DDC - Digital USB interfaces - Xmos or Amanero Combo384 based - Raspberry Pi - HifiBerry DAC+ Pro - reviews, comparison, modifications and USB-Audio in general

[abartels]

Hi all,
 
Started this thread since nowadays most people use USB as their preferred connection method.
There are several options like XMOS and Amanero Combo384, and there are lots of DDC's available worldwide.
 
For the ones who are new to this subject, feel free to read the other related threads, some of them are closed, others aren't.
 
From member rb2013
http://www.head-fi.org/t/736294/gustard-u12-usb-interface-8-core-xmos-chip
 
From member abartels
http://www.head-fi.org/t/767935/melodious-mx-u8-usb-interface-8-core-xmos-chip
 
From member norrest
http://www.head-fi.org/t/787723/audio-gd-amanero-combo-xmos-u8-using-and-update
 
 
Please share your experiences, ask any question you may have, TRY to be on topic and last but definitely not least, please keep being polite 

 
  

 

 
Wish you all a lot of fun and listening pleasure 

 
 
Regards,
 
Alex

 

[auvgeek]

For those interested, the latest USB DDC rankings from the U12 thread are as follows:
 
rb2013's rankings:
 
Quote:

 
DXIO Silver/TeraDak DC-30W/Cerious     130
PUC2 Lite TeraDak X1/FR caps/Cerious    125
DXIO Black/TeraDak DC-30W/Cerious      118 unit not working properly
PUC2 Lite - USB power                          110
Breeze with Cerious Graphene                108
Breeze DU-U8 (Talema version)                98
Breeze DU-U8 (BingZi version)                 95
Hydra Z with LPS                                    92
Melodious MX-U8 (upgraded caps)             85
Melodious MX-U8 (stock)                          81
Gustard U12 (upgraded caps)                    76
Gustard U12 stock                                   72
iDAC DAC2 (used as a DDC)                      65
Musiland USB3.0 US Dragon                      65
M2Tech EVO with LPS                               60
Audiophileo 2                                          50
M2Tech Hiface                                         40

 
bimmer100's rankings (note the different scale):

REALITY - 100
Pro3A Silver TOP - not going to find out 
Pro3A Black TOP - not going to find out
Pro3A YELLOW TOP fed from USB power from PPA3 usb/Paul Hynes Sr3 PSU (I own this one lol) - 85
Pro3A YELLOW TOP fed from teradak DC30W 1mV noise (I own this one lol) - 84.
Pro3A YELLOW TOP fed from standard USB port(ax1200 corsair psu with 10mV noise) (I own this one lol) - 83
Breeze+ Cerious GE cable - ??? soon to find out
Breeze - ??? soon to find out
DIU8 mod + Cerious GE + Crystek 957  - ??? 
DIU8 stock + Cerious GE - 81
DIU8 stock +SRTesla T1SE- 81
Melodious MX-U8 + 957 crystek - 80
U12 modded (957s, panny caps, bellison regulator, dc linear input from TeraDak DC30W 7V) - T1SE- 79
Melodious MX-U8 stock - 78
Amanero Combo 384 (stock audiogd class A powered implementation -  fed from USB power from PPA3 usb/Paul Hynes Sr3 PSU) - 77
U12 stock +Cerious GE (powered from AC regenerator and 20uV noise linear powered source for 5v usb power) - 76
U12 stock +SRTesla T1SE (powered from AC regenerator and 20uV noise linear powered source for 5v usb power) - 76

 

[defbear]

I've subscribed. Even though I have superior soldering skills, I'm not sure if I belong here . I have the Audio-gd Master 11 with the Amanero USB board. Add a tablet or laptop and it's a pretty clean setup. If there is a 'better' USB solution than Amanero I'm open to it.

 

[hgpsemaj]

From my own experience, my Amanero Combo384 has outpaced Xmos/Gustard U12. And I've been told 'Raspberry PI 2' could be a better alternative, but I'm worrying my AK4495SEQ DAC may not be suitable for the 'Raspberry PI 2'.
 

