Sonore toneDAC - preliminary discussion

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, matthias said:

@vortecjr

 

Please, can you share some info about the new Sonore toneDAC?

Thanks

 

Matt

I'll start a new thread soon if we move forward with that project. For now it's just a USB/SPDIF DAC. 

[vortecjr]

Right now we are exploring the idea, but we are not 100% committed to the project.

Here is some preliminary information: 

https://www.sonore.us/toneDAC.html

[vortecjr]

reserved for JR

[vortecjr]

22 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

Can you explain why it has SPDIF input when it is for use with MR, UR, OR and SR only?

 

Matt

That is a reference to the USB input. You can use the SPDIF with any source. Yesterday I was streaming to it from my microRendu via USB and my playing from my cable box for TV sound via the SPDIF input. Its very handy with two inputs:)  

[vortecjr]

12 minutes ago, Em2016 said:

 

@JohnSwenson design?

No...

[vortecjr]

9 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

If not all details are fixed, I would appreciate to have it as a pure USB DAC without SPDIF.

I talked to an australian DAC manufacturer and he told me that his DACs with USB only input sound much better than these with several inputs.

Further even manufacturer like Schiit admit that their upcoming USB sounds better than SPDIF.

How would you power the DAC when in SPDIF mode?

I do not see any DC socket?

 

Matt

I really want to keep the SPDIF input for selfish reasons:) This product is meant to be simple and fun to use...It's nice to offer something like this to our customers in a matching case. The USB port is what powers the unit. In my case yesterday the microRendu, which is always on, was powering the unit when I was watching TV via the SPDIF input.  

[vortecjr]

Just now, matthias said:

 

That means that USB can be used with Sonore devices only?

If yes, why?

 

Matt

You can use it with any device you want, but I don't have time to support customers who want to connect them to Windows and Mac computers. If you use it with a Rendu then no worries...I'll provide support as expected. 

[vortecjr]

You are on your own until you buy and hook it up to a Rendu via USB. 

[vortecjr]

7 hours ago, matthias said:

 

Surely you can decline support without Rendu but you should specify whether it works with MAC OS for example.

Maybe @barrows can check this?

 

Matt

Typically, if it works on Linux it works on a Mac and the other way around. We have not tested it though so it’s not a qualification. 

[vortecjr]

6 hours ago, matthias said:

@vortecjr

I suppose for purely SPDIF one would need an USB power supply?

Are the Rendus powered by an Uptone LPS 1.2 strong enough to power this DAC or which PS is recommended?

What do you use as USB input socket? USB-C?

Thanks

 

Matt

Correct. Not sure because I don’t have one. I can try it with an iFi iPower supply later today. It uses USB-C. 

[vortecjr]

1 hour ago, R1200CL said:

Another condenced Singxer item ?

 

Nice. 

I thought you might like it:)

[vortecjr]

9 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

Hmmm is it possible this changes project and becomes a "RenduDAC" ? 

 

Ethernet (copper or fibre) input and analogue outputs? Running sonicOrbiter OS.

 

 

 

We have some ideas about this, but it’s a fairly complex and expensive undertaking to accomplish.

[vortecjr]

21 hours ago, matthias said:

Are the Rendus powered by an Uptone LPS 1.2 strong enough to power this DAC or which PS is recommended?

Yes, the DAC only uses about 500mA at 5V so no worries.

[vortecjr]

21 hours ago, matthias said:

 

Thanks,

that would mean that UR or OR do not need more than 500mA either.

Correct?

 

Matt

Matt, the LPS-1 can output 1.1V per Alex. The amperage of the DAC is about 500mA. The units use about 600mA. It's close, but I spoke with Alex and he was fine with it. No issues to report with other USB powered DACS used with Rendu world wide.   

[vortecjr]

8 hours ago, matthias said:

 

You wrote in the manual of the UR that in this case the VBUS regulator will be generating a lot of heat so there might be some issues with overheating.

 

Matt

Not really...its only there as a warning so I don't get emails that a unit is warm during use. 

[vortecjr]

Some additional information

 

The board’s total consumption is about 300mA++. The Op Amp itself consumes about 100-150mA of juice.

[vortecjr]

47 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

I appreciate that the DAC uses USB-C.

Why do you not use USB-C in all your upcoming products?

Thanks

 

Matt

That connector comes with a lot of baggage. 

[vortecjr]

Just look it up on Wikipedia and you will see it's way more complex then we need for USB audio. The DAC is compatible with USB-A via the cable so no harm their.

[vortecjr]

 I didn’t say anything about it being inferior or less sound quality.   I said more complex and I would rather not deal with that on the rendu series. 

[vortecjr]

13 hours ago, Miska said:

 

How about switching to AKM DAC chip to support DSD Direct at DSD512?

 

This DAC is not something we are designing from scratch. It's just an OEM module we are placing in a matching case.  

[vortecjr]

Here are some pics of the ToneDAC

 

 

[vortecjr]

24 minutes ago, André Gosselin said:

Is the type of the USB input connector featured on the ToneDAC going to create problems for all those who already own Type-A > Type B USB cables ? Will Sonore provide or recommend a suitable adapter, offer or recommend a new type of USB cable, or offer a choice of USB connector when ordering the ToneDAC ? I would not like to see another round of the never-ending USB cable war...

Regards

I’m sure it will. Sonore will provide a USB cable to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

[vortecjr]

25 minutes ago, firedog said:

Jesus,

Does Sonore have anything to do with the input/output stage of the DAC, or is it all on the board itself when you receive it?

No.