The John Westlake/Lakewest MDAC/FDAC, VFET and Detox
- Thread starter Tony L
- Start date
Ian M
pfm Member
From Facebook:
2023 will see the release of the Canvas DacX system
- This is the "Canvas" mainframe and an initial selection of DAC and UMS modules (Universal Module System). This is a full width DAC - the technology has outgrown the MDAC's small form factor. Trying to squeeze the new design within the original MDAC chassis resulted in too many design compromises being made.
The Canvas mainframe has 7 module slots + 1 DAC expansion "Card" slot:-
The Canvas's 7 module slots are:-
x1 CPU / Streamer module (Option)
x5 UMS - Universal Module Slot's
x1 Modulator / Digital filter module
One UMS module is 36mm Wide, 200mm Deep & 70mm High. The Canvas UMS system is designed to handle x1 (36mm), x2 (73mm), x3 (110mm), x4 (184mm) and even x5 (221mm) wide UMS modules.
All currently planned UMS modules are UMS.1 Modules (x1 36mm wide modules) – with only the planned ADC+ Phonostage module being a (x2 wide) UMS.2 module (73mm wide) - this allows isolation of the Digital ADC section and High Gain Analogue Phono stage within the module. However the Canvas Mainframe is design to allow an upto 221mm wide UMS module if ever required (you could even incorporate the CPU and Digital modulator modules giving you an x7 258mm wide UMS.7 module).
Being a fullwidth, CNC'ed chassis with a very complex and complete front panel, UMS Expansion Bus, Clock and PSU sections, the BASIC Canvas Mainframe (sans GPS / sans Atomic clock options) is going to be expensive – I'll be happy if the HEAVILY supported “At Cost” price to the original project development sponsors – the Canvas mainframe can be sold for GBP1500 (without UMS / DAC modules).
The UMS modules will be cheaper to development sponsors at say GBP250 to GBP350 for the cheaper variants – with the High end DAC “Card” depending on variant – the Transformer versions being the most expensive – the transformers alone are about GBP300 a pair...
The reason behind my long post is that the Canvas DacX system will be more expensive then the originally planned “simple MDAC upgrade” – which comes at hard times, so a planned version is to allow x1 or x2 UMS.1 modules to be installed within the the MDAC chassis (with new front and rear panel) – this will allow a much costed down DAC – considerably feature limited compared to the Canvas DacX system - but allows access to some of the DacX Tech.
The MDAC UMS approuch allows a more affordable DAC, and when funds allow, the UMS modules can then be later transfered into the Canvas DacX system – an upgrade path reusing the already purchased UMS modules.
There will be a Dual ESS 9028Pro UMS.1 DAC module with discrete Class A Output Stage etc. This offers everything the original MDAC upgrade promised (with HiRes / Native DSD etc)...
The Canvas DacX system with its UMS modules will be released first, then VFET Amps, then the MDAC2 UMS System.
2023 will see the release of the Canvas DacX system
- This is the "Canvas" mainframe and an initial selection of DAC and UMS modules (Universal Module System). This is a full width DAC - the technology has outgrown the MDAC's small form factor. Trying to squeeze the new design within the original MDAC chassis resulted in too many design compromises being made.The Canvas mainframe has 7 module slots + 1 DAC expansion "Card" slot:-
The Canvas's 7 module slots are:-
x1 CPU / Streamer module (Option)
x5 UMS - Universal Module Slot's
x1 Modulator / Digital filter module
One UMS module is 36mm Wide, 200mm Deep & 70mm High. The Canvas UMS system is designed to handle x1 (36mm), x2 (73mm), x3 (110mm), x4 (184mm) and even x5 (221mm) wide UMS modules.
All currently planned UMS modules are UMS.1 Modules (x1 36mm wide modules) – with only the planned ADC+ Phonostage module being a (x2 wide) UMS.2 module (73mm wide) - this allows isolation of the Digital ADC section and High Gain Analogue Phono stage within the module. However the Canvas Mainframe is design to allow an upto 221mm wide UMS module if ever required (you could even incorporate the CPU and Digital modulator modules giving you an x7 258mm wide UMS.7 module).
Being a fullwidth, CNC'ed chassis with a very complex and complete front panel, UMS Expansion Bus, Clock and PSU sections, the BASIC Canvas Mainframe (sans GPS / sans Atomic clock options) is going to be expensive – I'll be happy if the HEAVILY supported “At Cost” price to the original project development sponsors – the Canvas mainframe can be sold for GBP1500 (without UMS / DAC modules).
The UMS modules will be cheaper to development sponsors at say GBP250 to GBP350 for the cheaper variants – with the High end DAC “Card” depending on variant – the Transformer versions being the most expensive – the transformers alone are about GBP300 a pair...
The reason behind my long post is that the Canvas DacX system will be more expensive then the originally planned “simple MDAC upgrade” – which comes at hard times, so a planned version is to allow x1 or x2 UMS.1 modules to be installed within the the MDAC chassis (with new front and rear panel) – this will allow a much costed down DAC – considerably feature limited compared to the Canvas DacX system - but allows access to some of the DacX Tech.
