Now it is decided, we will release this project. At this moment I brought the PCB layout to a close, and we will complete the design, produce the required quantity, and ship all the orders in late November or the first half of December.
The goals of this design remain as explained in the original topic. So, this board is essentially a USB decoding stage, which also provides a clock signal for D/A conversion. It means that on one side it connects to the PC via a USB port and, by operating as an asynchronous (master) USB Audio Class 2.0 device, it accepts up to 192 kHz sampling rates. On the other side, it outputs a “raw” PCM signal, in Philips simultaneous data, or I2S form, that can be sent to D/A chips. Also, it provides galvanic decoupling in between.
Here is the block diagram. Please click on the picture to see its full resolution.
Simultaneous data protocol can be used exclusively with TDA1541(A) (and with TDA1540 if it is 14 bit), and I described its advantages in this post. This protocol has separate left and right channels data lines, and since this board will also output inverted data signals, and will have two BCK and two LE (Latch Enable) connectors, it can be also a source for real balanced TDA1541A DAC.
Alternatively, the output can be a more common I2S protocol, with an additional 75 Ohm BNC S/PDIF.
Practically speaking, the major difference between the two options is the firmware. Either board can be also reprogrammed later, and there will be several ways to do this, and the most radical option would be to replace the flash memory chip with another one. We can also ship additional flash chip with alternative firmware with any order. This chip is SOIC-8, supposedly not hard for soldering for any serious DIY-er.
The board needs one 8-10 VAC transformer i.e. secondary winding, to feed the audio clocks and reclocker. I have given up on providing the option of connecting the whole board supply to USB +5 VDC Vbus, as it would compromise the design, and is probably not what many owners will actually want to use anyhow.
The output can normally drive reasonably long cables, up to 50 cm or so, and several gates, but it is not meant to drive terminated lines. Model S MkIII users who possibly want to use this board with it are welcome to contact me on this matter. The S/PDIF output stage is of course different, and it includes a discrete buffer.
Clocks are AVX SMD cans, and frequencies are 22.5792 MHz and 24.576 MHz. For simultaneous data mode, it is possible to use lower frequencies, and on demand, we can install an 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz pair instead, so please specify if you want these when placing an order. Please however note that the 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz are required for full hardware compatibility with I2S & S/PDIF option, namely with 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz an S/PDIF output will not operate at 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sampling rates. The selected clock frequency is also available as master clock (MCK) output, which TDA1541A users normally will not need, unless they want to experiment by clocking it directly – the old non-A version via its “system clock” input pin (4), or later -A version via adequate frequency divider.
The other parts you will find on this (usual Audial white) 95×105 mm board are XMOS processor (128 pin), common mode passive supply filtering, Schottky rectifier, low noise discrete regulator, VHC logic, NP0/C0G capacitors for critical local decoupling, etc.
Driver for Windows 7/8/10 will be provided, whereas Mac OS X and Linux are USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant, so they do not need a driver.
The board is available as ready made module only, and the price per unit is € 150. Additional firmware flash chip is € 10. The shipping and handling fee is € 17 (Airmail, registered and insured), and it is charged once per order, regardless of quantity. We accept PayPal and bank wire transfers.
Edit 30/10/2016: PCM1704 format is added as an option in the ordering form.
Edit 06/11/2016: Added instruction manual preview.
Edit 11/12/2016: The whole project took a few weeks more than originally planned, but next week we will start producing a series of these boards.
Edit 05/01/2017: Added instruction manual revision 0. The boards are now shipping. The ordering form is now closed, but in the second half of January we will make somewhat more samples.
And here is one clarification regarding maximum frequencies.
If board is set to simultaneous data mode, TDA1541A will work with it up to 192 kHz, with either 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz or 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz master clock frequencies.
If board is set to I2S mode, even though the I2S output itself will operate up to 192 kHz, TDA1541A will work with it up to 96 kHz. This applies again whether 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz or 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz master clock frequencies are used.
Master clock frequencies 22.5792 / 24.576 MHz are required only to make S/PDIF output fully operational up to 192 kHz. With 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz S/PDIF will not work at 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz.
I have the latest AYA-II 2014 pcb, i just want to check that this great usb interface will work with it, in simultaneous mode and what clock freq, before i order it. Great product Pedja as always. Thanks
Will this board support 1704 DAC chips?
Thanks, Sylvain.