 

[hugoboss]

i just found a newer xmos ddc it said double the current xmos u8 500mips
the name is XMOS XU208 it claim double the u8 performance now it is 1000 mips
 
the product is here
 
http://world.taobao.com/item/525303585106.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-254628591.11.FBXsJT
 
but iam curious why it is cheaper than any xmos u8 device like gustard, breeze and melodius
anyone have try this new generation xmos 1000 mips?
plz give some thoughts
 
 

 
 

 

[conquerator2]

  i just found a newer xmos ddc it said double the current xmos u8 500mips
the name is XMOS XU208 it claim double the u8 performance now it is 1000 mips
 
the product is here
 
http://world.taobao.com/item/525303585106.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-254628591.11.FBXsJT
 
but iam curious why it is cheaper than any xmos u8 device like gustard, breeze and melodius
anyone have try this new generation xmos 1000 mips?
plz give some thoughts
 
 

 
 

No case, no power supply, only coax output. This is pretty much a DIY board 

 

 

[robertsong]

Well I just got the Crystek 957's and I successfully replaced the stock Breeze DU-U8 clocks. I hear a subtle difference but too early to tell if better or worse. I'm gonna give them some burn-in time. Will report back soon.
 
 

 

 

[hugoboss]

  No case, no power supply, only coax output. This is pretty much a DIY board 

 

do u think this new xmos 1000 mips worth to wait until someone assembly a full chassis with power supply , case, any audiophile circuit
i will hold my wallet if this new xmos 1000 mips chip really double the performance of u8

 

[hgpsemaj]

Re: XMOS XU208
 

 
 
The manufacturer claims this Xmos XU208 USB Interface requires 5V to operate via the USB input:
 
有關 'X-1數字界面 模塊 XU208 全網首發 最新XMOS USB界面 U8升級版', RMB369.00 / 一塊,



它需要從USB口輸入5V電嗎?

18:53​

 



xiu305470199

需要的



xiu305470199

你也可以自己改外置供电的。

 

[auvgeek]

  Well I just got the Crystek 957's and I successfully replaced the stock Breeze DU-U8 clocks. I hear a subtle difference but too early to tell if better or worse. I'm gonna give them some burn-in time. Will report back soon.
 

Very interested in your findings here. Please let us know after they've had some time to burn-in.

 

[abartels]

  i just found a newer xmos ddc it said double the current xmos u8 500mips
the name is XMOS XU208 it claim double the u8 performance now it is 1000 mips
 
the product is here
 
http://world.taobao.com/item/525303585106.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4002-254628591.11.FBXsJT
 
but iam curious why it is cheaper than any xmos u8 device like gustard, breeze and melodius
anyone have try this new generation xmos 1000 mips?
plz give some thoughts
 
 

 
 

 
 
This looks like a very nice board, newest XMOS and it has spdif AND i2s onboard! It seems they also use 3x NDK TCXO's 

 
Sadly it hasn't isolated power for crystals and xmos 

 
It is too expensive to buy for testing purposes only,,,,,
 
But, anyway, thanks for this very nice find!
 
 
Regards,
 
Alex

 

[abartels]

 

  No case, no power supply, only coax output. This is pretty much a DIY board 

 

do u think this new xmos 1000 mips worth to wait until someone assembly a full chassis with power supply , case, any audiophile circuit
i will hold my wallet if this new xmos 1000 mips chip really double the performance of u8

 
Yes, I would wait, or, at least wait till someone compares it with Amanero board

 

[hgpsemaj]

Re: Xmos/XU208
 
This is the Gustard's answer to Xmos/XU208: 
 

 
It's supposedly to built for it's DAC - X20, Mr. Huang of Gustard claims it doesn't consume 5V via USB input, and costs RMB380 (i.e. excluding postage & delivery.)

 

[hgpsemaj]

The manufacturer of AK4495SEQ DAC informed me that their AK4495SEQ DAC is not suitable for Raspberry PI.
 
 
Regards,

 

[genclaymore]

  Re: Xmos/XU208
 
This is the Gustard's answer to Xmos/XU208: 
 

 
It's supposedly to built for it's DAC - X20, Mr. Huang of Gustard claims it doesn't consume 5V via USB input, and costs RMB380 (i.e. excluding postage & delivery.)

I wonder would it work inside the X12, as the X12 also have a plug like that inside it.