Kategorie: XMOS-XU208/U8

Singxer/XMOS-audioclass2-driver now at V4.67 -/ firmware-repair on “bricked” XMOS-devices

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so , 😉

many, many thx to our great user “Grigory”  😉 we have now new Singxer/Skysong/XMOS-device-driver at V4.67 ; they are from here ->https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/Singxer/Singxer_USB_Audio_Class2-Driver_v4.67.0.rar

(they are also in the forum ->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=431 + here -> http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/driver/Singxer_USB_Audio_Class2-Driver_v4.67.0.rar

but most important and what is absolutely more thrilling is that “we/Grigory” un-bricked a xmos-usb-device/Skysong-bridge !!! 😉

“Grigory” posted the steps + (software-) tools in the comment-section of this post -> http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/?p=448#comment-2106

i think the key-point is these github-repository from which u can download/use the python-dfu uploader/downloader which u can also use with other XMOS-devices than Singxer/Skysong; u only have to change the usb-pid-number to the exact pid of your bridge (more in the comments by “Grigory” (and me))..

->https://github.com/respeaker/mic_array_dfu.git  (+https://github.com/respeaker/usb_4_mic_array

(a little excerpt->rest see comments->

git clone https://github.com/respeaker/mic_array_dfu.git
cd mic_array_dfu/src

edit xmosdfu.c file and replace string
#define XMOS_XCORE_AUDIO_AUDIO2_PID 0x3066
to
#define XMOS_XCORE_AUDIO_AUDIO2_PID 0x3086 (for Skysong))

(the Skysong/Singxer firmware (V2.20) (“extract” from my bridge here)->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/driver/firmware-skysong.rar

UPDATE: “Grigory” made a fine tutorial on github about to flash some winbond-chip with a programmer + full “firmware”-packet ->

https://github.com/h0tc0d3/SkySongFirmware

so, i´m very happy with the whole “procedure” because this was also a point essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com was originally made for !! (to help other user/people with similar problems !!)

by that, “Grigory” !! was so nice, and spent a little amount via paypal (u can also do it via the “donation”-button at the right bottom/widgets) to help this blog to stay alive.. 😉

but many greets, stay tuned and take care !! 😉

SFB2

Raspberry Pi 4B 2GB arrived / Volumio now at V2.714

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so, 😉

finally the Raspberry Pi 4B 2GB arrived here->still an improvement in sound-quality and clarity..less jitter, more exact due to more processor-power and when u first power on your raspberry (here with an XMOS-bridge and then via I2S to an ES9038Q2M) u really got the the feel that the Pi is made for music !! 😉 (i think its also because of the short electronical circuits on the board, absolutely low latencies))..

absolutely fantastic, beats absolutely a lot of other DAC/PC/USB-combinations, wonderful 😉

fired it up with Volumio V2.714, its now with a changed UI->https://volumio.org/get-started/

plays here DSD256 without any problems (see other posts here for configuring Volumio with an XMOS-bridge)..->

and because the Pi 4B has finally a Gbit-Lan + USB3.0 (and more Ram + processor-power) its makes now so much fun to browse through your media-libraries and play it (“instant”), great 😉

nothing else special, particular by now but many greets and stay tuned 😉

For the last time: real DSD/Dop via volumio->usb-xmos-device->I2S->ES9038Q2M

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so, 😉

as we had it here in discussion:”is it possible to get real (native) DSD/Dop on the ES9038Q2M to work ?” (with the DSD-lock-light on<-thats important because foobar for example indicated “Dop” but it is internally converted to PCM and the DSD-lock-light stays “off”)

(SkySong->full blue DSD-indication (DSD256 in this case) + DSD lock-light ES9038Q2M)

in my experience here now/to date u can get it only with Volumio (or similar) and via an usb-connection to an usb-xmos-device and from there via I2S to the ES9038Q2M/Pro etc..(its also about the native-usb-audio-driver in linux)

I didnt got DSD to work via the “normal” I2S-connection on a Raspberry for example..(and i/we tested a lot..)

I have now here a DSD256-file, playing it in volumio with the following settings: (for newbies 😉 )->no mixer, no resampling..

greets for now !! 😉

SFB2

New XMOS-XU208-device / Leaf Audio 2017/8/2 / Thesycon eval. driver 4.13

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so, 😉

after i´ve decided to give my “good-old” very good Skysong XMOS-XU208 a rest/use it only on my raspberry via volumio and usb to get finally real DSD/Dop (means DSD-lock-light is on (on the ES9038Q2M))(more later/in a later post), i´ve ordered a second device via ebay/cost around 30€, its a “Leaf Audio” with also an external 5V-option + Coaxial-out (up to 192khz)

first impression: very light (in weight), but looks relatively “hi-fi”; first sound-tests: very “exactly/with contur”, but not so with the fine resolution as the Skysong->it depends also on the oscillators on the board (see pictures)->this is the “cheap”-version..the skysong has more high-end-ones..(but the skysong costs double of the price (around 60€)..

