ess

name	ess
description	ESS Technology MPN encoding patterns, high-end audio DAC decoding, and handler guidance. Use when working with ESS Sabre DACs or ESSHandler.

ESS Technology Manufacturer Skill

MPN Structure

ESS Technology specializes in high-performance audio DACs (Sabre series).

ES[SERIES][VARIANT]-[PACKAGE]-[PINCOUNT]
   |   |      |        |         |
   |   |      |        |         +-- Pin count (optional)
   |   |      |        +-- Package code (QFN, TQFP, etc.)
   |   |      +-- Variant (PRO, Q2M, K2M, P, S)
   |   +-- Series (9038, 9028, 9018, 92xx)
   +-- ES = ESS Technology prefix

Example Decoding

ES9038PRO
|  |   |
|  |   +-- PRO = 8-channel flagship variant
|  +-- 9038 = Flagship Sabre series
+-- ES = ESS Technology

ES9218P-QFNR-48
|  |  | |    |
|  |  | |    +-- 48 = 48-pin
|  |  | +-- QFNR = QFN package, Tape and Reel
|  |  +-- P = Portable variant with headphone amp
|  +-- 9218 = Portable DAC series
+-- ES = ESS Technology

---

Product Families

ES9038 Series - Flagship Sabre DACs

The ultimate performance audio DACs.

Part	Channels	Features
ES9038PRO	8	Flagship, -140dB THD+N
ES9038Q2M	2	Mobile/portable optimized

ES9028 Series - High-End Sabre DACs

Part	Channels	Features
ES9028PRO	8	High performance
ES9028Q2M	2	Mobile version

ES9018 Series - Classic Sabre DACs

Part	Channels	Features
ES9018S	8	Reference stereo
ES9018K2M	2	Mobile 2-channel

ES901x/902x Series - Mid-Range DACs

Part	Description
ES9010	Entry-level DAC
ES9016	Mid-range DAC
ES9023	Popular 24-bit DAC

ES92xx Series - Portable DACs with Headphone Amps

Integrated DAC + headphone amplifier for mobile devices.

Part	Features
ES9218P	Portable HiFi, headphone amp
ES9219	Latest portable DAC/amp
ES9219C	ES9219 variant
ES9281	USB DAC

---

Variant Suffixes

Suffix	Meaning
PRO	Professional 8-channel flagship
Q2M	2-channel mobile/battery optimized
K2M	2-channel compact variant
S	Stereo version
P	Portable with headphone amp
C	Grade/revision variant

---

Package Codes

Code	Package	Notes
QFN	QFN	Most common for audio DACs
QFNR	QFN, Tape & Reel	QFN with packaging
TQFP	TQFP	Larger pin count parts
WLCSP	WLCSP	Compact mobile parts
LQFP	LQFP	Low-profile quad flat

---

Handler Implementation Notes

Series Extraction

// Extract ES + 4 digits for the series
// ES9038PRO -> ES9038
// ES9218P -> ES9218

if (upperMpn.length() >= 6) {
    String digits = upperMpn.substring(2, 6);
    if (digits.chars().allMatch(Character::isDigit)) {
        return "ES" + digits;
    }
}

Package Code Extraction

// Check for hyphenated suffix with package info
// ES9218P-QFNR-48 -> QFN

// Check for embedded package code without hyphen
// ESxxxxQFN -> QFN

Base Part Number Extraction

// Remove package suffixes to get base part
// ES9038PRO-QFN -> ES9038PRO
// ES9218P-QFNR-48 -> ES9218P

// Remove trailing package codes
result = upper
    .replaceAll("QFN.*$", "")
    .replaceAll("TQFP.*$", "")
    .replaceAll("WLCSP.*$", "")
    .replaceAll("LQFP.*$", "");

---

Replacement Rules

Same Part, Different Package

Parts with the same base number but different packages are replacements:

• ES9038PRO-QFN = ES9038PRO-TQFP (same part, different package)
• ES9218P = ES9218P-QFNR-48 (same part with package suffix)

NOT Replacements (Different Channel Count)

Parts in the same series with different channel counts are NOT direct replacements:

• ES9038PRO (8-channel) != ES9038Q2M (2-channel)
• ES9028PRO (8-channel) != ES9028Q2M (2-channel)

---

Related Files

• Handler: manufacturers/ESSHandler.java
• Component types: ComponentType.IC

---

Common MPNs

MPN	Description	Application
ES9038PRO	8-ch flagship DAC	High-end audio
ES9038Q2M	2-ch mobile DAC	Portable HiFi
ES9028PRO	8-ch high-end	Audio equipment
ES9018K2M	2-ch classic	DAPs, headphone amps
ES9218P	Portable DAC/amp	Smartphones
ES9219	Latest portable	USB-C audio
ES9023	Entry 24-bit	DIY audio

---

Audio Specifications

ES9038PRO Performance

Spec	Value
THD+N	-140 dB
DNR	140 dB
Channels	8
Resolution	32-bit
Sample Rate	Up to 768 kHz

ES9218P Performance

Spec	Value
THD+N	-118 dB
SNR	129 dB
Output	2 Vrms
Features	HiFi DAC + headphone amp

---

Applications

• High-end audio equipment
• Digital Audio Players (DAPs)
• Headphone amplifiers
• USB DACs
• Smartphone HiFi
• Professional audio systems
• Home theater preamps
• Audiophile equipment

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Learnings & Edge Cases

• PRO vs Q2M naming: PRO = 8-channel professional, Q2M = 2-channel mobile - NOT interchangeable.
• Channel count determines compatibility: 8-channel and 2-channel parts are functionally different.
• ES92xx includes headphone amp: These are integrated DAC + amp solutions, not standalone DACs.
• Package rarely changes function: Same base part in different packages are true replacements.
• ESS Sabre branding: All modern ESS DACs use "Sabre" technology branding.
• K2M vs Q2M: Both are 2-channel, but K2M is earlier generation, Q2M is optimized for mobile.
• High-end audio market: ESS dominates portable HiFi - found in most premium DAPs and USB DACs.