#4B. ES9038Q2M Dual Mono II DAC HAT

Introduction
ES9038Q2M Dual Mono II is the third-generation audiophile grade core ESS DAC board. Based on the latest ESS SABRE32 reference DAC technologies, it can provide the highest possible sound quality and performance for audiophile DIYers at reasonable cost. User can run this DAC at either default ASRC mode or the advanced SYNC clock mode when works with a FifoPi.

Highlighted Features and Specifications

• 32bit SABRE32 DAC true dual mono architecture
• Supports up to 768KHz 16/24/32bit PCM, native DSD1024, and DSD256 via DoP and S/PDIF
• SYNC and ASRC dual clock mode
• External synchronous clock range from 22.5792MHz to 98.3040MHz. Or 100MHz internal asynchronous clock.
• Control and register settings by external ESS controller or MonitorPi Pro
• Controller operates in isolated mode when used with FifoPi to eliminate ground loop and EMI noise
• Raw balanced current output enables use of a variety of external output stages such as the Transformer I/V, the standard OPA I/V or the OPA861 zero feedback balanced I/V
• Dual mono configuration can provide 389 Ohm ultra-low output impedance to get much higher dynamic output current than the normal single chip configuration
• Direct 3.3V power inputs ready for ultracapacitor power supply or LifePO4 battery power supply
• Independent lock LED indicators for both left and right DAC chips
• Can automatically switch between PCM, DSD, DoP and S/PDIF
• XO socket design makes it possible to swap/upgrade to better local clock
• Very easy to switch to SYNC modem by just removing local XO from the socket and plugging an U.FL MCLK cable
• DIY friendly with many modification and upgrading opportunities

Note: This DAC needs a MonitorPiPro (recommended) or ESS controller to drive. It doesn't work without a controller because there is no suitable Linux driver so far.

User's manual

Documents

https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload/tree/master/RPiDacHAT/ES9038Q2MDualMonoDacHAT