A new R2R Butterfly to ponder... AquaHiFi Formula

[JonMarsh]

Perhaps the name translates or reads better in the native Italian. AquaHiFi is from Milan... why can't we have more interesting new audio players in the US of A, instead of social media start ups? I know, probably greed and access to money from investors.

But regardless, my colleague and friend in Munich, who hasn't yet moved back to Singapore, is evaluating a new DAC and is quite impressed, especially at it is AC powered, not battery supplied, and has no re-clocking or rubidium standard in the signal path, while his reference setup has all of that.

http://www.aquahifi.com/formula.html

Modular, and readily upgradeable, it uses a proprietary R2R NOS setup, like the TotalDAC-Dx series. It is actually available in Canada and the US, through a distributor and dealers.


It has a lot of intriguing design features, but rather than paraphrasing that info, I'll just send you to this capable and interesting review at 6moons.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/aqua2/1.html

There are lots and lots of beautiful pictures of PCB, certainly enough to tantalize the DIY junkies among us (you know who you are) and also to satisfy those looking for an impeccably built product.

[wkhanna]

the power section looks quite interesting.

[wkhanna]

Jon,

OT, but i was wondering if you had any knowledge regarding these?

Soekris Engineering, Inc.

[JonMarsh]

Yes, I do. ;-)

[wkhanna]

then shall i read into the 'wink' emoticon that if one were to purse a DIY DAC then this might be a good candidate?

[JonMarsh]

Yes, but I was more interested in them for this...

http://soekris.com/products/audio-products/consumer-line-dac1101.html

you might write them and see if they've will be back in stock, or if that relationship is terminated. (would save me the effort- was considering that an an "inexpensive" traveling DAC... ) (no time for case building here)

I do recommend going with the more expensive version with the higher precision resistors.

Note how nicely things look at lower input signal levels-

You WILL need a good preamp/buffer stage- 625 ohms is NOT really a low output Impedance. Maybe short cables going in to a Freya? :W

For me, this has limited appeal because of the interfaces (or lack of) available - I'm more a AES/EBU kind of guy... USB a distant second. If I had a Signature Rendu, like the one I transshipped to my friend in Munich, with I2S, it would be different- but I don't.

[wkhanna]

Yes, but I was more interested in them for this...


http://soekris.com/products/audio-pr...e-dac1101.html

bonus answer! i was dying to ask you about those, too.

you might write them and see if they've will be back in stock, or if that relationship is terminated. (would save me the effort- was considering that an an "inexpensive" traveling DAC... ) (no time for case building here)

i sent an inquiry....we shall see....

I do recommend going with the more expensive version with the higher precision resistors.

Note how nicely things look at lower input signal levels-

duly noted when i first scanned the specs

You WILL need a good preamp/buffer stage- 625 ohms is NOT really a low output Impedance. Maybe short cables going in to a Freya? :W

oh my, that does sound like a wonderful combo!!!!

For me, this has limited appeal because of the interfaces (or lack of) available - I'm more a AES/EBU kind of guy... USB a distant second. If I had a Signature Rendu, like the one I transshipped to my friend in Munich, with I2S, it would be different- but I don't.

would something like this be appropriate for a PS?
also, would my rubidium clock have an application here, too?

[JonMarsh]

That could likely work. But...

If this is within your budgetary limits for the power supply, I'd recommend giving it a consideration, especially as this is Analog we're talking about...

https://uptoneaudio.com/products/ultracap-lps-1

Switchable from 3.3 to 5 to 7V. I use 7V for the microRendu.

[wkhanna]

Yep.....that is the Cadillac.......
maybe after i get a project compete i will upgrade to that level.......first i gotta get something built & working!

looking at one of these for now......


good news on the portable player front!

Jeff Forster <order@soekris.com> Today at 4:07 PM
To
william hanna
Message body
We should have more in stock in the next couple of days.

I will email you when they are here.

Thanks,
--
Jeff Forster
Soekris Engineering, Inc.
5 Erba Lane, Suite B
Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4160

Phone (831) 438-5014, Fax (877) 681-6114




edit: these guys are not too far from you.....

[JonMarsh]

The regulator looks pretty good- that is a good part from LT, and the choke rectifier helps. The biggest issue with a lot of relatively conventional supplies like this is the common mode noise they can bleed into the system, just across the transformer windings from the AC line. This is what the Ultra Cap avoids.

Go for it... and thanks for following up with SoeKris. They are pretty close by- relative to a lot of things, but it would be a 2-3 hour drive. Quicker to get to Ron's...

[wkhanna]

Jon,
regarding the dac 1101......sent you a time-sensitive PM

[DreamOn]

Aqua HiFi Quality.

Hi Jon
We recently had one of these units (the Aqua) in our shop (Brooks Berdan Ltd.) for Warranty repair. It needed a new USB module which was quickly sent from Italy. The repaired unit sounded very good, on par with some of our finer units. The repair tech marveled at quality and attention to build details. Excellent pride in manufacturing . Interestingly the USB board power comes via the USB cable from the source. it is not internally powered, by the sound it must be well filtered.

[JonMarsh]

Thanks for the feedback. My friend did end up buying the unit (a demonstrator) he was trying out. The many pictures at 6moons of the unit internals speak to the design integrity and build quality- of course, in the end, it's the music that matters.

My friend has some customized "mono" TotalDAC units- all the R2R networks operating as just one channel- it further lowers the noise floor. And they're running of batteries with Paul Hynes Shunt regulators.

Me, I'm a poor working class Engineer, so I have to get by with a D1-Dual. Fortunately, I don't normally hear it and my friend's special versions back to back, so I'm not emotionally crippled by the difference... :W. :B

[JonMarsh]

Jon,
regarding the dac 1101......sent you a time-sensitive PM

I may have missed your window- unfortunately, yesterday was hell on wheels at work! :W

[wkhanna]

no worries,

mission accomplished

[JonMarsh]

I do plan to buy a couple of those regulator kits... the only thing missing is a good common mode choke... need to think about that...