HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC. 96khz/24bit - ES9023+TE7022 + USB to optical converter

[Thad E Ginathom]

Yes, but not from the PC USB bus.

I had a weird thing happening where, after turning on my powered speakers, the PC would have dropped the ODAC. Theory: the power glitch was enough for the PC to feel and affect USB, so take the ODAC power from elsewhere.

If I ever buy an "expensive" DAC then I'll look for future-proof specifications, but my own requirements are only for maximum 24/96, and the fact is that vast-majority of my music is going to be 16/44.1 for foreseeable future. So I am not fussed about higher-sampling-rate capabilities, let alone DSD.

This may be an age thing. If I was a lot younger, and actively building a music library, I might be more interested in the future-proof thing.

 

[theironhorse]

Yes, but not from the PC USB bus.

I had a weird thing happening where, after turning on my powered speakers, the PC would have dropped the ODAC. Theory: the power glitch was enough for the PC to feel and affect USB, so take the ODAC power from elsewhere.

If I ever buy an "expensive" DAC then I'll look for future-proof specifications, but my own requirements are only for maximum 24/96, and the fact is that vast-majority of my music is going to be 16/44.1 for foreseeable future. So I am not fussed about higher-sampling-rate capabilities, let alone DSD.

This may be an age thing. If I was a lot younger, and actively building a music library, I might be more interested in the future-proof thing.

i have noticed similar behaviour from my pc when sometimes i connect the external HDD the Odac will be dropped and back again or sometimes i have to just plug it in again.

will it affect the tiny Odac's hardware in a way that it might go bust completely ?
what possible solutions we have to avoid the same.


OT though : another query i have is do you guys leave the ODac connected to PC permanently as newer motherboards support USB charging even when off so ideally when the pc is off but the current is still on that means there is still 5V going to the ODac. is it ok ?

until now when i turn off the pc i disconnect the Odac as there are more electronics connected to the strip which needs power router/xtreamer etc which means power to the mobo as well 24 x7 .

 

[manniraj]

i have noticed similar behaviour from my pc when sometimes i connect the external HDD the Odac will be dropped and back again or sometimes i have to just plug it in again.

will it affect the tiny Odac's hardware in a way that it might go bust completely ?
what possible solutions we have to avoid the same.


OT though : another query i have is do you guys leave the ODac connected to PC permanently as newer motherboards support USB charging even when off so ideally when the pc is off but the current is still on that means there is still 5V going to the ODac. is it ok ?

until now when i turn off the pc i disconnect the Odac as there are more electronics connected to the strip which needs power router/xtreamer etc which means power to the mobo as well 24 x7 .

I think its always better to connect the DACs to the motherboards USB port rather to the internal case embedded port. I have an ODAC connected to a fanless PC and as such all the USB ports are on direct motherboard and I do not have these kind of issues. Also I run the fanless PC over a Microtek UPS. So you can try this if it is already not connected to the motherboard port.

Mine is always connected and my PC does not have the option of always power on USB on standby or when the power switch is on.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

--- I haven't noticed it to happen since I connected via powered hub

--- I leave the ODAC connected permanently

--- I also leave my firewire interface connected permanently, and that gets hot, so I guess it is costing more electricity.

--- I also use a UPS and switch off at the UPS when not using the PC

 

[theironhorse]

--- I haven't noticed it to happen since I connected via powered hub

--- I leave the ODAC connected permanently

--- I also leave my firewire interface connected permanently, and that gets hot, so I guess it is costing more electricity.

--- I also use a UPS and switch off at the UPS when not using the PC

can you help with a pointer towards a powered USB hub.

Odac connects to the rear port which are directly embedded over the motherboard however all my setup is on house invertor . hence no UPS in chain.
so to keep other electronics working the pc is always getting power. i have confirmed this as the mobo i have specifically mentions that even when the pc is off it can be used to charge usb based equipments.

i guess adding a UPS in chain just for the CPU will solve the issue but again it involves money...

 

[manniraj]

can you help with a pointer towards a powered USB hub.

Odac connects to the rear port which are directly embedded over the motherboard however all my setup is on house invertor . hence no UPS in chain.
so to keep other electronics working the pc is always getting power. i have confirmed this as the mobo i have specifically mentions that even when the pc is off it can be used to charge usb based equipments.

i guess adding a UPS in chain just for the CPU will solve the issue but again it involves money...

I think to avoid this may be you can uninstall the software pertaining to the USB charge as I believe this feature does not come as default but you need to install the required drivers/software. So when you shut down the PC the USB power should not come up. I remember that I had to install specific drivers to enable this feature on my Gigabyte motherboard of my HTPC.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

It can't be software ... because when your PC is powered down, it is not running any software. So no to Windows, no to drivers etc.

It could be a BIOS setting. I just looked at mine, but could not see one.

