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AK4490 USB Dac with dsd support.

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#723
The 4490 dac arrived just in time for x-mas and has been running 24 hrs a day since then. The only change I made was switching to a psu with TPS7A4700 regulators from mravcla, also in the vendors forum, a couple of days ago. Again, the dac has been running on this supply ever since. Today I connected my TPA Buffalo 3SE again to my pre amp to compare the two. B3SE via spdif, 4490 via USB. Much to my suprise there is very little difference. 4490 has a bit more detail, B3SE sounds a bit warmer. 4490's soundstage is about the same as the B3SE. Overall the difference is a lot smaller then I expected. Sonny's 4490 dac proves to be very good!

For those with the Mirand pre amp, I would like to hear their impressions using different filters with the 4490 dac...
 
#724
ijscobar said:
The 4490 dac arrived just in time for x-mas and has been running 24 hrs a day since then. The only change I made was switching to a psu with TPS7A4700 regulators from mravcla, also in the vendors forum, a couple of days ago. Again, the dac has been running on this supply ever since. Today I connected my TPA Buffalo 3SE again to my pre amp to compare the two. B3SE via spdif, 4490 via USB. Much to my suprise there is very little difference. 4490 has a bit more detail, B3SE sounds a bit warmer. 4490's soundstage is about the same as the B3SE. Overall the difference is a lot smaller then I expected. Sonny's 4490 dac proves to be very good!

For those with the Mirand pre amp, I would like to hear their impressions using different filters with the 4490 dac...
Click to expand...

Hi ijscobar,

Do you have the discrete output stage installed? To me there's a huge difference between the two DACs. But then again it depends which output stage, filters, etc..., you're using to compare. One is set SPDIF and one set USB won't also be the same.

I've actually just finally completed the preamplifier part of the build and been doing some burn in for the last 3 days so I will be able to test all this shortly.

Ciao!
Do
 
#725
Hi Do,
I compared spdif to usb on de B3SE and found they sound the about the same.
I'm using the discrete output.🙂 Guess I will sell the B3SE and also go for Sonny's pre amp. Is it easy to use? Is it obvious what the buttons do? Haven't seen a manual yet I'm afraid...

Jan
 
#727
ijscobar said:
Hi Do,
I compared spdif to usb on de B3SE and found they sound the about the same.
I'm using the discrete output.🙂 Guess I will sell the B3SE and also go for Sonny's pre amp. Is it easy to use? Is it obvious what the buttons do? Haven't seen a manual yet I'm afraid...

Jan
Click to expand...

If you're using the Apple remote it is quite easy to use, even the front panel buttons are quite easy. You can label your inputs with predefined names that you chose in a list and the input number can also be changed to match your back panel. Filter, balance can be set. I believe Sonny is also working on other options such as bit depth display and phase inversion, etc...

I really like that it now displays the sampling frequency, it is cosmetic but I find it useful. Sonny does have a manual for it with all inputs labeled with pinout reference.

I can also help you out if needed.

Ciao!
Do
 
#731
Thanks everyone for the help, and thanks to Sonny for the nice DAC. Mine has been up and running for a week or so, without any hiccups (which is a first). Not much to look at, but here's a picture (or it didn't happen, right?). Could've made it a bit smaller, but I'd rather have too much rather than too little room for wiring.

Regards,
John
 

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#735
sonnya said:
Michael Godskesen has one of them standing also Rene from Vassago hifi.

But the discrete outputstage is an huge improvement over chip based op-amp output stage.

And the ones Michael and Rene has standing is chip based op-amp.

Brian from Kado Sound has compared it to an Audio Aero Prestige Signature and the DAC is an improvement over the Audio Aero.

If you look at the output stage of the Audio Aero it is silly how much you pay for this player and what you get!
Click to expand...

I have the DAC also 🙂 And I'm looking forward to the Phono Stage 😉
 
#739
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