Yes, it will work, and making connection to AYA II 2014 or DS should be easy, since both boards have u.FL connectors.
So long as you do not need S/PDIF output either of these master frequencies options will work. And I usually recommend to go with lowest possible frequencies that work, but in this case you can not go much wrong either.
Tony,
PCM1704 requires different protocol (split channels, LSB justified, with two’s complement data clocked on the rising edge of the bit clock), so it will not operate with either Philips simultaneous data or I2S. But it is good that you asked this, because we also made adequate firmware for PCM1704 too, so we can add it as option to this offer.
Regards
Looks sweet Pedja..
I’ll wait for more info when you publish a downloadable assembly manual, which I hope has a section on how to best integrate it with the 2015 AYA II DS dac within the same chassis..
Frederick
Just place the order for my AYA, please provide instructions on how connect it to the AyA. Do you supply the needed ufl small cables, or I need to order them separately, from Digikey for example? Thanks
SB
I am confirming the order and payment, thank you.
Yes, I would advice ordering u.FL cables from Digi-key or similar vendor, as I have no other sources either.
Instruction manual preview should be online in about a week.
Does it work with AYA II 2009 and what is the highest Fs can play with 2009 version (USB input)?
Interesting.
I had all the FIFO stuff from Ian to use on my AYA II but sold it months ago because I was happy with the AYA playing up to 96kHz.
But now this is tempting, with matching board and everything. 🙂
Oliver
@ Billy,
This board, and I mean here the board set to output simultaneous data protocol, will generally work with any TDA1541(A) DAC. Of course, you have to set the TDA to operate in simultaneous data mode instead of usual I2S. Practically speaking the pin 27 should be tied to pin 26 (-5 VDC) instead to pin 28 (+5 VDC).
The “only” advantage of 2014 and DS versions of AYA II is that they have u.FL connectors. They also have the provision for DIP switch at pin 27, so you can easily change the mode.
Sampling rates quoted above apply to any TDA1541(A) DAC.
Regards
Hello Pedja,
thank you for that great work.
Sorry, i`m not up to date, why it have two master clocl frequencies?
I have the AYA 2014 DS, which clock do you prefer me?
regards
Aron
You are welcome, Aron.
When designing the digital audio device, you need a master clock frequency that is the multiple of audio sampling frequency.
And there are two basic strings of audio sampling frequencies in practical use today: one is 44.1 kHz and its multiples (88.2 kHz and 176 kHz), and the other is 48 kHz and its multiples (96 kHz and 192 kHz).
Of course, one can use synthesizer clock (PLL) to generate arbitrary master frequencies, however using (fixed frequency) crystal oscillator (XO) is still more clean solution.
Hence we have here two crystal oscillators as master clocks. One is 11.2896 MHz (or 22.5792 MHz), which works for 44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz, and the other is 12.288 MHz (or 24.576 MHz), which works for 48/96/192 kHz sampling frequencies. As shown on the block diagram, the USB processor sends the switching signal that selects proper master frequency for given audio sampling frequency.
If you plan to use this USB stage only with TDA1541A DAC, then you will be fine with 11.2896 MHz / 12.288 MHz master clocks.
Regards
Hello,
This board has no case. Is this supposed to be installed inside a Model S DAC?
Even though it would not be impossible to do, this board was not meant to be used that way with Model S (MkIII). There are several reasons for that.
Hi Pedja,
Seems asynchronous mode will be new experience to feel actual power of TDA1541, as it only absorb the data signal via USB cable and then give a new clock signal on this board?
I often feel USB cable isnt good for audio, as it combined several signal in one cable, not the same as I2S
Regards,
Billy
Interested to buy one to my Aya II DS. Usb music haven’t interested me before and my knowledge isn’t that good in this so i decide to give it a try first.
Bought a Raspberry Pi3 and downloaded picoreplayer and choose usb out
My Squeezebox touch have now retired from his duties☺. This is so much better. One good thing was that i could use my touch diy psu also.
So now i’ve decide that i want this usb board. Can’t wait to hear it connected.
PCM1704 format is now added as an option in the ordering form.
Hi Pedja,
If I am right, I don’t need the additional firmware chip when I use the TDA1541 DAC.
Hello Peter,
You need additional firmware chip only if you plan to change the firmware later, and you don’t want to deal with reprogramming at that.
Regards
Quote: “PCM1704 format is now added as an option in the ordering form.”
