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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 13:13:24 GMT -6
So, I need a show of virtual hands to figure out how many A/D converters to have made in the first runs so I can budget accordingly.
I also understand that when this kind of things comes around lots of folks say they are going to buy, however, the actual number of buyers is quite a bit smaller once it comes time to actually send money... So if you are on the fence, at least say so, as this is going to be a big cash outlay on my part for the first units of a device I'm not even sure more than 5-6 people have expressed much interest in.
Also, if you are interested in the forthcoming DAC upgrade, let me know that as well.
ADC:
1/4 TRS Stereo Analog to SPDIF/AES
PCM4222/DIT4192
ADA4898 or LM4562 opamps
Chassis:
1U chassis with internal power supply, 120/240VAC
Microprocessor controlled bit depth and sample rate switching via the front panel
LCD screen for ease of setup
Projected price with ADC board with chassis: 375-400USD
DAC(preliminary):
SPDIF/AES to 1/4 TRS stereo analog
Dual/single PCM1794/WM8804
ADA4898 or LM4562 opamps
Single card upgrade to the ADC chassis with ability to be used standalone
Microprocessor controlled bit depth and sample rate override
Automatic bit depth/sample rate setting via SPDIF stream
Projected price: 350-400USD
That would make the ADC+DAC cards in a chassis around est. 800$USD
The chassis can be populated with either the ADC or DAC cards, or both! You'll be able to order these combinations when they are available.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2014 13:46:10 GMT -6
Sorry to h ave to ask. Can you give a run down of features and connections and approximate price?
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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 13:56:36 GMT -6
Sorry to h ave to ask. Can you give a run down of features and connections and approximate price? That's mostly in the "secret project" thread, but I'll add it to the first post in this thread. |
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Post by wiz on Nov 21, 2014 14:23:57 GMT -6
If this thing runs on 240V 50 Hz
I am in
need some start up cash...I will pay for mine now.
cheers
Wiz
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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 14:29:03 GMT -6
If this thing runs on 240V 50 Hz I am in need some start up cash...I will pay for mine now. cheers Wiz I found some affordable AC input connectors with 120/240 switching. The power transformers have dual primaries so it should be as easy as switching the box from 120 to 240 for you! I'm not accepting any payment until I have units in hand and ready to ship. I really hate when people take your money and you don't hear from them for days to months to never! |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Nov 21, 2014 14:31:22 GMT -6
If this thing runs on 240V 50 Hz I am in need some start up cash...I will pay for mine now. cheers Wiz I found some affordable AC input connectors with 120/240 switching. The power transformers have dual primaries so it should be as easy as switching the box from 120 to 240 for you! I'm not accepting any payment until I have units in hand and ready to ship. I really hate when people take your money and you don't hear from them for days to months to never! When are you looking at having units in hand? |
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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 14:44:36 GMT -6
I found some affordable AC input connectors with 120/240 switching. The power transformers have dual primaries so it should be as easy as switching the box from 120 to 240 for you! I'm not accepting any payment until I have units in hand and ready to ship. I really hate when people take your money and you don't hear from them for days to months to never! When are you looking at having units in hand? I'll have 4x prototype ADC motherboards and 4x LCD PCBs in a week or so, then stuffing those and getting them up and running for testing should take another couple days if everything goes well. I'll be working on a prototype chassis design at the same time after I get PCBs for test fitting. Once I do that, I'll be in contact with a few folks who do chassis work to see what can be done with my ideas. In the meantime I'll be doing more testing and hopefully finishing up the firmware. Mainly this is to communicate between the ADC and DAC boards for the LCD/front panel controls and ironing out master/slave situations for future expansions or standalone operations. If all this continues smoothly, I'd say first pilot protos in mid-January depending on chassis work. The first ones might be hand made. I'd like to avoid this if possible, but it's not out of the question yet. I'm already working on the DAC schematic and will work on the PCB as I can over the next few weeks, but won't have anything manufactured until I get working ADC boards as they will hopefully share the same general layout to save me layout time. This is all based on my assumption that my day job is still kinda slow through the holiday season. If I get significant work, I'm forced to put this on hold. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 21, 2014 15:08:34 GMT -6
I'll commit to an ADC.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Nov 21, 2014 15:09:15 GMT -6
I want both ADC/DAC. Needs to go both ways.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
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Post by ericn on Nov 21, 2014 15:20:08 GMT -6
In for an AD and will probably go DA as well.
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 21, 2014 15:22:08 GMT -6
BTW - can you make it more attractive than the RM? (No offense, RM) Are you putting that flashy LCD screen on there?
