HQ Audio ESS PRO Series

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Introduction

DAC ES9038 PRO

Andrea Ciuffoli-Quang Hao

Es9038 PRO DAC - Design by

?Based on the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9038PRO) DAC chip

?Support 44,88,96,192,352,384KHz PCM and DSD to play SACD ISO.

?Full ground isolation from USB module

?On board reference 100MHz Crystek oscillator with a jitter of 0.5psecUltra fast oscillator buffer

Output: Stereo balanced output impedance: 202 / 4 = 50 ohm

?DC-ouput: +1.65VDC.

?Output impedance: 100 Ohm.

?Output: 2-Channel (stereo) outputs can be used in current-output or voltage-output mode

(depends on output stage used)

Input: 4 inputs:

?1. USB -match with Amanero USB (not included). Have pin I2C for other USB

?2. Spdif

?3. AES/EBU.

?4. Optical

Digiltal supply:

? 1.2V core: LT3042

? 3.3V oscillator: LT3042

? 3.3V digital: LT3042

? 3.3V Top-botton chip

? 3.3V USB: LT3042 (If you not like us 3.3v from Computer for USB)

Analog supply:

?1.2V analog (left and right separated): LT3042

?3.3V analog (left and right separated): LT3042

?5V for LCD: LT1117

?5V Analog supply: LT1117

?5V Digiltal supply Digiltal supply: LT1117

On-board DAC ESD9038PRO includes:

1. ES9038PRO chip.

2. Clock 100MHz CCHD-575, Ultra-Low Phase Noise Crystal Oscillator.

3. All Input connecters, Amanero USB (not included)

4. All low noise Lt3042

5. Lm1117

Use: it is simple and need:

1. Transformer 15VA to 25VA: 2 x 6 - 8VAC:

2. Use LCD Control board off Andrea-quanghao for ES9038PRO, ES9028PRO

Andrea Ciuffoli-Quang Hao

Talema 70050 or Talema 70060 Or equivalent

I n t e g r a t i o n G u i d e

Revision V1.0

The ES9038PRO SABRE DAC - Bringing Music to Life

The ES9038PRO SABRE DAC is the flagship of the ESS PRO series. It sets a new benchmark for audio

excellence with the industry’s highest dynamic range (DNR), up to 140dB, in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC.

The ES9038PRO was designed for premium home theater equipment including Blu-ray players,

preamplifiers, all-in-one A/V receivers, and more. For serious audiophiles it provides the most

immersive listening experience — bringing music to life.

The ES9038PRO SABRE DAC also features ESS’ patented 32-bit HyperStreamDAC technology with-

122dB total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N). The HyperStream architecture is responsible for

both the outstanding sound quality of the ES9038 and the extremely low THD+N. A typical competitive,

32-Bit 8-Channel DAC using a delta-sigma architecture features-107dB THD+N (0.0004%), which when

subjected to listening tests does not equal the clarity and sound stage of the ES9038PRO.

Need help?

Do you have a question about the HQ Audio ESS PRO Series and is the answer not in the manual?

The DAC ES9038 PRO is a high-performance digital-to-analog converter designed by Andrea Ciuffoli and Quang Hao, based on the ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9038PRO) DAC chip. This device is the flagship of the ESS PRO series, setting a new benchmark for audio excellence with an industry-leading dynamic range of up to 140dB in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC. It is engineered for premium home theater equipment, including Blu-ray players, preamplifiers, and all-in-one A/V receivers, aiming to provide an immersive listening experience for serious audiophiles.

Technical Specifications and Features:

DAC Chip: ESS Sabre32 Reference (ES9038PRO).
Dynamic Range (DNR): Up to 140dB.
Resolution: 32-bit, 8-channel DAC.
HyperStreamDAC Technology: Features ESS' patented 32-bit HyperStreamDAC technology, achieving -122dB total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N). This architecture is crucial for its outstanding sound quality and extremely low THD+N, surpassing typical competitive 32-bit 8-channel DACs using delta-sigma architecture (-107dB THD+N or 0.0004%).
Supported Formats: Supports PCM at 44, 88, 96, 192, 352, 384KHz and DSD for SACD ISO playback.
Ground Isolation: Full ground isolation from the USB module to minimize interference.
Oscillator: On-board 100MHz Crystek oscillator with a jitter of 0.5psec, complemented by an ultra-fast oscillator buffer.
Output:
- Stereo balanced output impedance: 202 / 4 = 50 ohm.
- DC-output: +1.65VDC.
- Output impedance: 100 Ohm.
- 2-Channel (stereo) outputs can be configured for either current-output or voltage-output mode, depending on the output stage used.
Inputs:
- USB: Designed to match with Amanero USB (not included), includes I2C pin for other USB devices.
- SPDIF: Digital audio input.
- AES/EBU: Professional digital audio input.
- Optical: Optical digital audio input.
Digital Supply: Utilizes LT3042 low-noise regulators for various digital sections:
- 1.2V core.
- 3.3V oscillator.
- 3.3V digital.
- 3.3V Top-bottom chip.
- 3.3V USB (optional, if not using 3.3V from computer for USB).
Analog Supply: Also uses LT3042 low-noise regulators for analog sections:
- 1.2V analog (left and right separated).
- 3.3V analog (left and right separated).
- LT1117 regulators for: 5V for LCD, 5V Analog supply, 5V Digital supply.
On-board Components:
- ES9038PRO chip.
- Clock 100MHz CCHD-575, Ultra-Low Phase Noise Crystal Oscillator.
- All input connectors.
- All low noise LT3042 regulators.
- LM1117 regulators.

