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Original Message

RE: Further thoughts on RPi player

Posted by soundchekk on March 11, 2017 at 05:45:12:
Checkout Moode Audio.

Slowly but surely I'm feeding more and more of my audio related tweaks towards Moode.

###################

"Output stage"

I've been running numerous output stages over the years.
First of all. They all add complexity. They all add more power supplies.
(One exception: A transformer outputstage.) They all add their own "footprint" or "flavour".

Who needs a 4-6V differential stage, if even 2V is too much. Many amps
don't even support 2V on the input. Add 25db gain to it and u can look for hearing aids.

All what most people need is <<1V. (Obviously I don't run preamps and try to limit digital volume control!)

Most differential stages cause problems on their own.

Back to the HAT DACs.

There are numerous cases where e.g. DACs based on a Sabre 9023 were considered better than a 9018. What matters is the implementation!
However. If a HAT is build after datasheet, you can't expect quality performance. These output opamps need quality power.
I played around with different capacitors - quite nice fellows hinted me into that direction. The right choice of caps made 10 times more of a difference then e.g. a reclocker.
Also switching from async to sync master clock on the Sabre made quite a difference.
Then I'm using a single highest quality 3.6V supply to feed the DAC.
Last but not least I modified the output filter. Non of these
modifications you can replace with a $500 power supply.

Over at DIY-Audio you can follow my HAT projects.

Below project ended with a DAC that I'm still running and enjoying:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/295880-mamboberry-ls-my-new-pi-hat.html

This is my newest Boss project:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/304004-my-new-boss-another-pi-hat.html

It's still work in progress.

There's no black or white. It's all grey. Everything ends up in a compromise at one point.
You, with 45 years of DIY Audio experience,should be well aware of it.

Enjoy.