I'm don't feel like this is a worry. The ODAC runs cold, and I don't think it will do any harm. It just occurs to me, though, that if you guys are concerned about this, you could drop a line to JDS: they are helpful people.

I'm worrying that we are going too far from the HiFiMeDIY thread subject, and getting a bit ODAC specific here ...but same stuff applies to any USB-powered DAC or device, I suppose.

i guess adding a UPS in chain just for the CPU will solve the issue but again it involves money...

Flipping the switch at the wall socket, or pulling the plug on the PC, comes for free

I have so much stuff potentially drawing on the UPS that I use extension blocks with individually switched sockets.

 

[ujjwaana]

Hi Ujjwaana

Any links to this DAC kit.

Thanks

Sorry for the late reply. Here is the link
My ES9018 DAC/Amp/Controller.. - diyAudio

I got my speaker drivers last week thru Singpost speedpost air parcel but once it landed in India there was no way to track either on Singpost or the PO. .

Try this 'Secret' site... not much publicized, but once your Itmem leave the country of origin (Put on plane), this site giver more detailed tracking. But this is not for DHL/FEDEX tracking.
http://ipsweb.ptcmysore.gov.in/ipswebtracking/

Mine is always connected and my PC does not have the option of always power on USB on standby or when the power switch is on.

I recall old times 'Suggestion' from computer Gurus Atul Chitnis on PCQuest that if you have good AC power, it is easier for your PC to survive being ON all the time compared to facing the shock of Power ON-OFF cycle. I think same goes to DAC and other devices.

 

[manniraj]

Sorry for the late reply. Here is the link
My ES9018 DAC/Amp/Controller.. - diyAudio


Try this 'Secret' site... not much publicized, but once your Itmem leave the country of origin (Put on plane), this site giver more detailed tracking. But this is not for DHL/FEDEX tracking.
IPS Web Tracking/Item Tracking



I recall old times 'Suggestion' from computer Gurus Atul Chitnis on PCQuest that if you have good AC power, it is easier for your PC to survive being ON all the time compared to facing the shock of Power ON-OFF cycle. I think same goes to DAC and other devices.

Thanks for the link.
Yes I knew about that site but unfortunately its down 23 hrs out of 24 hrs
Not sure how this works out but I think more insight is needed on this always power on rather than power on-off cycles.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I recall old times 'Suggestion' from computer Gurus Atul Chitnis on PCQuest that if you have good AC power, it is easier for your PC to survive being ON all the time compared to facing the shock of Power ON-OFF cycle. I think same goes to DAC and other devices.

From lightbulbs to amplifiers, I've been hearing, for most of my life, that on/off stresses electricals more than being left on continually. It is certainly true for those CFL bulbs that are supposes to be more ecological/economical than incandescents!

But for hifi electronics? Check out the London Sound link I gave above, where a senior repairman says (IIRC, oh heck, it was only yesterday ) obviously, do not turn on and off between every record, but as to permanently-on, no, this reduces the life of equipment.

(This is confusing... i thought this was the other thread ...on that subject! Here's the link)

 

[Santy]

@thad, sound and music
What is the current status of your orders?
Have you got the delivery?
Mine shows under inspection by customs.

 

[sound and music]

Mine was shipped on Saturday. The latest status on the net shows that the packet has arrived in India. I will keep you updated.

 

[sound and music]

I got it just a few minutes back by our local postman. No custom duty was charged.

I am impressed with fast shipping by HK Post.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Congratulations! You are well ahead of Santy and I.

Mine was shipped on Thursday, and shows awaiting customs clearance since 29th. Hope to get it soon

 

[sound and music]

Just plugged in my laptop and with AKG 701, it sounds super clean and musical.

The Dac component is very good, amp is weak. Unable to drive 701 with ease but still performing adequately at 100 percent volume.

More impressions later.

 

[sound and music]

Congratulations! You are well ahead of Santy and I.

Mine was shipped on Thursday, and shows awaiting customs clearance since 29th. Hope to get it soon

My guess is that since I am based in Delhi, I got it early. May be HK Post is having some arrangements with airlines and other shippers for quick dispatch to Delhi.

I think both of you would get it by Saturday/Monday.

My best wishes

 

[Santy]

The postmen in my area are too lazy.
They always call me to the post office to collect the parcel.
BTW, did you pay customs?

 

[sound and music]

I just noticed in the custom declaration form, they have undervalued its price (US$8). That's why, no custom duty was charged on it.

I think that may be the case with your orders too as we ordered from the same seller/site.

 

[sound and music]

Played flac files up to 24/96, no issues so far.

It gives a kind of wow feeling when listening to Jazz vocals and classical music. I am now listening to The Gift by Sussane Abbuehl (ECM, 24/88.2) and it sounds very musical (capturing small details with airyness). Frankly speaking, I was not expecting so much at a price of Rs.4200.

 

[sound and music]

It has enough power to drive Senn HD598.