Thanks,
Question 1: can I connect a PCM1702 to the same (the extra bits would be discarded anyway).
I will definitely order the TDA1541 version quickly; just pondering on next steps.
Question 2: does that imply a code replacement in the sense of the flashchip?
Unfortunately you can not use 20 bit DAC with this output format. Devices that use right justified protocols are generally not inter-connectible if they are set for different word lengths, because they would not discard the bottom but the upper bits.
So in this case data lines would need four bits shift, and it would take very slightly different, but still different code. Of course, the same can be done with shift register too.
This seems like an interesting product for the Model S SPDIF. How difficult is it to complete the board? I am a beginner with no soldering experience.
Hi Pedja,
As my previous post, may you confirm whether AYA II 2009 able to use your new USB board? I would like to try one if not that difficult on connection.
@ Looking for DAC:
This board comes fully completed, and it includes PCB connectors, so soldering as such is basically not required by the user. The only exception is the supply source i.e. transformer leads. But you can request, and we will solder the terminal here, so you can make this connection by screwdriver.
@ Billy:
Yes, basically you can use this board with AYA II 2009. It is however not ready made to accept such a connection, so to make this connection you will have to partially pull out some resistors from PCB. Also, if you want to use it in simultaneous data mode you will have to do some additional surgery on PCB. I can provide details by mail.
Regards
Hello Pedja,
My email: 3chiu3@gmail.com
Thanks
Hi Pedja. I’m guessing the User manual and AYA-II 2014 PCB instructions are coming? No rush, just checking. SB
Mail sent to Billy, and instruction manual preview was just uploaded too.
Final version of instruction manual, performance graphs etc. will follow.
The work on this will continue for the next two weeks or so, so it will be possible to place an order during this time.
Hello Pedja,
I’m interested by this interface, but still have some questions:
It was my understanding the firmware would also be reprogrammable, but don’t find any explanation on how we should do that. Is resoldering the 8pin flash the only way?
There has been research on the noise inside the chip and how to lower it to the maximum, I2S attenuators were created, but another idea that should be implementable by firmware: a clock-stop (BCK) towards the TDA1541 one or two cycles before the crucial latch. Most probably you even tried all those tricks, have you experimented with the clock-stop and is it possible in this design with a new firmware?
Concerning the installation: you recommend not to position the interface board on top of the AYAII board, is the only reason the possibility to have interference? So a metal sheet between both should solve the problem? My AYAII dac is very compact 🙂 and I like it…
Regards, Berny
Hi Berny,
My apologies for still not providing details on firmware change.
There are three possible options here, and replacing the flash chip is one of them. Another is classic way, by using programmer board, but this requires both programmer board and some skills, or at least some patience. The third option is to do it as “upgrade” (DFU) via USB itself, which could be easier, and does not require any additional hardware. At this moment this third option still can not be guaranteed to work though, but I hope to have good news soon.
Stopped clock operation is interesting possibility with simultaneous data mode. I actually never tried it, probably because TDA1541A performance in simultaneous data mode is anyhow very clean of data related artifacts, in comparison to I2S. But yes, I think it is possible to program this, and move LE raising edge one or two bits i.e. BCK cycles to the right. BCK itself must be stopped for that time, or it can be also stopped all until the next word begins. Of course, we also have to verify that TDA1541(A) will operate properly with such an input signal.
BTW, stopped clock operation has one downside too: it produces another frequency component at BCK line. But this shouldn’t be really a big issue, and overall result might justify it.
So I will try this option before these boards are shipped, and include it, if I find it worthwhile.
Yes, interferences can be significant problem, and even if one can not hear them directly, they might deteriorate sonic performance of the DAC. This USB board is relatively “quiet”, taking into account what it does, however its bottom side is not designed to make such a positioning “safe” in that regard. One of the reasons is that the USB transceiver chip is located at the bottom side. Classic approach insists on putting everything to the one (ground) plane – and the rule is: do not raise anything above that plane unless you want it to act as antenna and emit around, or receive something – but of course, different strategies may work, and shielding does helps.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
Thank you for all the explanations and certainly no apologies needed. I am convinced though that many DIYers here really need some easier way (in contrast to soldering/desoldering the flash chip) to swap between the different possible modes of operation. Being able to experience the difference between I²S, simultaneous mode and spdif is something we probably all want to try, not speaking of the use of this USB interface with the different other dacs we all have…
If I’m not mistaken, it is only the latch signal which is important towards timing and jitter. The only signal that needs to be reclocked cleanly with the master clock. The bitclock is only used to clock the data in (but it needs to be stopped in time or we clock it out again on the other side ;).
