upstream, if and when they happen.

 

[BNAL]

I wonder if the new USB willwork with the SB Touch and EDO? I know that John Swenson has played with the SB products and would like to get his feedback on what source will work with the new USB input.

 

[johnsonad]

As I'm new to DAC's for the most part a question for ya.  Will I be able to have a computer plugged in via USB and a transport via something else at the same time?  If so do you need to switch between them or will the DAC recognize where the signal is coming from?

Thanks,

Aaron