Usage Features:

Power Supply: Requires a transformer (15VA to 25VA) with 2 x 6-8VAC output (e.g., Talema 70050 or 70060 or equivalent).
Control: Connects to an LCD Control board (wire 6 pin) for ES9038PRO/ES9028PRO.
USB Power for Amanero: The device offers an option to supply 3.3V to the USB Amanero module directly from the DAC. This requires cutting a circuit at position C9 to remove 5VDC from the computer and turning on switch Sd1 to the "On" position.
Remote Control and On-board Buttons:
- Standby Mode: Available.
- Volume Display: High volume display.
- LCD Display: 20 x 4 LCD display shows input, frequency, and settings.
- Input Selection: 4-way input selection (USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF-RCA, Optical) with frequency display on LCD.
- Power Control: Turn on/off with remote control or buttons.
- Customizable Protocols: Set up volume, input, filter, frequency, and left/right channel settings.
- Filter Modes: Selectable filter modes (Pass band: 47kHz, 50kHz, 60kHz, 70kHz).
- PCM Filter Characteristics: Options include Fast, Slow Roll-Off, Apodizing, Hybrid, Brickwall.
- Output Channel Selection: Select and store left or right channel output (L-R) without needing to reverse the output.
- Volume Range: Maximum 0 dB, minimum -99dB.
- Settings Storage: Store settings according to preferences, including volume levels (lowest -100dB, largest 0dB) and filter choices.
Music Player Setup:
- General: To use with all PCM sampling frequencies and DSD sample rates, configure music players (Foobar2000, Jriver, etc.) to use Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI), Kernel Streaming (KS), or Audio Streaming Input Output (ASIO).
- Direct Sound (DS): Using default Windows driver (Direct Sound) will limit the DAC to a specific frequency set in the Windows Audio control panel.
- Kernel Streaming (KS) and ASIO: Requires setting a different sound device as predefined in Windows Audio control panel to free the Amanero for application control. KS is a lower-level mode with less software stratification. WASAPI is generally recommended for PCM and DSD tracks due to fewer problems.
- Foobar2000: More complex setup. Requires downloading SACD support (foo_input_sacd-0.6.1.zip), ASIO4ALL (ASIO4ALL 2.11 Beta1), and Kernel Streaming support (foo_out_ks.dll). These files need to be copied to the C:\Program\foobar2000\components directory. ASIO4ALL should be selected as the output device.
- JRiver: Simpler setup. Supports 44, 88, 96, 192, 384KHz PCM, DSD files, and SACD ISO. Configure Audio Output to "Kernel Streaming" and enable "Bitstreaming: Yes (DSD over PCM (DoP))" with DoP Format 1.0 (0XFA / 0x05).
- Audirvana (MAC OS): Simple setup for DSD files and SACD ISO. General optimization includes deactivating iTunes playback and volume control. Sound quality optimizations include deactivating play position control by iTunes. Native DSD Capability should be set to "DSD over PCM standard 1.0". Max sample rate limit and bitdepth can be configured. System optimization options include Audirvana Plus priority, disabling Spotlight, Time Machine, and iDevices detection on USB. Converter can be set to iZotope 64-bit SRC with adjustable quality and advanced parameters like steepness and filter max length. AudioUnits effects can be used.

Maintenance Features:

Fuse Protection: Integrated fuse protection for 220 VAC power supply (5W).
Structural Design: Robust design for long-term reliability.

The DAC ES9038 PRO is a comprehensive and high-fidelity audio solution, offering advanced features and flexible configuration options for discerning audio enthusiasts.