I had one final question: support for audio class 1.0. Most XMOS USB interfaces are backwards compatible (full speed USB) and in this case limited to 96KHz sample rate, will this also be the case with your interface?
Thanks for the support, Berny
Speaking on purely technical level, yes, in simultaneous data mode it is the LE line that triggers the DAC output, and hence it is the only signal that matters regarding the jitter that we can actually verify / measure in the resulting audio signal.
However, speaking from subjective experience, it worth to reclock all the lines. This is one of those small audio things we actually still don’t understand, and no technical explanation I heard about this (jitter crosstalk etc.) appears really plausible to me.
Also, in terms of hardware, this USB board anyhow provides reclocking at BCK line, because in I2S the DACs usually trigger on BCK line. Data lines are reclocked too, not only for above mentioned reason, but also to align them properly with clock lines, and because S/PDIF, which is additional output when the board is set to I2S, uses one of these two lines.
This board can work as (“fall back toâ€) USB Audio Class 1.0, but only with USB 1.1 (or 1.0) hardware, which is practically non-exiting these days. So, as long as you use USB 2.0 hardware, which supports USB Audio Class 2.0, this board will require USB Audio Class 2.0 driver.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and really looking forward to your experience in testing the stop-clock and your progress towards firmware update. Please keep us informed about your progress in finalizing this fantastic interface!
Concerning the USB1.0/1.1: I have an ‘extra low noise’ galvanic USB isolator, aimed for USB measurement systems… it is a higher end type of implementation of the ADuM-kind of devices you find on ebay (instead of a DC/DC converter on board, it uses a separate linear PS for the device side). For me, it has been most of the time an improvement.
Regards, Berny
I have just ordered, Philips version, but I am not sure if/why the flash is needed but I bought it anyway as a kind of insurance.
Pleas can you explain a little more?
Thanks Albert, I am confirming your order.
There is the most classic way to load or change the firmware, which can be applied with this board too, and it is to load it by programmer board, via dedicated port on this board. This can surely work flawlessly, but as I said, it might be too much for majority of users.
Also, there is a standard procedure to update the firmware of USB device via USB port, from the PC that it is already connected to. This standard is one of the USB device class specifications, and is called DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade). By using this standard, and by providing the user with firmware upgrade file (it should be distinguished from the firmware as such), user alone can upgrade the firmware. Of course, any firmware change can be considered “upgrade”, but I encountered some problems with this. However these issues should be hopefully solved soon. And of course, supposing it is confirmed to work, you will be provided by detailed instructions on how to do this.
Also, since the firmware is stored in flash chip, the firmware can be changed by physically replacing this chip. It might look too radical, but it is actually not unusual, and soldering in this case should not be that hard either.
Regards
Which version of Xmos are you using?
Does the S/PFIF version have a coax output?
H Pedja, any planned shipping date for the USB interface?
Thanks
SB
Hello Sylvain,
There is a slight delay with respect to the originally planned timing – my apologies for this – but I would like to check all the options and ideas posted above, and make sure everything is fine.
I will post here a more precise schedule in a few days.
Regards
So, all the things related to the hardware are now checked and finished, and the next week we are going to start producing an actual run of these boards.
We will make somewhat more boards than originally purchased, but the best way to ensure own sample is to place an order during a couple of next days.
This whole work should be hopefully finished, and the items should be shipped before the end of this year.
The board as such turned out as very nice project. It is one very fine USB front end that can work great with most of the DACs, and it is especially recommended for use with AYA II DIY 2014 and DS editions, which have provision for U.FL connectors. So, AYA II 2014 / DS owners who use PC as primary source, should really take a chance, and try own DAC with this interface. It can clearly show how computer source can match, and even overcome the best classics transports. The connection between two boards is straightforward, and all it takes is four U.FL cables. If both boards are inside one chassis, a 15 cm (or even 10 cm in some cases) cables will be sufficient. I use 20 cm Hirose U.FL cables with very good results.
Regarding the software, I had to give up of enabling firmware update option. There are several reasons for this, but in case you miss the possibility to purchase an alternative firmware chip at this moment, and once need different firmware, feel free to contact me and we will try to arrange something.