“Driver-wise” it installed “Microsoft HiFi-DSD” (never seen it before), thought it would install “xmos-usb” or similar..

for that i couldnt got the driver from the seller, i searched for some and because i also got a “XMOS DFU” in the device manager i´ve downloaded some driver-pack from thesycon with dfu support; its here (link) (see pictures)..

more later…

many greets for now !! 😉

SFB2

Bargain of the day->Topping D50S ! (Dual ES9038Q2M +XU208 +BT + Remote) / AK4137 SRC

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so folks 😉 ,
sorry thats its a little bit silent here on essabre-90xx-rpi lately, but there were a lot of other things to do 😉 , but i´ve just seen by chance this bargain on massdrop->
Topping D50S, XU208+Dual ES9038Q2M + BT + Remote for only 200$ !! ->
LINK
vs. “old” D50->
the D50S (in opposite to the D50) has a built-in BT-modul (was at first sight, in aspect to the “ultimate hi-fi”, is not soo good) but also comes with a remote-control + had made some improvement “soundwise”, means they solved the “IMD ESS hum”, where at mid-levels, intermodulation distortion suddenly rises”..

very good test/article about the D50S is here->https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-new-topping-d50s-dac.7914/

also they made some minor sound-improvements (all in the article)..

https://drop.com/buy/topping-d50s-dac?utm_source=linkshare&referer=Y6KDJ4

as said for only 200$ (190$ if u first join massdrop via these essabre-links here(“Xavier”)) its maybe worth a try..
so and as lately said that the onboard spdif-conversion (on the ES9038Q2M) is not so optimal we have to look for an alternative and also somebody said at my praised diyaudio.com-forum->Link that “..upsampling to DSD is always better concerning thd/snr and so on, because of eliminating/move the noise in an unaudible range..” and to reduce jitter i´m thinking about to buy some SRC4192..(SNR= 768khz, DR: 186dB !! ● THD+N: -150dB ) -> http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/?p=1833

there are some around for only 27$ on ebay->Link and the “high-end”-version with toslink and coaxial option + 1.3″ display (+ AK4118 spdif-receiver chip) for 80$->Link..

my goal at present is to raise the sq directly from a transporter via spdif and then maybe upsampled, but still more jitter-less to feed it in the ES9038Q2M..

will maybe then report more about it..

by that the raspberry 4B+ is out and so on..maybe then more,

greets for now !! 😉

SFB2

essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com will move (to a new server) + Nuforce Udac5 + SMSL SMSL X-USB II

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so, 😉
unfortunately nothing new here in “modding” the ES9038Q2M; still on the search for the right transformer->there are some on Ebay+Aliexpress+Audiophonics but didnt make a choice till now:(15V-0V-15V)

Moode is now at V5.0-> (http://moodeaudio.org/)

and as also said in their description->
“Most USB audio devices work with moOde via the Linux kernel USB audio driver but some devices with high speed UAC2 chipsets may require the USB (UAC2) work around in System Config”
“the way-to-go” (and to get “real” DoP/DSD) is nowadays (IMO) via some XMOS-USB-device->I2S->ES90XX..
we had it here in discussion, and with the new USB2.0(3.0) linux-kernel-driver u can achieve real DoP/DSD with the ES9038Q2M; and only then..
by that, as also said, with USB3.0, + a wonderful xmos-bridge (see some posts before) + ES9038Q2M u already have a superb “tune”, really near to the “unbeaten” raspberry pi-I2S-ES9038Q2M-connection..(and its absolutely more comfortable)..
by that in speaking of a wonderful XMOS-usb-bridge we have now here a “SMSL X-USB II Digital Interface USB XMOS U208 to I2S LVDS HDMI ” (70€) with I2S->over HDMI which also said in some posts before, is the most “handiest “-possibilty to connect to an ES9038Q2M (with some I2S->LVDS converter directly connected to the dac-board)->
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/digital-interfaces/smsl-x-usb-ii-digital-interface-usb-xmos-u208-to-i2s-lvds-hdmi-optical-coaxial-32bit-768khz-dsd512-silver-p-13739.html



(post -> http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/2018/12/hdmi-i2s-lvds-to-i2s-modules/)
SPECIFICATIONS
Product type USB Interface
USB Interface chip XMOS U208
Input 1x Micro USB
Outputs 1x I2S LVDS via HDMI
1x Coaxial S/PDIF
1x Optical Toslink
Supported sampling rate I2S : PCM up to 32bit 768kHz / DSD up to DSD512
Optique, Coaxial : PCM up to 24bit 192kHz / DSD64
THD+N < 0.00002% Dynamic range > 140dB
SNR > 140dB
OS Compatibilité Windows, OSX, iOS, Android

by that “essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com” will move next month or so to a new server due to cost/performance reasons; i hope i can move this site/blog/forum without great problems to the new location; excuse me then for any conveniance->a mirror (from this site) is just set-up at -> http://essabre.ddnss.org <- is just right now only for testing; the main url (essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com will (hopefully, 99%) remain); u can test the above-url performance-wise.. (more > Nuforce Udac5 in Part 2)..
greets for now !!