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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 15:38:07 GMT -6
BTW - can you make it more attractive than the RM? (No offense, RM) Are you putting that flashy LCD screen on there? Yes, it'll have that nice LCD. It won't be terribly complex on the outside. An LCD and a couple buttons in the front. I do need to figure a way to make it more cool looking. I have some industrial designer friends that I might be able to persuade to help out. |
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 21, 2014 15:57:36 GMT -6
I'm in for both, ADC/DAC.
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Post by deehope on Nov 21, 2014 16:47:15 GMT -6
Will the dac be equivalent to a superbeast?
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Post by tonycamphd on Nov 21, 2014 17:58:08 GMT -6
I'm down with both please, take your time though bromee, i'd rather wait for it done right than you being pressured into a hurry.
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Post by svart on Nov 21, 2014 18:23:17 GMT -6
Will the dac be equivalent to a superbeast? Yep. Equivalent in function. I don't know if it's equivalent in design other than using the same dac chip. |
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Post by jimwilliams on Nov 21, 2014 20:24:42 GMT -6
I'll take a DAC if you use the ADA4898 opamps and direct couple them. I'd pay extra for those chips.
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Post by RicFoxx on Nov 22, 2014 6:48:35 GMT -6
1DA for me please!
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Post by category5 on Nov 22, 2014 9:41:30 GMT -6
Kcat just messaged me about this and while I haven't dug into the deets fully yet put me down for both converters you're working on. I suppose there's another thread with specifics but I definitely dislike the the Ross Martin stuff because of the overall "patchwork" style of build design, poor enclosure, lack of acceptable clocking options, etc. (never mind the ;ack of correspondence and long lead times). If you've got provisions for dealing with things like that, the chips kcat messaged me about are certainly top-tier products and I don't see why an exceptional sounding set of converters can't be fashioned.
Cool stuff guys. I'm finding myself enjoying wandering around RGO more and more (as free time permits).
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 22, 2014 12:01:47 GMT -6
cat5 deets in the diy secret thread !
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Post by formatcyes on Nov 22, 2014 13:27:05 GMT -6
I will take one Thanks.. AD
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 22, 2014 15:42:36 GMT -6
svart I am on the fence but certainly thinking about both AD and DA, so a definite maybe, I will need to sell something to make it happen, but I understand the quality of your approach; just need to get my 47 all paid for !
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Post by svart on Nov 24, 2014 8:17:13 GMT -6
So it looks like we're up to 8x ADC and 7x DACs potentially. I'll probably have 20-25 sets of boards made and 10-15 enclosures made when it comes time if nobody else wants one. It looks in order for it to be even close to reasonably priced for both myself and the buyer, I have to have boards made in the 20+ range. I might have to make them in batches for the first couple runs in order to pay myself back and build some capital to have steady production after that. Also, I need to think up a name. As catchy as the "RGO speedwagon" is, I don't think it'll work for mass appeal..  |
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Post by svart on Nov 24, 2014 8:21:34 GMT -6
It also looks like people are asking for the DAC options that will add considerable cost to the design. That's fine with me, but it'll add maybe 75-100$ to the DAC total to do a dual DAC/superfast opamp version. Since the difference between stereo and dual mono versions is only 3db, I might forgo the dual dac option and just retain the fast opamps. 3db isn't necessarily worth adding 75$ to the price tag I think.
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Post by tonycamphd on Nov 24, 2014 10:28:48 GMT -6
It also looks like people are asking for the DAC options that will add considerable cost to the design. That's fine with me, but it'll add maybe 75-100$ to the DAC total to do a dual DAC/superfast opamp version. Since the difference between stereo and dual mono versions is only 3db, I might forgo the dual dac option and just retain the fast opamps. 3db isn't necessarily worth adding 75$ to the price tag I think. i say again, i'll gladly pay it! 8) When you advertise this thing to the public you'll be able to brag up all that stuff(something that RM doesn't do very well), "single channel dual stereo 1794a chip design" "isolated power supply's" "crazy good crosstalk specs" "most expensive state of the art opamps" "no compromise professional prism killer in a pro case 8)"(you get my point), they will be the best stereo converters out there! Your price is still way beyond reasonable with $75 added imo. I noticed over on GS that Ross is taking a public nose dive due to his astonishingly bad customer service, that void is waiting for you to fill it, but i think if your rig doesn't match his flagship combo spec wise, it could hurt the cause. Honestly, anyone who's into this stuff enough to even know who RM is, will know enough to appreciate the added quality and shell out a couple extra bucks for a no compromise piece. JMO I will support you either way, but i will definitely end up with the best sounding stereo ADDA combo i can afford... or even not afford, i'd rather end my search with your rig for sure, as that would be as cool as it gets 8) Go RGO Speedwagon! lol |
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