Also, regarding Berny’s proposal for stopped clock operation, I will have to leave it out of this project for now. While it is relatively easy to define required BCK and LE patterns, the problem became that the XMOS firmware internal clocking structure is done in a way the bit clock is used to clock the LE and data lines. This same bit clock is then also sent to the output port without real possibility to process it prior to arriving at that port. So, basically here we have a paradoxical demand to stop the clock, yet to use it to trigger the other lines, at the moment it is stopped. Still, I am sure this task can be accomplished by making some more major firmware changes, however the work required in this regard might take some time, that is not available within such a tight schedule.
Further information on this board performance is following.
So, here is the spectral analysis of this USB board bit clock output. It is for the bit clock the most usual 2.8224 MHz frequency, but please note that in simultaneous data mode this matches 88.2 kHz audio sampling frequency.
For comparison, here is the same 2.82 MHz bit clock output from AYA II on-board PCM2706 based USB front end.
Also, for the record, this is AYA II’s CS8414.
And here is the master clock output, in time domain. A 24.576 MHz is shown, so the highest frequency you can have at this board.
Also, this board 2.82 MHz bit clock in time domain.
People often ask me what I think about digital signal filtering and attenuation with TDA1541(A) – this idea is floating around for some time – and the answer is: I find it of no use. I can not measure, and I can not hear any difference. OTOH, I can imagine how with some sources such an intervention may be beneficial, especially if you feed TDA with some older stuff, designed in time when signal integrity was not taken really if any seriously (even if many fundamental things about it were known for decades).
This looks an excellent product – many thanks for the clear explanations.
I have a “Red Baron” TDA1541A PCB, v5 (RB) which is designed to run in simultaneous mode and includes u.FL connectors. I’ve used I2S versions of the RB board for years and know that others are successfully running in simultaneous mode via a reclocker.
I know you can’t comment on the merits of someone else’s design but can you see any reason why your board might not work with the RB? I can’t see one.
TIA
Thanks, Dave.
I am actually not familiar with your TDA1541A board, but there is no reason for this USB interface not to work with any TDA1541(A) D/A setup, of course provided both USB and D/A part operate in the same mode.
Regards
The series should be finished tomorrow, and shipping will hopefully start before the end of this year. More detailed information will be posted by e-mail during the next two days.
Official instruction manual and Windows driver will be available for download during the first week of January.
Wishing you a happy holidays!
Pedja
Hello Pedja,
I’ve only just started reading about your board. It looks like I might have missed the deadline; are these still available ?
Would it be possible to implement this board with a digital crossover. I’m guessing this would require two of your boards combined with some type a usb in/out digital crossover. Do you know software/hardware solutions that will support this application.
Dave
Hello Dave,
For now we made the first part of this run, so we can ship previous orders. Somewhat more samples will be made in the second half of January.
Two of these USB boards will not make multichannel USB interface, which is required for digital software crossover implemented at PC side. So, with this board you will still need some sort of hardware digital crossover, connected to this board’s output.
Audial multichannel interface / DAC was announced some time ago, and is on the way. It is not TDA1541A design though.
Regards
At this moment about the half of orders are shipped, and all the remaining shipments will be dispatched in the next few days. Of course, everyone will receive an e-mail with shipment tracking number, and log-in data, to download the Windows driver from this page.
Also, I owe one apology. Namely, I overlooked that it is not only S/PDIF output that can not work with 176.4/192 kHz sampling rates with 11.2896/12.288 MHz master clocks. The same applies to I2S output, since in this case the bit clock frequency (64 x Fs) is equal to the master clock frequency, and hence master clock can not reclock the bit clock line.
Well, this happens when you actually do not use something on regular basis, so it stays out of your sight. But, in my defense, I noticed this as soon as I started to set the software for I2S output with 11.2896/12.288 MHz clocks. So, no order that includes I2S output and 11.2896/12.288 MHz clocks was shipped yet, and everyone who ordered this (actually, this combination was ordered solely in the form of the alternative firmware chips) will be e-mailed and offered to change the option.
The data provided in the instruction manual will be corrected quickly too.
Hi Pedja!
I would like to buy a board. Am I too late?
Thorsten
Hello Thorsten,
Another run is just being finished. Most of these samples are actually sold “offline” in the meantime, but some, mostly with 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz master clocks, are still available.
