Ec-Designs Multi-Bit DAC

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by murphythecat, Dec 2, 2018.

  1. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    Ive been a fan of their DAC's for years now.

    They finally released, after 2 years of waiting, their new products and im stunned.

    https://www.ecdesigns.nl/en/shop/mos16

    the Mosaic dac used to sell for 1500 euro for their 16 bit DAC, now.... 350 euro.


    For more information, you can visit diyaudio, where ec designs have been sharing and showing to diy'er there approach to DAC/amps for 10 years, showing every new developements. You can find more information on their new DAC line and their previous ones.

    https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/dig...e-nos-dac-using-tda1541a-677.html#post5598646


    I ordered a mos16 dac and the Utos. cant wait!
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  2. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    So from a very quick scan of a couple of pages from that thread, that's Toslink-only for input (with some kind of optional USB->Toslink converter?), and the USB port in the photo is for battery charging?
     
  3. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Where does it say in their website that they are NOS R2R DACs? All I can make out is that they are multibit DACs with clean battery power.

    They do look interesting, but it's a bit of a shame they don't seem to offer balanced outs as of now.
     
  4. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    It says nowhere, indeed, that its a nos R2R. I just asked them to confirm, ill post their response here. on their website, They describe it as a "discrete segmented hybrid multibit D/A converter".

    There two previous dac, the one I have and the next generation, was a R2R nos dac, I assumed this one is as well. if you look at the pictures, you can sort of see a R2R dac, but ill have confirmation later!

    yes, only toslink input and the usb port is to charge the battery


    If @purr1n accept, ill ship the dac to him for some good old impression/measurements!
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  5. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    Can a moderator modify the title of this thread? I was mistaken. the new EC designs dac is not a conventional R2R ladder dac..

    Ive asked them what is the dac design, thats their answer:

    "The MOS16 has a discrete 4 segment matrix converter based on ternary logic. Two segments for the MSBs, and two more segments for the LSBs. This is not a conventional R2R ladder DAC."
     
  6. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Done. Carry on.
     
  7. soekris

    soekris MOT - Soekris Engineering

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    To me it looks like a regular sign magnitude discrete R-2R DAC, and as there don't seems to be anything that can contain a filter,, it must be NOS....
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  8. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Photos show a LiPo pack mounted inside. I'm generally not keen on desktop products that rely on lithiums in the first place, as storing lithiums at full charge is the best way to shorten their lifespan, so you're guaranteed to have to address this if you plan to own the product long term. Think laptop and phone lifecycles versus amps.

    I wonder if you can just slot in a holder to take a cylindrical 18650 cell instead. At least those things are are easily available and imo more reliable.

    @murphythecat would be interested in your sonic impressions once you get it in.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  9. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    ill eventually send it to @purr1n . I suck at evaluating stuff
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Trying to figure this out. 4 separate segments of 4 bits, all summed later. I think what he is trying to say is that the MSB segments, both - and + directions, wouldn't be in the signal path. Maybe gated when not used (ternary operator thing)? That it's effectively an eight bit (or maybe four bit based on either + or -) DAC for lower level? signals I dunno. This strong Belgian Ale is kicking my ass right now. I love Belgian and Belgian style beers.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2018
  11. winders

    winders boomer

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    I don’t know anything about this DAC, but my proud German grandfather begrudgingly told me that Belgians make the best beer. In my experience, he was right. I miss the old guy...

    I like Duvel!
     
  12. Soups

    Soups Sadomasochistic cat

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    Really grew to appreciate Belgian style beers while living in New England. Many more breweries pursuing that tradition/style there than in the PNW, which is still way too IPA-centric. But what bugs me even more is this nationwide fad of bastard belgian sours. "Pucker up dummies, I spiked this bad batch with crabapple juice - now pay me double for it!"
     
  13. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I don't see much need to rely on batteries with the excellent regulators we have these days.
     
  14. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    I literally thought the other way; why mess with complicated regs (I have, and don't want to anymore), when Li-Po has come so far for so cheap, and the charging stuff is off shelf good?
    At some point I will rebuild my diy Soekris on top of a Li-Po. One less mfking cable tangling out.
    With something the size of a laptop bank it would run weeks or even a month straight.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Got this in. Charging right now with the switch in off position. I wish there was an indicator for charging.
     
  16. restrav3

    restrav3 Likes Audio-GD

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    huh, is it a proprietary design interesting.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
  17. skem

    skem Friend

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    I don’t see many discrete components in their low-res photos—but I’m not sure what’s available in surface mount packages. Does anyone know of this thing is using op-amps or a discrete output stage?
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2019
  18. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    impatiently waiting for your impressions Marv.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm not sure I want to say anything.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Let me warm it up for an hour. R2R usually sounds like shit when cold.
     

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