ESS ES9023 V3.0

As mentioned on the previous page the ES9023 DAC (now dubbed the Subbu DAC) has evolved to a final version V3.0.

For this build I ordered boards and the required parts through the respective Group Buys on Diyaudio. Since the layout of this DAC is very compact this was also to be my first real SMD soldering project, and all worked out just fine with the right equipment, tools and a good dose of patience! Only minor reflowing was needed to get it working instantly. Parts selection was according to the BoM with only the best parts selected for the task, like SAL-RPM, solid polymer and Wima film caps to name a few.

The Subbu V3.0 DAC was teamed up with a WaveIO-USB converter for input duty and a rare Joachim Gerhard Filter Buffer (JGFB) for the output. Both WaveIO and the Buffer were powered by Sjostrom Audio super regulators... in the end this seemed to be the most convenient way after also considering other options like a battery supply or "simpler" regulators. 

All the boards and their respective power supplies were put in a custom case with solid wooden sides out of Walnut Burl and machined front and rear plates. Inside the case a massive aluminum bar in the middle separates signal and power section.