There will be probably no another online ordering form, so it is the best if you also place your order offline. You can use either the website contact form or my e-mail address.
Regards
Hi Pedja
Is it possible to use a socket for the firmware chips for those of us who might well swap DACs around regularly? There are SOIC-8 sockets on eBay very cheap. They have DIP8 legs but I guess they can be bent to conform with the SOIC-8 pads on your USB board. Can you recommend anything better?
Do you think these will work? http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&nkw=SOIC8+++DIP8++Adapter+Socket&_sop=15
I also wonder if there will be any sound quality problem using a socket? I imagine the flash just loads on power-up into the XMOS so I cant see it being an issue?
Hi Pedja,
thank you for all the work it sounds wonderful!
just finished my prototype setup in combination with aya2 board, the simultan mode shows the best sides from 1541 🙂
Hello Hugh,
Yes, that is correct, flash chip loads the firmware to XMOS chip at power up, i.e. at the moment the USB part of the board gets the +5 V from USB line.
There is however a problem with Ebay link, as it apparently does not open any particular item.
Regards
You are welcome, Klaus.
I agree, it is the simultaneous mode that gives all the transparency from TDA1541A.
Also, this board is in my view one very nice and successful project, and I don’t think the source for TDA1541A, especially if it is driven by 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz clocks, can get much better than this.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
It looks very good. In looking at it further you have also provided the inversions of left and right channels which I imagine would provide differentials from the same DAC for each independent channel.
By the way I converted my Marantz CD-94 to NOS mode and redid all the analog circuits. It sounds very good even against a DCS machine. Hence am looking forward to getting one of your boards to connect to a USB port.
Thanks, Gerrit.
Ordering details are just sent to you by e-mail.
At this moment two completed boards are available for shipping, both with 11.2896 / 12.288 MHz master clocks.
Can you hold one for me? If you still have one I will send you the money for it.
Yes, one sample will be put aside for you.
Hi Pedja,
If the board is still available,
I want to buy one.
Hello Katsumi,
The answer sent by e-mail.
Regards
Also, a notice regarding possible additional inquiries.
There are already more requests than available boards, so for now I can not accept additional orders.
A few pieces remained incomplete from previous run though, and I will let you know if and when some of these are completed and available.
Hi Pedja,
I went through PayPal and payed for mine a few days ago. I hope everything went OK. Can you provide a tracking number?
Regards,
Gerrit
Hello Gerrit,
I have just checked, and something apparently did not work well, as your payment still did not appear at this side. Please send me your payment ID (you can send it to my e-mail), and I will check this with PayPal support.
Regards
I was having trouble sending you a payment and didn’t verify with PayPal. In checking there was no payment made to you. Can you provide the name I should making out the payment to again please.
regards,
Gerrit
Audial account address at PayPal is paypal@audialonline.com (Audial d.o.o.).
Regards
Hi Pedja,
Thanks I have connected USB simultaneous to aya11 and sounds great, I want to ask you about Dem BCK because I need to use 2,I noticed that there is 2 BCK on the PCB so could I connect one to TDA and one to Dem using both BCK J206 and J207?
Hope you can understand my question.
Peter
Hello Peter,
Supposing it is the AYA II 2014 that you use, so long as you use one AYA board, one BCK connection will be fine. And there, at AYA 2014 board, you can hard-wire the BCK signal from relay output to send it to the DEM clocking circuit input (Q208).
If you want to use USB board with two AYA boards, then for that second board you should use the second BCK output. And then at second AYA board you make the same connection for DEM as on the first AYA board.
HTH
Hi Pedja,
I cleared things up with PayPal as some form of security check that caused them to deny my payment without informing me. Anyway, the payment now shows up in my email so I hope everything is now fine.
Gerrit
I am confirming it is fine this time.
The board will start its way tomorrow, and I will send you a tracking information.
Regards
Hi Pedja!
The boards have arrived in good codition!
Thorsten
Thanks, Thorsten. I hope you’ll have them working soon.
@ Gerrit: Your board was shipped today, and tracking information has been just sent to you by e-mail.
Regards
Hi Predja
Why does the manual advise not installing the board on top the AYA board?
Hello Brent,
To make the emitting between the circuits as low as possible, it is recommended to put them all into the same (ground) plane. Or, in different words, by mounting USB board above the DAC board, you help it emitting down to the DAC board. Things would be somewhat better if ground plane on this USB board was consistent, but that is not the case.
