@abartels - let's see if this one is any closer (i'm hoping it is), looks like 3 clocks. " three clocks: 27Mhz digi+ clone, plus dual 24.5476/22.5792"  This one is 'coming soon', so maybe there is a chance to influence its design.     " Someone asked about making a Pi hat with I2S to...

The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel, seems to rate the Audiophonics DAC I SABRE V3 0 for Raspberry Pi better sounding than the Hifiberry DAC+ Pro     Any thoughts on this? It starts getting interesting about 2:50 into the video

Just added a few images to help the explanations here about HiFiberry DAC+ PRO         It's nice to keep all the info close to abartels useful explanation.

@abartels - Thanks for the Rasberry Pi (clock and I2S) explanation, that info is very useful.   I thought this was intersting too:  "Bryston has just announced that it is working on a brand new digital music player called the BDP-π that will replace the company’s BDP-1 digital player. Built...

There also seems to be a Python library used on Raspberry Pi platforms to control GPIO pins.   https://up-community.org/UpWiki/index.php/RPi.GPIO   In addition to GPIO control, it is also used by many other libraries to query the Raspberry Pi hardware version as header pin layouts differed...

A friend of mine has the Audiophonics Rasberry Pi 2 with Sabre V3 and says that it sounds GREAT.  Here is a link to the finished one that he bought: http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/appareils-hifi-dac/audiophonics-raspdac-network-player-raspberry-pi-20-dac-sabre-v3-p-10369.html        ...

Just a little report back about my experience with my SMSL M8 (purchased via massdrop).   I use it connected to my Mac via USB using a Light Harmonic LightSpeed 10G USB cable.   I have an old Panasonic DVD-L10, that has been sitting around for 10 years, so I tried connecting it to the M8 DAC...

I will put some info in here, hopefully to see if we can shed some more light on this particular issue. General rules to get bit-perfect are general, so there might be other factors at play with different hardware.   Quote: You said previously, that you DAC outputs 2V.  If the music clips...

No this is not the best way to get the most out of your equipment.  You should always run your DAC at 100%, use the Vali is your main volume control - Does that make sense?

It  I'm running Yosemite 10.10.5, and the keyboard volume control isn't meant to work. However there have been times when it did.  I read somewhere that it might be due to drivers & that when you are running the DAC in 32bit mode it might work (so either force the DAC if your players allows...

Just go here , register on MassDrop, and hit the request button on the X12 https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gustard-dac-x12-usb-version. You will get an email as soon as 200 other people request it to, and it becomes available again.   From what you said about the buzz in your system, it looks...

I understand exactly what you are saying about buying the best that you can at the time.  In my case I was originally looking 'wanting' to spend 1000s on a DAC; I took a chance on the M8 & I'm happy that I had the left over extra money to spend on other items (USB cables, AC Regenerator power...

Better to use reasonable quality right angled RCA plugs, maybe something like these: http://www.hificollective.co.uk/catalog/components/connectors/rca-phono-plugs/switchcraft   You will need to check the length of the RCA plug housing, maybe you can find something shorter, or just use them in...

I bought my M8 via MassDrop, so any warranty issues are directly with them. The M8 replaced an Audio Engine D1 (which was OK) but it was USB powered & no way as clear as the M8.   In terns of component quality (I have 2 AudioEngine products) and will never buy again, they use cheap unknown...

I have been discussing volume levels with a very trusted audio friend. In my case, Software player volume is at 100% on my Mac > DAC volume is at 100% (important) > Vali 2 (this preamp used as main volume control) > main tube amp volume 100% (the main tube amp sounds best when running at 100%)...

1 day left on the SMSL M8 DAC on MassDrop website: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/smsl-m8.  At $149.99 I think this is a well advised buy  

Schiit Modi 2 uses AKM4396, Schiit Bifrost uses AKM Verita AK4490, SMSL M8 uses Sabre ES9018K2M.  If you are going to upgrade to JBL 530s th Schiit Modi 2 uses AKM4396, Schiit Bifrost uses AKM Verita AK4490, SMSL M8 uses Sabre ES9018K2M. Whatever DAC you buy, you will only really hear...

I've been thinking about this issue with filters & linear power supplies.  The way I see it is even if the 0s & 1s data comes across perfect, there still might be an opamp inside the DAC that controls the 2V signal out of the DAC. So if your 5V power into the DAC is a little under, or the 5V...

I tend to aggree with you that the cable & or 'decrapifiers' can 'change' the sound from your DAC.  I was a little sceptical at first thinking digital 0s & 1s is digital verbatim.  Take a look at this video called "Audiophile USB Cables - Are they worth...

This is the only review of the SMSL Sanskrit Pro that I could find: http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/info/hi-res-guide/s-m-s-l-sanskrit-pro-up-to-24-bit177669   - and a review of the whole SMSL Panda stack on the same...

I am undecided as to whether to buy the SMSL M8 or the SMSL Sanskrit PRO-B. I wonder if anyone has both who can give us a comparison?   I see that the AK4390EF is the same chip used here http://www.diyinhk.com/shop/audio-kits/68-768khz32bit-ak4490eq-dac-i2sdsd-input.html​