In light of the current situation I can propose some steps that can be taken "today""-
1. a couple s weeks ago I met with a vendor on China who would manufacture the Detox Chassis so in theory Detox can now be manufactured, HOWEVER Detox is now a rather outdated design:-
Detox,
Detox was designed to be used specially with MDAC (original MDAC with USB1.1) the Detoxed Isolated USB only supports USB1.1 which does not support HighRes Audio / DSD etc (no XMOS devices etc). Detox does feature a Detoxed USB2.0 output but its not isolated.
The pending MDAC 1.5 / 20 / FDAC have the Detox feature built into the unit with more advanced features such as isolated HiRes USB support and remote control of settings and more advanced Detox’ing (not only is the USB Detoxed, but also the fully digital system).
So while it is possible to manufacture Detox – its really better to fold the design in to the pending DAC’s to ease time resources – but I happy to follow sponsor suggestions
DEVDAC II is on the lab bench now and is so far looking good.
DEVDAC II:-
Discrete FPGA based Balanced DAC Array
Dual frequency Discrete Clock (no ASRC with USB input)
Galvanically Isolated USB / digital domain.
Native DSD support to 512 (MIGHT be possible to extend to 1024)
Balanced Analogue domain attenuation (no digital manipulation of Data) – pure path DSD (DAC / PreAmp mode)
USB, SPDIF and Optical input.
Balanced and signal ended audio outputs
SE and balanced headphone outputs
Colour LCD display for UI
Supports PCM to 768KHz 32Bits, DSD64, 128, 256, 512 (Might be possible to extend to 1024) and MQA (subject to MQA blessing).
A chassis has current not been design for the DEVDAC2, but the vendor I recently met in Asia would be able to manufacture a Detox style solid chassis.
Its feasible if all the stars align to start shipping this design by say Christmas – if this where to become a DAC then I’d like to expand the DAC array to increase audio performance, but this is something we already have on the lab bench.
This DEVDAC design is a very decent design (Discrete FPGA based DAC) – its not the full MDAC2, but its advantages are it meets the original GBP300 – GBP350 budget, comes with its own CNC case (no need to donor MDAC) and the design is essentially ready and can be turned into a shipped product within 2-3 months – early units can be shipped to help debug software and hep gain trust.
Its can be offered as a stop gap design for those who still want the full blown MDAC2 / FDAC, they can still take up there production option when development is completed… or just stay with the DevDAC.
The DevDAC technology meets the original design goals of the project – an far upgraded MDAC design, although it will come its own chassis.
The ADC / Phono Stage / DSP will still be offered as options on the FDAC.
If DevDAC II proceeding to production is not a preferred option, then MDAC1.5 which is a development of DevDAC but re-housed into the MDAC chassis is the next possible project but many original sponsors have requested custom chassis as they no longer own original MDAC chassis. The MDAC1.5 would also share digital filter cards with MDAC2 / FDAC – otherwise it’s essentially the DevDAC – the DevDAC design is now on the bench and can be delivered sooner
The MDAC1.5 will still be put into production irrespective of DevDAC, however it’s a question of longer timelines, and depending on the response to DevDAC maybe AFTER MDAC2 / FDAC.
My strongest recommendation to those who want to see a DAC ASAP is the DevDAC, its beyond the performance of the original project, but has its own solid CNC chassis and is realistically possible to start manufacture of PCB’s this side of Christmas (unknown is CNC chassis / production shipping times (chassis has not been design yet, but it would be a taller version of the Detox (taller due to the height of the XLR’s)) – I believe complete units can be shipped this side of Christmas)
For those holding onto MDAC / donor units, then the MDAC1.5 would follow DevDAC…. then MDAC2/FDAC.
Please consider the options, also that if DevDAC is purchased at cost it does NOT effect your “at cost” MDAC 1.5 ./ MDAC2 FDAC production option – it’s purpose is to deliver a DAC in a short timescale that outperformance the original project goals… and reinstall confidence in the project.
The DevDACII is based on the Core Discrete DAC technology, the MDAC1.5 / MDAC2 / FDAC designs add extras (advanced clocking, Detox, Streamer, ADC, DSP etc) - but the core discrete DAC technology is common for DevDAC to FDAC....
Think of the DevDAC as a Pure DAC, simple but not lacking.
MQA would be enabled via a software update pending approval - it is subject to MQA approval and thus its final incorporation cannot be 100% guaranteed by me... but we have worked with MQA in the past so have a high confidence level...