You can think about this just like about putting i.e. elevating antenna above the ground (plane): the higher it is, the better it emits (or receives), and vice versa.
Regards
Dear Pedja,
If the board is still available, I want to buy one please.
Thank you,
Hello Antonio,
I am sorry but all the boards are now sold out.
However I am still regularly receiving requests, and it looks like this project still draws the attention. So we might rerun it in some similar form once again, later this year.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
if you sell the boards again, please let me know.
Best regards
Tobias
Hello Tobias,
I will do.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
I have a problem no sound, the computer is showing audial usb audio in volume control but no sound, I checked connections and OK USB cable ok power on ok 2 green on Pcb ok everything else is working, i uninstalled the drivers and reinstalled them with same results i am also getting playback error on foobar. tried Ian’s PCM to I2s board and aya 2 is working ok so something is not right with simultaneous PCB. its been working fine up till now, its powered by the transformer I bought from you for aya i checked input voltage and it is withing specs.
PM
Hello Peter,
I have sent you an e-mail, so we can investigate this more effectively.
Regards
And now it is official, the second run of this project will be released soon.
It will have practically the same architecture, but there will be also some changes.
The first, the USB side of the board will now also have its own local supply (instead of using Vbus). The board will thus require transformer with two secondary windings, one for USB decoding part, and the other for clocks and reclocker. This way it will be fully “self powered”.
And second, in addition to U.FL, a PCM / I2S output will also have a PCB provision for BNC connectors, so the board might be more convenient for use in its own chassis.
Which brings us to another news: other than as a module, this version will be offered as ready made unit, in its own chassis, and with BNC outputs (unless U.FL is specifically requested). It will have regular Audial logo, but please note that it still will not be sold on regular basis, but will be also only one time offer.
More details and schedule will be announced next week.
🙂
I don’t know if it’s possible but could it have also an uf-l I2S inputt (for instance to use with a Pi III or Odroid C1+ boards) ?
(you should make also a mailing list, there are problems with automatic notifications, I just falled on this good news by luck as I check sometimes for diy modifications of the users for my own AYA board)
This board was meant solely as USB front end, so making conversion between different raw PCM formats would be beyond its scope.
I have checked, and your mail address is now subscribed to this topic. Please let me know if automatic notifications still do not work for you.
Also, if you are subscribed to the newsletter you will be notified about new board that way too.
Regards
Series 2 is just announced:
Hello,
Anyone use the board with the Logitech squeezebox touch, especially with the “Enhanced digital output”? I have this setup used with my Amanero and sounded good, but now the Logitech doesn’t known the DAC 😳
Regards
Aron
How hard would it be to convert the original series 1 board to a series 2? would it be a simple as adding 5v+ to the USB header pin?
Hi Pedja
If not using on-board DEM circuit will C213 and C214 have to be removed?
Hello Peter,
Yes, that’s correct. If you use TDA1541A internal oscillator for DEM, which is driven by the capacitor C324, you have to remove C213 and C214.
Regards
Hello Pedja,
I always seem to be auto logged out whenever I click on the Topics of this Board and the upcoming new USB Board.. Hmmm. I had to fill up the fields below and use the captcha code just to post here,
Anyway, I just want to confirm if the v26 Windows driver is the 64 bit version, and v61 is the 32 bit version?
Thank you.
Hello Frederick,
I personally can browse the site, and post to the topics as logged-in user with no issues (and that is how I am posting this reply), and I am not aware of such a problem, but I will look at it. Hope your browser has cookies enabled?
As for the drivers, both versions can be installed to both 32 and 64 bit Windows.
Regards
Hello Pedja,
Thanks for the reply. I always use Explorer when browsinf the site, I will try Chrome..
Anyway, got to try v61 yesterday and it worked well with J-river. Wasapi (direct connection) by default.. It sounds very very promising in Simultaneous Data Mode, even for just an hour to say the least =)…
I tried v26 but there was an error message after finishing installation, so no sound even if there was a ‘handshake’. I’ll try to DL it again, maybe it got corrupted with downloading.
Here’s a photo of the layout of the innards in a new chassis from Landfall Systems. All that’s left for my friend to install are the LED indicators on the front panel.
Regards….
