Ah so then in theory you can feed in a sinewave that's been passed through a valve preamp and have the DAC emulate that preamp's 'harmonic signature'. I can see potential appeal for a group of audiophiles yeah who believe that 'harmonic signatures' are determinants of SQ.
yep but with some limitation of course. Full-scale positive compensation of 9038q2m produces .25-.35% of 2nd harmonic i.e. 1-2% is not possible.
In what terms do you prefer AKM449x vs ESS90xx ?.
Is music genre/type important in this choice ?.
Dan.
In terms of sound quality.
For me - not, except very bad record quality, where ESS/AKM are not better even then PCM5102 or TDA1540/43, or laptop internal sound card.
But, for me...
altor, I dunno about others but AK4490 has near to zero out-band noise, I simply can't see anything there with the oscilloscope. Regarding 9038q2m, I see some HF noise 10-20MHz + few clear tones 50, 75 and 100MHz. AK44990 easy to get THD around .0003%, and as you can see people proud of similar THD with 9038q2m, which is 3x times expensive. However, 9038q2m is more sexy indeed.
And finally, my proto works fine, even better than expected. The worst resolution is -125-128db for 2nd harmonics, 3rd and more -130-135db.
YouTube
Here is some discussion:
The craziest DAC ever #9038AP with distortions analyzer onboard. | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
YouTube
Here is some discussion:
The craziest DAC ever #9038AP with distortions analyzer onboard. | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Hi IVX,
May be a crazy dac and a 1kHz distortion analyzer, but how does it sound is always my question for you.
Also, we wonder what ever happened with your last ES9038Q2M dac? You said you were going to send it out to some reviewers, but never posted any reviews.
May be a crazy dac and a 1kHz distortion analyzer, but how does it sound is always my question for you.
Also, we wonder what ever happened with your last ES9038Q2M dac? You said you were going to send it out to some reviewers, but never posted any reviews.
I selling that product already 10 months, about 1000pcs sold. The feedback is only positive, at least about the sound.
Okay, so are there any online reviews comparing the sound of your dac to other low cost ES9038Q2M dacs, maybe such as Khadas Tone Board and or Topping D-3?
my DAC is DAC+balanced_HPA combo, it is not intended for further amplification.
#9038S | index
#9038S | index
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Any online reviews at all that discuss how the dac sounds?
Does the dac have a name I can use to google it?
Does the dac have a name I can use to google it?
HI IVX
AAAH...i remember your Hifitoy
great products congratulations!
the hifitoy is still not released. i would laser/cut your E1DA logo on the top of the housing. looks good and help you with heat convection...
chris
AAAH...i remember your Hifitoy
great products congratulations!
the hifitoy is still not released. i would laser/cut your E1DA logo on the top of the housing. looks good and help you with heat convection...
chris
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You know, DACs is so trivial area vs amps that I stay on that easy way so far. I have plans to sell HiFITOY and it is pretty much ready but my users asking me for new DACs models every day, so my priority is DACs now.
Okay, found the website and some txt to copy here, a review of sorts. Its all I could find that was honest about sound quality.
Site: FAQ | index
Quote:
" In my life I rather prefer PDv2, #9038S has too analytical sound, perhaps too precise for me. SE mod(tube-like emulation) makes a bit "more body" in vocals, this one I like about #9038S."
Okay. 'Too analytical sound' I understand. 'Tube-like emulation' I also understand.
The analytical sound is a defect in the dac sound quality, but not at all surprising at its price point. Some people consider that type of sound fatiguing and refuse to accept it.
Using the Sabre dac harmonic distortion registers to emulate tube sound is not very realistic tube emulation, mostly it is using digital distortion to mask to hide/obscure the analytical sound which itself is a type of dac distortion. For those who don't mind or who even like a little digital distortion, your dacs are probably great for them since the price is so low.
For people that can't stand the shortcomings of minimum cost dac sound, they should probably look elsewhere.
Site: FAQ | index
Quote:
" In my life I rather prefer PDv2, #9038S has too analytical sound, perhaps too precise for me. SE mod(tube-like emulation) makes a bit "more body" in vocals, this one I like about #9038S."
Okay. 'Too analytical sound' I understand. 'Tube-like emulation' I also understand.
The analytical sound is a defect in the dac sound quality, but not at all surprising at its price point. Some people consider that type of sound fatiguing and refuse to accept it.
Using the Sabre dac harmonic distortion registers to emulate tube sound is not very realistic tube emulation, mostly it is using digital distortion to mask to hide/obscure the analytical sound which itself is a type of dac distortion. For those who don't mind or who even like a little digital distortion, your dacs are probably great for them since the price is so low.
For people that can't stand the shortcomings of minimum cost dac sound, they should probably look elsewhere.
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