In case it helps someone else in a purchasing decision I have enclosed measurements of a low cost ES9028Q2M board that uses the AD823.
The distortion is pretty much at the limit of my SB0490 to measure. It is still worth measuring because it could help detect a major layout or power supply issue. (And perhaps help detect a fake op amp.)
I do see a strong roll off at 20 kHz.
I use it with my project amplifiers with the volume potentiometer at maximum and using software control of volume. I think that sounds better than setting the DAC at maximum/full scale and then controlling the amplifier with the potentiometer.
Next I am going to try to measure my other two USB DACs (both CS4398). Right now I think this ES9028Q2M is the best sounding but I was surprised at the roll off at 20 kHz.
The distortion is pretty much at the limit of my SB0490 to measure. It is still worth measuring because it could help detect a major layout or power supply issue. (And perhaps help detect a fake op amp.)
I do see a strong roll off at 20 kHz.
I use it with my project amplifiers with the volume potentiometer at maximum and using software control of volume. I think that sounds better than setting the DAC at maximum/full scale and then controlling the amplifier with the potentiometer.
Next I am going to try to measure my other two USB DACs (both CS4398). Right now I think this ES9028Q2M is the best sounding but I was surprised at the roll off at 20 kHz.
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