12 replies to this topic

[yonyz]

Hi everyone,

Not too long ago ESI has released a PCIe version of their ESI Juli@ card, named ESI Juli@ XTE.
It has an OS X driver that works on modern Macs, and I've installed it on my Mountain Lion GM hackintosh, which actually has the old, PCI version ESI Juli@ card and it works perfect. It even has a control panel like on Windows.

So whether you have the ESI Juli@ or the ESI Juli@ XTE, the driver works.

Enjoy.

[kadak]

Thanks for the info .
I can't test right now, DirectWire panel is working or not? External clock source? Digital input with all modes (24Bit 176kHz or 24Bit 192kHz etc.)?

[yonyz]

No idea to all three questions.
Not running a hackintosh these days, but am definitely missing the accessibility.

[kadak]

Ok.
After week or two i can test out, i have two somewhat moddified PCI versions.

[yonyz]

You have physically modified your sound card? How?

[kadak]

First, I changed all input and output caps to Elna Silmic II type (from not so good sonically Tantalum caps), second: added appropriate capacitance to digital and analog power stages.
Compared AD to Weiss ADC2 and DA side to Weiss DAC202U, difference is there but only measured in FFT analyzer, by hearing I can't tell the difference.
Jitter level is below -130dB by FFT, similar to Bryston BDA-1 (uses the digital board from Juli@).
If sample rate changing works with official driver, I build new digital connectors (BNC) to secondary bracket, because that original breakout cable is not good, and I don't need the MIDI.

For modding, I followed Marcello's instructions from http://forum.rightma....cgi?id=4:504-5

[yonyz]

Nice. I wouldn't do that to a $150 card, but I don't even see a point in doing it.
Anyway, good job if it works and all.

[kadak]

I don't see a point of buying Bryston BDA-1 or Auraliti PK100, if I can build things myself and comparable (if not better) quality - and running Mac OS on it instead sort of limited linux....

[yonyz]

So you replaced the DAC? That's awesome
Is it possible to add an headphone out?

[kadak]

I not replaced the DAC in Juli@... yes, I have some ideas to redirect I2S signal to external WM8741 DAC (to avoid jitter), but it's more sensible if we using for that Juli@'s digital out - like Bryston did. Bryston don't contain any DAC inside, only Auraliti uses Juli@ card fully.
In hardware Juli@ uses the DAC for digital commutation driven by DirectWire app - this leads to conclusion: it monitors digital I/O with an absolute zero delay... and we need the DAC for that!
http://www.ixbt.com/.../scheme-big.png

Headphone out is technically easy task, some says Juli@ can driven headphones relativelly well. I prefered dedicated amplifier section for that, build or buyed separately. Even then we need pay attention to power supply for amplification, PC power is not so clean as needed if used directly for analog amplification.

  This is far far away from topic for now, I think ...

[kadak]

Jap, it's works... partially. With SL10.6.8 (clean Retail), all output modes, formats works. Frequency change, initiated by CoreAudio, is working. For playback from computer with internal clock, all is OK. Only thing, analog and digital out can't work in same time, we need to change output from Audio/MIDI Setup panel.
Inputs are dead. Audition, Audacity and AudioRecorder3.2 don't see ANY incoming signal. SPDIF In is working somehow, with distorted and low level signal. If some CoreAudio device is active, level improves (not fully) and distortion is cone. External clock via SPDIF In not work, Control Panel not show any frequency changes if external clock is changed...

If someone wants to record, the audiodriverwriter driver is the only way (at the moment). Analog inputs are useable, with 44,1kHz or 88,2kHz 24Bit .

Maybe PCIe version behavior is different. ESI first new driver says: minimum OS 10.5.8, PCI and PCIe versions are supported. Later driver only installs stuff and not provided any info.
Sad story in overall.

Maybe later I try out with Lion 10.7.5 and ML, but I am not very optimistic.

[yonyz]

Well at least playback and some recording is possible.

[kadak]

No, recording is not possible at all with original driver. We can only hear the "SPDIF In" signal, but signal is routed digitally in wrong way, no one of recording apps don't "hear" anything from inputs (Juli@ is listed as input device!).

For recording, only Envy24HT Installer is suitable (yeah it's limited for frequency formats, but the two formats are possible in high quality after all).
Btw. if Amarra player is installed, I got normally even 192kHz playable (weird, Amarra is messing something with CoreAudio), I not tested recording possibility of that frequency yet.

OT: Sorry, I never learned english in any way, so it may be not so understandable if I wrote something .