Twisted Pear Buffalo Sabre DAC

[rodentmacbeastie]

Originally Posted by Russ White

The THS4131 is as close to ideal as I have even found for differential IV.

Many people are scared off by the product info page which shows the THD at -80db. What they don't seem to understand is that this is at 1mhz!!! with no filter!! At 20khz is is well below -120db and at 1Khz the distortion floor is far below the noise floor for loads > 1K. And its stll awesome even into 90 ohms!!!

Super symmetry is a great solution for I/V. I have tried all sorts of schemes and have come up with two I like best.

The THS4131 (with is a bit better believe it or not than it OPA cousin) and a discrete version I have created which can deliver a bit more current.

I am a huge believer in balanced and fully symmetrical systems.

Cheers!
Russ

How does the discrete one sound compared to the IVY?

[Russ White]

Originally Posted by rodentmacbeastie

How does the discrete one sound compared to the IVY?

I can't hear a difference, they both seem perfectly transparent to me.

But I know some will prefer the discrete circuit. So I undertook to design it.

Cheers!
Russ

[Russ White]

Originally Posted by rodentmacbeastie

So Brian and Russ, you'll have to keep us updated as to stock because it looks like I am all go for a Buffalo, IVY, and ps from you guys. Do you have answers for my other two questions? How good is the onboard volume control compared to yours or a good stepped attenuator? And is there going to be a problem with DSD, I2S, and S/PDIF inputs and if not, how do i switch them?

It should just be a few weeks.

Honestly,the Sabre's on board volume control is possibly better than any analog solution you could dream up. Simply because there is no escaping the noise passive components add to the picture in any attenuator.

I have been using he Sabre's digital volume control for a week now, and I can say it is solid.

So my preference would be to use the Sabre's volume control when you can.

SPDIF, DSD, and I2S are all tested and work fine. You just need to decide at install time which you want to use as it will effect wiring a little.

Switching between them while installed can be done, but will require a little more work.

Cheers!
Russ

[akione]

Having just added the IVY as the output stage/headphone driver of my pre-amp/Dac,

I'm very surprised that the THS4131 isn't used more often. (I suppose it's 'cos it's balanced ).

The sound is very clear and detailed using Opus as source and balanced HD580's.

I find it very difficult to fault it. This chip is absolute 'magic'

I now have a redundant Beta22

[borisov57]

Couple of years ago, I have made a dac with THS4131's cousin as I/V. It sounded good, but nothing to write home about. Maybe I should try 4131 in the future.

[rodentmacbeastie]

In regards to the S/PDIF, I2S, and DSD, how would you suggest wiring a switch?

[Russ White]

Originally Posted by rodentmacbeastie

In regards to the S/PDIF, I2S, and DSD, how would you suggest wiring a switch?

It would be possible but not simple.

I don't think I would recommend it for most. You should choose what type of input you want at design time, then wire it up for that.

The board has an DIP switch for changing modes, but you would have to use relays or switches to change the inputs.

Cheers!
Russ

[sleepy dan]

Originally Posted by Russ White

Honestly,the Sabre's on board volume control is possibly better than any analog solution you could dream up. Simply because there is no escaping the noise passive components add to the picture in any attenuator.

The problem with this sort of volume control is that you lose performance (THD, noise) in the D/A process according to how much attenuation you use. There's no free lunch!

If using digital attenuation it's worthwhile getting rid of any excess gain in the analog chain.

[Russ White]

This is true of analog attenuation is well. The lower the signal level the less well defined it becomes.

Brian and I have sent a complete DAC up to Dustin and he will be doing a full battery of THD/DNR tests on the Buffalo.

Hopefully it measures as good as it sounds.

Cheers!
Russ

[rodentmacbeastie]

Originally Posted by Russ White

This is true of analog attenuation is well. The lower the signal level the less well defined it becomes.

Brian and I have sent a complete DAC up to Dustin and he will be doing a full battery of THD/DNR tests on the Buffalo.

Hopefully it measures as good as it sounds.

