Easy I2S from Juli@ PCI sound card

[nopietns]

Your measurements are as good verification as data from any specsheets.
And BTW if someone's got interest, just got a reply from Giuseppe that the NS M192 should be able to lock to any signal exceeding 2V.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahlhaus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Now that nopietns has verified that Envy chip has 3.3V I2S signal, I wonder which converter should I use? 3.3V-to-5V one or 1.65V-to-2.5V one?

If the Envy chip needs 3.3V, use an I2S source that provides 3.3V levels. What is the point in trying to get the best sound quality if it is just compromised by something silly like this?

Steve N.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopietns /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your measurements are as good verification as data from any specsheets. And BTW if someone's got interest, just got a reply from Giuseppe that the NS M192 should be able to lock to any signal exceeding 2V. Another thing - what does the VSS in the OP stand for?

I have driven the Northstar 192 I2S bus with both 3.3V and 5V I2S from my Off-Ramp I2S. The 3.3V does work, but it just does not sound as good. When you are this close to the bottom of the waveform, it just adds too much jitter. Need to be more in the middle where the transition is detected, where the jitter is minimal.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

 

[nopietns]

audioengr, would You say that M192 + eventually getiing an Off-Ramp be a good combination? Or are there better out there? Only now I'm beginning to take interest in the Off-Ramp. Maybe I'll have to start the search for the best "reasonable priced" PC-as-transport system from the beginning and te-think all the options.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopietns /img/forum/go_quote.gif audioengr, would You say that M192 + eventually getiing an Off-Ramp be a good combination? Or are there better out there? Only now I'm beginning to take interest in the Off-Ramp.

It's a great combo. The best way to drive the Northstar is with I2S, and the best I2S interface (I think the only one), is the Off-Ramp for Northstar (5V I2S). The Revelation Silver Cryo Reference I2S cable is also great. I offer a special one just for this scenerio.

I would recommend mods to the I2S input on the 192 as well or the benefits will be reduced. The 192 is one of my most popular mods right now, but I will be stopping all mods by end of the year in favor of my Overdrive DAC:
Overdrive USB DAC updates - formerly Daytona

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

 

[nopietns]

Well, a modded NS M192 is a bit too pricey for me, but thanks for Your answers and clarifications, audioengr.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopietns /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, a modded NS M192 is a bit too pricey for me, but thanks for Your answers and clarifications, audioengr.

This is one of my least expensive mods, at $900. You can pick up a 192 used for less than $1K. This is really cheap for a world-class DAC. Beats practically everything.

Steve N.

 

[nopietns]

I can get a new M192 from the local shop for about 900$, but to get the I should send it to You till the end of this year, I guess.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopietns /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can get a new M192 from the local shop for about 900$, but to get the I should send it to You till the end of this year, I guess.

This may be the last one I mod, so I would do this soon. Contact me using the "contact us" button on my website:
Interconnects and Cables by Empirical Audio

 

[dahlhaus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioengr /img/forum/go_quote.gif If the Envy chip needs 3.3V, use an I2S source that provides 3.3V levels. What is the point in trying to get the best sound quality if it is just compromised by something silly like this? Steve N.

Oh, I'm so frustrated!
I'd rather keep coaxial connected.

 

[FallenAngel]

So the M192 needs > 3V I2S, preferably 5V. What does the Juli@ put out?

 

[dahlhaus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif So the M192 needs > 3V I2S, preferably 5V. What does the Juli@ put out?

Juli@ outputs 3.3V I2S signal. That's why I'm disappointed.

 

[FallenAngel]

The M192 being still a very nice DAC, it might be well worth it to drive it from I2S anyway. I'm trying to snag the one FS now (offer already made, hopefully it hasn't sold in the last few hours) and I'll build a breakout cable for my Juli@.

Within the next few weeks, I'll be testing a few transports against it.
1) ChainTech AV-710 Optical (Via Envy24HT-S)
2) ESI Juli@ Optical (Via Envy24HT-S)
2) ESI Juli@ I2S (Via Envy24HT-S)
4) EMU 0404 PCI Optical (EMU E-DSP?)
5) EMU 0404 PCI Coax (EMU E-DSP?) - Will likely mod this card for BNC Coax-only, if not simply attach a 6' coax cable with single BNC on the end.

I also have another DAC, Forte F-50a, that I'll try to compare transports for and hope to have a reasonably comprehensive writeup, although that would likely take weeks.


Although this is mostly a question for audioengr as he seems most active in this thread - would upgrading the crystal oscillators on the ESI Juli@ be worth the trouble and cost?

 

[uhcmos1]

My multimeter says the voltage of the signal is half the normal.
The three clock pins are 1.65V while the data pin is only 0.85V.
The multimeter reads 5V normally from USB.

 

[audioengr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Although this is mostly a question for audioengr as he seems most active in this thread - would upgrading the crystal oscillators on the ESI Juli@ be worth the trouble and cost?

Upgrading oscillators is always a good idea. If this osc. is used to clock the outgoing data stream, it is critical.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio