It is that we live all over the world, otherwise we could do a dac listen day.
In the Netherlands we do that 4 a 5 times a year. We listen then in several rooms to DIY and commercial loudspeakers, amps, dacs, record players etc.. Mostly to compare them. Discus the differences and share experiences. Always very nice meetings.
In the Netherlands we do that 4 a 5 times a year. We listen then in several rooms to DIY and commercial loudspeakers, amps, dacs, record players etc.. Mostly to compare them. Discus the differences and share experiences. Always very nice meetings.
yeah, Internet is useless w/o listening.... alas. So we try to share datas, but it is saying few in relation to a true listening.
It is also not really important and sometimes focus goes too much to just one or only a few parameters. IMHO the content is more worth spending time on.
Recently I read a book about the scientific best ways of making coffee. Literally every detail from water to machine was examined and "optimized". After that I was very glad I can enjoy a self made cup with ready ground coffee without too much thinking.
Recently I read a book about the scientific best ways of making coffee. Literally every detail from water to machine was examined and "optimized". After that I was very glad I can enjoy a self made cup with ready ground coffee without too much thinking.
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i personally happy to have my test DAC.
Sabaj A10d old version (black) with AK4497 🙂
chris
Sabaj A10d old version (black) with AK4497 🙂
chris
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005008159166590.html
or this : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005003976111853.html
I wonder what is the NOS 6 or 8 chip modules and how it works.
or this : https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005003976111853.html
I wonder what is the NOS 6 or 8 chip modules and how it works.
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Only one parameter from a long time as far I am concerned I have been focusing on : pleasure to listen to and the less questions I wonder on a machine the higher rating I give to it. Single Individual Nobrainer Advised Device !
Check your system:
Orff: Carmina Burana (Cantiones profanae) Anima Eterna • Collegium Vocale Gent • Jos Van Immerseel Released by Zig-Zag Territoires
By far the best recording of it! I find it basically flawless especially in regard to other recordings.
Orff: Carmina Burana (Cantiones profanae) Anima Eterna • Collegium Vocale Gent • Jos Van Immerseel Released by Zig-Zag Territoires
By far the best recording of it! I find it basically flawless especially in regard to other recordings.
SMSL D6S is basically the successor of the DL200 which I got.
Identical output stage as far as I can see.
The ES9039Q2M can fly if it wasn't for the datasheet opamp output stage that is used by almost every Brand out there. Until someone has heard what a well made discreet output stage can achieve he may think his device sounds good. Actually most of the these DACs sound well balanced and clean but dynamics, clarity and spacial presentation are lacking.
If one can hold a soldering iron there is no reason to live with a crippled device.
Crippled isn’t that a bit exxagerated? About every device seems to need intervention.
God forbid that the Chinese brands produce a DAC that is perfect 🙂
God forbid that the Chinese brands produce a DAC that is perfect 🙂
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I heard it with a discrete stage, same disappointment, a nice polished sound with sparkling detail, no main drive, just bleh.
Could it be that the media sound nice and polished with sparkling detail on a great many DACs and you just want a certain/different sound character?
The old Allo Katana dac had a Sparkos output stage board. The dac chip was ES9038Q2M. Apparently, Allo licensed the Sparkos design and put in on their own output stage board, or something more or less like that. It didn't really sound all that much better than using OPA1612. The sound was helped more by running ES9038Q2M in synchronous mode and sending it only DSD256. That made it the least crippled of all, if crippled is the right word for it.
Discrete stages vary in quality or let's say usability for a given purpose.
The Sparkos SS2590 was always a marked improvement over any opamp no matter the DAC I put it on.
But I have given up on the current ES and AKM chips since I found that Chinese R2R DAC that mates so well with the discrete part of the Accuphase c3850 clone board as the output stage.
In that case that discrete opamps/circuits will also likely be better in other applications than just DACs like line stages. Maybe they add something the listener likes.
That would be a nice experiment: using such a circuit after volume control with other (analog) sources like for instance an FM tuner and listen what it adds or changes. If it adds or changes the sound character also in an analog chain it does not matter much anymore which DAC is used. It does not matter after which DAC they are used you say and they are always an improvement over any opamps as used by the manufacturer. The DACs are then possibly not an issue at all. Suppose that it is like that, makes one wonder what is relevant to have a good audio experience. Not by taking away the famous veil but maybe by adding a beautiful colored fashionable one 🙂
Challenge!
That would be a nice experiment: using such a circuit after volume control with other (analog) sources like for instance an FM tuner and listen what it adds or changes. If it adds or changes the sound character also in an analog chain it does not matter much anymore which DAC is used. It does not matter after which DAC they are used you say and they are always an improvement over any opamps as used by the manufacturer. The DACs are then possibly not an issue at all. Suppose that it is like that, makes one wonder what is relevant to have a good audio experience. Not by taking away the famous veil but maybe by adding a beautiful colored fashionable one 🙂
Challenge!
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