The MDAC UMS approuch allows a more affordable DAC, and when funds allow, the UMS modules can then be later transfered into the Canvas DacX system – an upgrade path reusing the already purchased UMS modules.
There will be a Dual ESS 9028Pro UMS.1 DAC module with discrete Class A Output Stage etc. This offers everything the original MDAC upgrade promised (with HiRes / Native DSD etc)...
The Canvas DacX system with its UMS modules will be released first, then VFET Amps, then the MDAC2 UMS System.
adamdea
You are not a sound quality evaluation device
Yes. This would make makes no sense outside of a context in which in order to avoid actually doing anything John periodically changes the plan. But “This offers everything the original MDAC upgrade promised (with HiRes / Native DSD etc)..” is something special. How about a product delivered by 2014. Isn’t that something it promised?
Craig B
Re:trophile
Not? There was mentioned expensive transformers, are they not for that?
Whaleblue
Southbound
No mention of a specific CPS, aka Clairvoyant Production Schedule, though.
Shouldn’t that be pointing at “NO”?
The description of his new DAC contraption reminded me of a scene from The Naked Gun 2 where Nordberg starts assembling a small pistol:From Facebook:
2023 will see the release of the Canvas DacX system
The Canvas mainframe has 7 module slots + 1 DAC expansion "Card" slot:-
The Canvas's 7 module slots are:-
x1 CPU / Streamer module (Option)
x5 UMS - Universal Module Slot's
x1 Modulator / Digital filter module
One UMS module is 36mm Wide, 200mm Deep & 70mm High. The Canvas UMS system is designed to handle x1 (36mm), x2 (73mm), x3 (110mm), x4 (184mm) and even x5 (221mm) wide UMS modules.
All currently planned UMS modules are UMS.1 Modules (x1 36mm wide modules) – with only the planned ADC+ Phonostage module being a (x2 wide) UMS.2 module (73mm wide) - this allows isolation of the Digital ADC section and High Gain Analogue Phono stage within the module. However the Canvas Mainframe is design to allow an upto 221mm wide UMS module if ever required (you could even incorporate the CPU and Digital modulator modules giving you an x7 258mm wide UMS.7 module).
Being a fullwidth, CNC'ed chassis with a very complex and complete front panel, UMS Expansion Bus, Clock and PSU sections, the BASIC Canvas Mainframe (sans GPS / sans Atomic clock options) is going to be expensive – I'll be happy if the HEAVILY supported “At Cost” price to the original project development sponsors – the Canvas mainframe can be sold for GBP1500 (without UMS / DAC modules).
The UMS modules will be cheaper to development sponsors at say GBP250 to GBP350 for the cheaper variants – with the High end DAC “Card” depending on variant – the Transformer versions being the most expensive – the transformers alone are about GBP300 a pair...
The reason behind my long post is that the Canvas DacX system will be more expensive then the originally planned “simple MDAC upgrade” – which comes at hard times, so a planned version is to allow x1 or x2 UMS.1 modules to be installed within the the MDAC chassis (with new front and rear panel) – this will allow a much costed down DAC – considerably feature limited compared to the Canvas DacX system - but allows access to some of the DacX Tech.
The MDAC UMS approuch allows a more affordable DAC, and when funds allow, the UMS modules can then be later transfered into the Canvas DacX system – an upgrade path reusing the already purchased UMS modules.
There will be a Dual ESS 9028Pro UMS.1 DAC module with discrete Class A Output Stage etc. This offers everything the original MDAC upgrade promised (with HiRes / Native DSD etc)...
The Canvas DacX system with its UMS modules will be released first, then VFET Amps, then the MDAC2 UMS System.
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Because it uses ESS 9028Pro does not mean it is the same as the Pro-Ject DAC. Guess you already knew that
To me it sounds like the ESS module is part of an upgrade path. You can use it in the now ancient M-DAC (initial scope) and then reuse it if you upgrade to the full with chassis without the need to purchase the relative expensive discreate DAC module right away.
Agree the numbers sound optimistic. Probably need to be UK inflation adjusted.
Actually it is pointless speculating on the price, spec or delivery time. It is a wait and see situation. Will John meet his deadline for Munich and have something to show or not? An ETA for the delivery? I sincerely hope so. At least I am going to Munich (already booked)
sonddek
Trade: SUPATRAC
Is that you John?
misterdog
Not the canine kind
£ 300
ESS 9028Pro based DAC.
including delivery, taxes and Paypal fees. Around 10 days delivery.
https://hifigo.com/products/topping-e70?variant=43527230849263
Half the price of the original Mdac and twice the sound quality.
The designer is also called John, but doesn't spend his time talking about what he might make next, he is too busy making it.
There is some healthy competition in China with Topping, SMSL, Gustard and others, such that prices are actually falling.
In terms of measured performance, they have reached the limit of what is measurable.
Craig B
Re:trophile
I think it is about to spell out 'canvas'.
Timcat
pfm Member
I have concluded and posted in the past that all JW is doing is periodically posting reports of alleged abandonments of all the work done to date and commencements of work on completely new designs, whilst doing absolutely nothing at all to advance the MDAC2 and VFET projects. It's a grift, plain and simple.
Del monaco
Del Monaco
If it has been John Lewis many would have had their money back years ago.