Hi Pedja and others,
Has anyone here tried Spotify streaming? I tried using it for background music listening, but it plays direcly to the laptop speakers instead of streaming to the USB Board. The driver is recognized by J-River MC21 and has no problem streaming to the USB Board.. Are there any settings I should disable/enable? Thank you.
PS – I close down J-River before using the Spotify app so that there won’t applications running at the same time.
Hello Frederick,
I am not using Spotify, but I’d guess that there is some sampling frequency conflict, or maybe even the problem with audio device selection?
BTW, I hope the problem you had to post as logged-in user is solved. There was indeed an issue with this (related to site content caching), that could occur with some browsers.
Regards
Output format change is now possible by firmware update, which can be done from Windows control panel. Detailed instructions and most typical migrations files are already uploaded (requires log-in).
Hi Pedja,
I have a temporary workaround for using Spotify by downloading WMD Driver (a virtual audio driver) in JRiver. It let’s you play other media apps through JRiver media center (with Audial USB Audio Device KS [WASAPI] selected).. So with Spotify playing I just have to have JRiver running too to be able to stream to the USB Board.
The USB Driver that works without bugs with my OS (Win 7 Ultimate) is V 1.61. The other two drivers were buggy and always had pop up error messages. With V 1.26 I see that it could stream (D102 lighting up) but there’s no sound output at all. I tried a few sampling frequencies in the Control Panel >> Playback Devices > ‘Audial USB Audio Device’ (Properties) > Advanced, but can’t seem to find the right one for Spotify to stream by itself. This was before installing Jriver’s WDM Driver. I’ll be getting a new PC soon, so I’ll make sure to try all frequencies next time.
Thanks for the new FW update with selectable output formats. I’ll need read up on it more..
I have no problems logging in now since my last post.. Thank you.
Regards….
So it looks like the problem is with routing between Spotify and the driver. You can use also dedicated application for routing, but please let us know if things will work better with another PC.
And, one information for all having the boards with 22.5792/24.576 MHz master clocks. Now you can add 352.4/384 kHz capability, by firmware update. Please check out the download section.
Hi Pedja,
Yes, I will try with a different PC soon enough..
Thanks for the new higher sampling frequency FW update. Does the v 1.61 driver also have a DFU utility so I could revert back to the earlier firmware just in case? Only v1.61 works with my current OS without bugs (no sound output or error messages). Thank you.
Driver 1.61 does not include this utility, but it is now available as separate file, along with instructions.
Regards
Hi Pedja,
Thanks for your efforts on this.. My older PC’s hardware limit is only up to 192Khz. Do most Windows 10 machines can do a 384Khz sampling rate? Thank you.
Hello Frederick,
Windows audio is still generally limited to 192 kHz. For playback at 352.4 kHz and 384 kHz you have to use ASIO or WASAPI output.
BTW, it looks like Windows support for USB Audio Class 2.0 is finally on the way. Once it is included in regular Windows release or update, Audial USB board (and Model S USB) should work natively, as plug and play device. For most of you it will be probably simpler just to connect device than to install dedicated driver. Still, firmware update surely won’t be possible without dedicated driver though.
Regards
Well, after I’ve sent the post above, I thought I could check if Windows is maybe already regularly updated to support UAC2. So I uninstalled usual driver, and Windows started its own procedure to recognize the device, and… it apparently works.
So, this is significant and good news: this USB board is now plug-n-play device in Windows.
This applies to Windows 10 (build 1703), and this feature comes by regular update. So, everyone using Windows 10, who did not trick it to ignore updates, might already have it too. (In Win 10 it is normally not possible to disable updating, but it can be worked-out for instance by setting WiFi as metered connection.) At the moment I am not sure about previous versions.
More details to come.
Hello Pedja,
One good news or side effect with the higher sampling rate FW update is that it fixed the issue of not getting Spotify to directly stream to the USB Board. No need now to use the Jriver’s WDM driver – it now streams Spotify directly.. Thanks Pedja.
Regards
Hello Pedja,
I would like to know if this board can be used with the Marantz CD94II which has a separate dac board with two TDA1541A in complementary mode.
If so: is your board still available for ordering?
Where can I find all specs of the board?
Thanks,
Johan Maessen
Hello Johan,
It is generally possible to use this board with any TDA1541A based D/A section, whether for the single end, or balanced operation.
You can find the instruction manual link (PDF) above, in the initial post. It includes the performance data too.
However, all the boards we made are sold out.
Regards