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Which DIY DAC? (Opus? Buffalo? Any other contenders?)

post #1 of 12
2/4/11 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 

Hey guys,

 

I am having a hard time deciding which DAC to buy.

I find that my current DAC is very lacking in dynamics and I think it's time for a change.

 

 

I really liked the DAC that my (now broken) ipod had. Some sort of Wolfson DAC, and therefore I figured I might want to get an OPUS DAC.

 

 

After pricing out the OPUS DAC, I find that it will cost me about $200 + input transformers.

The buffalo DAC would end up costing me about $300 + input transformers. (or Legato?)

 

$300 doesn't seem like that much more if the buffalo dac is -that- much better.

 

I looked into NOS DACs, but the "reference" versions all seemed to be expensive, but this is certainly an option. (DDDAC?)

 

 

Dynamics are my number one goal with the DAC, but detail resolution is also important.

 

 

I would really appreciate any comments.

Thanks

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post #2 of 12
2/4/11 at 11:54am

I would suggest the AMB Gamma-2. It uses a Wolfson WM8741 which I think the Opus also uses. If you build it with its recommended case then you can't do balanced audio out. There are balanced out options on the Gamma-2 PCB, but you'd have to do your own case work along with air wiring to make this happen. I think with everything from Mouser, Digikey, and AMB the cost came out to somewhere around $180. If you do your own panel work then it would be $45 less. Hope that helps.

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post #3 of 12
2/4/11 at 12:04pm

I have a hard time believing you'll fit a Buffalo2 in $300, my build is at about $800 so far, but I'm spending about $200 on casework.

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post #4 of 12
2/4/11 at 12:30pm

I had the Buffalo v1 and the OPUS, sonically the Buffalo is definitely better. Edge definition and imaging are two of the area where the differences are not subtle. I'd imagine the Buffalo 32 compounds this further because it incorprates a series of power and layout modifications that help get the best from the ESS DAC. Given the choice I would pay the extra for the Buffalo every time unless budget constrained, in which case the Opus will do you just fine...

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post #5 of 12
2/4/11 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 

fallenangle, perhaps I am missing something?

 

First, there are two qualifiers for my price. (perhaps "pricing out" was bad wording)

a) It doesn't contain anything but the core components...

The amount that the case, plugs, switches, etc. costs isn't going to change based on which DAC I get.

Therefore, it's not necessary in comparing between different DACs

 

b) My output stage is going to be transformers, notice those were added to the cost. Those aren't cheap. (Somewhere between $100 and $300 for a pair)

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post #6 of 12
2/4/11 at 11:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel View Post

I have a hard time believing you'll fit a Buffalo2 in $300, my build is at about $800 so far, but I'm spending about $200 on casework.


So about $600 to get a working Buffalo II...that sound right?  

 

 

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post #7 of 12
2/5/11 at 12:39am

One advantage the 32 bit buffalo does hold over the Wolfson is that you can add a digital attenuator in the form of the Volumite. You shoud get increased levels of resolution going this route over a potentiometer in your amp... 

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post #8 of 12
2/7/11 at 6:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by raja View Post

One advantage the 32 bit buffalo does hold over the Wolfson is that you can add a digital attenuator in the form of the Volumite. You shoud get increased levels of resolution going this route over a potentiometer in your amp... 



While this is true, I don't plan on using a pot in my amp.

Hrm...

 

Still not sure what to do.

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post #9 of 12
2/9/11 at 10:04am

while transformers is OK with sabre dac, its really not ideal, because it forces the dac into a rudimentary voltage out mode, this is quite a lot lower performance than current output, often ~100db DNR vs 135db. better off going for a voltage output dac if you are going to use transformers for your line/output stage IMO

 

and regarding above, sure you could make a 'working' buffalo II with 600, but it would be a waste and IMO you would get better performance building a cheaper dac properly

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post #10 of 12
2/9/11 at 10:10am

you could look at the ackolabs AKD-20, AKD-26 which use sabre dacs and have many things integrated including a hirez USB input. the AKD-12/AKD-12P is well over your budget, but worth a mention

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post #11 of 12
2/24/11 at 11:42pm

Hi,

 

some months ago I went with Spencer's DAC (http://fetaudio.com/).  I can highly recommend it:  Sound is vital and has a deep soundstage.  I tried both, the single pcb version with only one DAC chip, and the 2 pcb version.  The balanced version with two pcbs has more dynamics and power, the extra money is worth the result.

 

Also Spencer is a helpful person which responds within minutes. His parts are top-notch and on his web site he regularly publishes minor upgrades you can make yourself.

 

Daniel

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post #12 of 12
2/25/11 at 12:02am

Think of it this way:

 

Minimum working OPUS for spdif (without PS) is OPUS DAC plus OPUS receiver =$150

Minimum working Buffalo II (without PS) is just the Buffalo II board = $250

 

So for $100 more you get a much better clock, much better local regulators and bypass capacitors, a shut PS for the analog section and a built in ASRC running at 1.5Mhz

 

Both can be fitted with digital volume control (volumite)

Upgrading PS is easier with the Buffalo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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