Cheers!
Russ

Thanks Russ, but I could not give a rat's ass how it measures! I am one of those people who believe in subjective analiysis and qualatative answers! I like taking an EXPERIENCED listener's OPINION of the sound, not just a spec sheet. If all that was important was the spec sheet so one can PROVE that it is better, who would care about the sound? Vocabulary, literature, and our senses and perception have been all but abolished. Soon, with our newspeak, we will not find it easy to convey emation and all that with be left is the fact are we are prescribed! GIVE ME HYPERBOLE RUSS, TELL HOW GOOD THAT FRIGGIN' DAC SOUNDS, BE PROUD, BE LOUD! Of course you have the right to at least a little one sided opinion, this is your baby! I do not know of a parent that is not proud when their kids perform well, do you? If the world was all ones and zeros... Hey wait, are we already there?

[BrianDonegan]

[redacted]

[Russ White]

Hi Rodent,

I guess I need to take a creative writing class or something because I suck at writing about my gear. I prefer to put more effort into design than I do promotion. I listen to my own gear so I want it to be the best I can do.

I think the Buffalo project is my best work so far. It sounds just wonderful. Its a DAC that does not get in the way. You really don't know its there. the blacks are black and the whites are white. Everything in between is faithfully rendered.

So - from my purely subjective point of view - I could not be happier with it, and every listening session is pure pleasure and leaves me wanting more.

Cheers!
Russ

[rodentmacbeastie]

What do you mean you creative writing skills suck? That is just the reference I like to hear, pride and modesty at the same time(pride alone is just arrogance). You should run for office. These are noble traits. As for the black and white description, perfect! This is my language as well. EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE, GREY IS JUST PLAIN LAZY!

Sorry for the caps, but people need to hear it me thinks! Before I go on a rant, I would like to state that I have NEVER seen, touched, or heard ANY of their products and only care to comment on the dudes themselves. So here is my black and white response... I am very pleased that folks like Brian and Russ are out there! Their black and white approach, just covered above, has obviously trickled down into the customer service and satifaction end and thus creating a responsible manufacturer that has put choice in our hands. They are on these threads day in day out(free advertising as well I guess, but just the facts no psycho-babble to sell you). All this in an effort to get what they want and to help us DIY(sort of), it is more like lego and thanks for that! All the best and I wish you success in the troubleed times ahead. Just by reading their posts I believe I have a good understanding of your nature and I will be happy to send you my money when you get the new boards(my money is my time to me and that is more valuable than gold)!

I can say that I have streamlined my life to fit into two duffle bags. To say that I have left room for the Buffalo is truly the best compliment I can give and I have not even heard it yet!

ps. One bag is 500 CD's, an SACD player, currently a pair of Audioengine 5's, HD650, and soon to be an Aikido amp and Buffalo DAC. The othe bag is all of my clothes(don't need many in Asia when I go back) and everything else important to me! Take note, NO TV, NO CELL, NO JEWELRY, NO CREDIT CARDS, NO DEBT, NO HOUSE, NO CAR, NO NOTHING EXCEPT DIGNITY AND HAPPINESS! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the one thing I have that does not fit into the bags... A network of friends that i am pround to say are some of the most worldy and caring that I have ever met. So much so that I am known for two popular quotes and the one that applies:

"If a man's wealth was based on the quality of his friends, WOO HOO I AM F@#*NG RICH!"

[TheRobbStory]

All well and good. What does any of this have to do with the new offering from Twisted Pear?

Back on topic..

[BradJudy]

Originally Posted by Russ White

It should just be a few weeks.
So my preference would be to use the Sabre's volume control when you can.

Forgive my limited understanding, but I assume accessing the Sabre's volume control means attaching a control board to the I2C pads on the Buffalo? If so, are there recommendations on control board options for those of us who aren't of the level to roll our own from scratch?

I'm thinking of building a Twisted Pear DAC after my move this summer, so I'm pondering my options. I'm not certain if I want to take the Buffalo or Opus route and if I go Buffalo, if I should do the digital volume control or not (that probably depends more on my intended application).

Thanks - Brad