The ESS Controller by Ian Canada is the accessory of choice to easily control your DIY installations based on DACs ESS SABRE ES9038Q2M and ES9028Q2M and ES9018K2M.

This small, well-built, lightweight module connects directly to your DAC ESS SABRE control interface to retrieve and edit its parameters. The module works with a STM32 ARM Cortex processor configured to access the parameters strictly dedicated to audio playback without affecting the essential configuration for the proper functioning of the circuit.

An OLED display provides a many of information concerning the operation of DAC (registry configuration, volume level). The module can be driven via an encoder on the front panel or with an infra-red remote control.

Thus, with the ESSC, users (even beginners) can first verify in real time that everything is in order, that the right sample rate is processed and that the bitrate corresponds to what is expected of the digital stream.

PCB features a slot for a digital encoder. The arrangement of the connectors are made so that said encoder directly controls the DAC chip native functions  - starting with the volume setting - of SABRE chips. This module finds much usefulness in development / repair (confirm DAC integration) as well as in production with its screen and its encoder already available.

Remote Integration or GPIO

Caution: remote integration ESSC requires the expansion kit.

Pure Do It Yourself product, the ESSC is easily integrated / mounted on a SBC with GPIO: it has indeed on its underside a series of bare chips on which it is possible to install a GPIO connector. In this sense, it is a hyper-complete solution for the integration of a SABRE DAC in a Raspberry Pi environment.

A second set of pads located at the end of the PCB provides a conventional I2C connection that will be very useful for connecting the module via a web. The second connector allows the screen mainly to deport torque / encoder in order to match the specifications of your case.

For even more flexibility, the PCB is scored. It is therefore possible to make the part encoder / volume independent of the logic portion / screen. Still more possibilities and comfort for a successful integration in housing.

I / R receiver

The module is equipped with an infrared receiver to control easily all the parameters of your DAC chip remotely.

Use via Web-API is also possible. Note that this last option does not allow native access to all available options. Using a Web API is not intended for development but for standard use. Also, it is not possible to edit all registry keys via this driver.

Options

Here is a complete list of functions covered by DACs ESS that ESSC controller can configure:

- Bandwidth Configuration DPLL PCM / SPDIF
- Bandwidth Configuration DPLL on DSD
- Configuration infinite impulse response (for 9028 and 9018)
- Configure filter finite impulse response (for 9028 and 9018)
- Configuration Filters ES9038Q2M (exclusive to this model)
- MCLK SYNC mode (ASRC / true SYNC with FifoPi & jumper)
- Bypass OSF
- Bypass Filters
- Monitoring DPLL ratio (ideal for real-time assessment of the performance of a clock)
- Return to factory settings (reset of the DAC chip)

The ESSC can be used as a standalone digital signal analyser. Just mount it on a DAC-less Raspberri Pi GPIO and hold the button for more than 3 seconds.