Heres the big old thing I got directed to when I asked about it:
Not sure if you've been following up but our thread is designing a unit codenamed project H
It will be the size of a Schiit Asgard if not smaller.
It is a budget unit for people in our thread that want price to performance ratio
It is composed of:
An Custom Objective 2 Amplifier with Burr Brown op amps(2134 or 2228 or whatever you want)
A custom PCB with microprocessor for I/O and controls
Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC with optical or coaxil(choose one) input for 192KHz and USB for 48KHz
Basically the idea is that as you can easily make and DIY these in HK where our friend Borisu is, this will work. Many of the steps have been cleared already
The O2 and the DAC will retain their inputs or outputs. Meaing the DAC will have its own RCA fixed line out on the back and the O2 will retain its RCA input on the back as well. This is where the microproccessor custom board that was made by Borisu comes in. The two parts themselves generally function as one internally but with this complex middle man, it will be safely and easily switchable so that you can just be using the CS4398 and use some other amp you just got from the store with it or use the O2 with another DAC you just got, using a switch was the first thought but that would be unsafe as from Borisu's calculations, you can fry a unit if you forget to switch it.
The mounting and types of screws and switches are being designed in CAD or 3D design shops right now but most of the buttons should be push in and side illuminated(think the power button on the E17).
The case will be custom made as well.
Our target price total, after parts, borisu building these, initial costs as he needs to pay for the recuperation of the custom designs, him building it, the mass 10 boards he will be getting for O2's and total shipping form HK to U.S.A or HK to anywhere is expected to be $150-$200
It will use a 6.3mm headphone jack of course.
We now have 3-4 people getting it, with 5, we may be able to drop total cost down to $130.
The CS4398 is Cirrus Logics FLAGSHIP, I do not have exp with WM8740 in E17 and CS4398 but Kiteki, you know who that is, has, and he prefers the CS4398. As it sounds less digital in his words and much more natural.
It will have USB and S/PDIF
its amp section is a REAL FULL Objective amplifier inside it with Burr Brown op amps
the DAC and amp will retain their RCA inputs and outputs. How?
With a custom PCB with a CPU onboard controlling it so you can still use the DAC with any other amp you buy new
or with the O2 you can use any other DAC as they will have RCA inputs and out on the back controled by a custom PCB. It will be housed in a custom case the siz eof if not smaller than a Schiit Asgard
price after shipping and workman costs if we get 5 people (we have 3-4) is about $150 if not LOWER.
6.3mm (1/4) inch headphone jack output
and push in light up switches like the power button on the E17 Haiby didn't want it
if you want one, you can pre order it for $30+