Little update: Skysong XMOS-USB-Bridge external power supply 5V / interesting discussion “real” DoP

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so my dear visitors, 😉
after this little site got so much resonance (which i never expected) and i finally found the “real” reason for the stuttering in my Skysong-XMOS-USB-Bridge – ES9038Q2M combo->it was the power-supply (more shortly) and i have got now such a wonderful/brilliant sound here + a very interesting discussion/topic was coming up concerning “real” DoP (DSD) on the Sabre-boards with the “DSD-lock-light “ON“, i thought i maybe make a new post..
and excuse me, its all very “repeating” here on the blog (said it before), but its a blog, with a little “Life-line” and so we have to live with it 😉 ..
back to the first topic: as said in this post->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/2018/04/es9038q2mskysong-singxer-xmos-usb-bridge-final-thoughts-settings-tone-optimization/->”..by that to provide the Skysong/Singxer USB-bridge with an external 5V power supply also boosted the overall performance of the Bridge by 10-15% !! absolutely to recommend !!..” i had lately this “stuttering” on the combo again, thought first the ESS-PCB/-chip is damaged, had not enough power etc.. but at present it looks like the wonderful,wonderful usb-bridge is getting a little bit older, and a few days ago in searching for the reason i plugged again the external 5V power supply in and hooray: the stuttering was gone and the tune/sound really improved again, so great, the positioning, the absolutely more exactly tone and so on !!
really,really wonderful bridge !!

(i´ve got the luck that i´ve got the “deluxe”-version with the golden Crystek + some other modifications; absolutely superb !! i´ve read somewhere else that the skysong-bridges are the ones with the “finest” xmos-implementation and so on..i can absolutely confirm it from here !!)

the interesting thing is now that i was/am an absolutely Raspberry Pi-I2S-ESS Sabre-board fan/defender, absolutely superb sound, absolutely jitterless and so on (in comparison to any PC-soundcards or other DACs etc.) i must say, that such a combo with this skysong-bridge + nowadays USB3.0 (which had also a great effect on the “tune” here (vs. the old USB2.0)) is really close/tight to it !!
it is an absolutely improvement via USB3.0 + some external power supply (as said), really close to some Raspberry Pi->I2S connection..

by that “Johnson Wu” had a very interesting question (here in the comment-section on the right) concerning real “DoP”(DSD) sound with DSD-lock-light ON on the Essabre-boards->look at the comments on the right (or at the bottom of this post->http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/2018/09/volumio-now-at-v2-452-did-it-dsd-lock-light-on-es9038q2m-alsamixer-archphile-xmos-usb-audio-etc/#comment-1148

more to come,many greets for now !! 😉

New ESS chip out !! -> ES8620 audio-solution (usb-bridge) !! / Gustard U-16

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so, 😉
found by chance this new ESS-Baby 😉 in searching for new driver on shenzhenaudio..
Gustard U-16 (ES8620) !!

https://www.shenzhenaudio.com/gustard-u16-es8620-support-pcm32bit-768k-dsd512-dop-and-native-dsd-digital-interface.html(284$)
->”Adopting the latest USB audio interface solution ES8620 from ESS, USA
Supports up to PCM 32bit/768KHz and DSD512, and supports both DoP and Native DSD.
ESS’s USB interface chip design is a completely optimized architecture for high-quality digital audio signal processing. It is not a general-purpose chip with USB digital audio interface code, so it has immediate impact on sound quality improvement;”
“…128MB SDRAM is used as the system buffer and digital audio processing FIFO..”
“..the machine uses up to three FPGAs to implement USB audio interface clock management and external 10M clock part of the audio clock frequency synthesizer..”



first (interesting) review i found is here->https://www.dastereo.ru/t/gustard-u16-debyutnyj-konverter-na-es8620-xmos-amanero-upali-otzhalis/28117

didnt find any real opinions/soundtests against the other ES-chips till now (Update: and i guess i won´t find any at all because it is (unfortunately) only a “usb-bridge” (more or less)->”High performance usb digital audio interface” 😉 )

more to come, greets !! 😉

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