If you are open to diy and interested in a multibit NOS dac the Decca dac is very nice, with a nice linear psu it is very competive. Depending on your taste it can challenge some well executes SD dacs. I have both and really enjoy the Decca.
Since someone mentioned the Art of Zen I/V, would I be correct in buying these from the Shop to build one for myself?:Toshiba 2SK170/2SJ74 Quad Idss 8-11mA - $45
Cheers,
David
Cheers,
David
Has anybody compared the Chord Hugo to the Chord DAC64? I have heard neither but am presently using a Tube Technology Fusion CD64 Player that uses the same DAC processor as the DAC 64 though the TT has a valve output stage. It puts TDA1541A players to shame in my view. (I have Cambridge Audio CD3 (upgraded) and Micro Seiki M100 (standard)).
I recommend Denafrips as well. Great with SPDIF and AES/EBU inputs, but I am not particuraly keen on its USB interface.
If you like an incisive sound with good imaging go for the TT2 (earlier TT is also super, just a smidge less resolving) - I tried the Holo May and couldn’t fully get along with it as the imaging was diffuse (R2R trait?) - I prefer OS DACs.
Also consider EC Designs Fractal DAC or newer Power DAC. Would work well with tubes or a warmish sounding Pass labs amp. It’s very very good.
I couldn’t get on with Topping D90. I presently use TT2, best I’ve ever heard was Mola Mola Tambaqui.
Also consider EC Designs Fractal DAC or newer Power DAC. Would work well with tubes or a warmish sounding Pass labs amp. It’s very very good.
I couldn’t get on with Topping D90. I presently use TT2, best I’ve ever heard was Mola Mola Tambaqui.
The Khadas Tone Board 1 (KTB1) uses ESS9038 and is one of the best sounding DACs in my collection. It’s priced very well too at under $100. There is a KTB2 that has a mini chassis, volume/selector knob and balanced / headphone outputs. It’s supposed to sound even better but I have not personally heard it. I can highly recommend the KTB1 though. Superbly quiet even with USB as PSU. There are at least 7 on board DCDC power supplies so it has very powerful drive capabilities and can play louder than most little USB DACs out there.
Noise floor below -130dB, SINAD of 110dB. Harmonic profile is also second order dominant with descending higher orders. What’s not to like?
Review and Measurements of WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Noise floor below -130dB, SINAD of 110dB. Harmonic profile is also second order dominant with descending higher orders. What’s not to like?
Review and Measurements of WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
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I have used or currently use DIY Soekris dam 1941, Schiit Yggdrasil, Denefrips Ares II, Chord Cutest, and Holo Audio May KTE, and an assortment of delta sigma dacs. The greatest "bang for your buck" dac was the Soekris. This is a great sounding dac that you can customize as you see fit. However, mine developed an issue where after a few minuts of listening the signal lock would drop and the music would turn to static or no sound. There was no support from Soekris at all. Best sounding is definitely the May, the Cutest is my second choice for overall sound, Yggy and Ares are decent also. I heave yet to hear a delta sigma dac that blows me away.
To those that believe dacs dont make much difference, ignorace is bliss. At least your bank account is healthier for it.
To those that believe dacs dont make much difference, ignorace is bliss. At least your bank account is healthier for it.
They will believe it if evidence is presented. When I say evidence, I don't mean subjective listening impressions.
I'm using a Topping E30 DAC for my main system, and a Raspberry Pi running Volumio feeding it. Audirvana on my Macs and Qobuz as my source, all connected over the wifi. Could I get different sound (not necessarily better) using cables, maybe. Would a better streamer give me better sound? Maybe not.
There are a gazillion options out there these days, and some of them are dirt cheap and still sound better than the good stuff I heard 20 years ago. Start cheap and then go from there. No reason to spend money if you get blown away by some of these tiny devices. I've got the itch to try a more expensive DAC than my E30 but money is always the stopper.
There are a gazillion options out there these days, and some of them are dirt cheap and still sound better than the good stuff I heard 20 years ago. Start cheap and then go from there. No reason to spend money if you get blown away by some of these tiny devices. I've got the itch to try a more expensive DAC than my E30 but money is always the stopper.
I’m gratified to draw so many responses and I’m convinced continuing to diy is the most appropriate approach. I will build the Korg B1 preamp and continue to learn. At some point I may also build a dac. Thank you, everyone for offering your thoughts and experience
The problem with that is, very few people have the resources to know what "data" sounds like. I also think the audio industry puts too much emphasis on certain criteria like THD+N. For example 0.0003% THD+N does not sound very good to me.
When you do listening comparison of DAC-A vs DAC-B, what data do you need to see?
Have you listened to it, X? ASR seems to base everything ONLY on measurements... I have a DAC that is really obsolete, but I loved it over a lot of "modern" ones I tried. I prefer well-accustomed ears' advice to a sterile dyalisis
I have it and it’s currently my best sounding DAC and my daily user DAC. Sounds absolutely phenomenal. In two words: clear, quiet. I can hear very low level detail and nuances in tone that I miss with other DACs.
I don’t have the fancy NOS ADxxxx DACs from days of yore. I hear that they sound great too but may not measure well. I am also a believer in not all things that don’t measure well sound bad. It is all about the harmonic profile and not just the absolute THD number. But I cannot stand noisy DACs or noisy amps.
I don’t have the fancy NOS ADxxxx DACs from days of yore. I hear that they sound great too but may not measure well. I am also a believer in not all things that don’t measure well sound bad. It is all about the harmonic profile and not just the absolute THD number. But I cannot stand noisy DACs or noisy amps.