I get what you are saying especially about build quality. I had assumed you were talking about audio performance only, which was a wrong assumption on my part, so I am offering you my apology. From the audio performance side, I am skeptical that there is much that is "intangible" (e.g. not captured by a robust set of measurements) for this type of audio component (a USB DAC). I am afraid that human interpretation of the component will be flawed by biases that will not present any new or useful info. These sorts of anecdotal comments are common in many other forums and these can sometimes evolve into snake oil and audio-foolery.
I really think DACs are really gotten beyond the transparency thing. There's some cred to had with a 10K DAC in your studio so recording artists drool over or get excited over (and maybe improves their performance), or a $5K DAC in my living room that might excite a gearhead... but really I don't hear the difference between a modern well designed DAC that can cost around $500 and a $5K one.
15 years ago it was the same between a Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 $ playing CD-DA redbook ripped to a server, a Benchmark DAC-1 $$ or a Prism Orpheus $$$, but if I admit I could hardly tell to fail the difference in careful voltage matched double blind comparison people would say my equipment wasn't good enough etc... Who's brave (or foolish) enough to publicly admit that?
A good experiment would be to put your favourite songs through a 100 pass AD/DA conversion via a batch process, with your best or competent DACS, upload to the Internet and let listeners to decide...
Sorry for the late reply.
I did it with TPA3116, TPA3255 and now with the excellent MA12070
I think you need quite some quality headroom when using DACs with digital volume control. Depending also on the amount of attenuation typically required in the system. Also, the quality of upsampling filters varies quite a lot even today...
And yes, good speakers and acoustics (and trained ears) are essential to hear the more subtle differences.
Regards the lack if unbalanced outputs maybe this is a simple solution: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14002
just use a simple transformer 1+1:1 pushpull to single ended like adcor or better ones
with 5v out we can skip preamp in a lot of amp ....
Transformers seem simple but they often aren't that simple if one want optimal performance.
BTW I sell such transformers but extremely well measuring and therefor large and heavy ones. Point being that if they need to be real good they are larger than the DAC itself 🙂
BTW I sell such transformers but extremely well measuring and therefor large and heavy ones. Point being that if they need to be real good they are larger than the DAC itself 🙂
nope just look at the specifications.
Or the M2 manual:
https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_m2_man.pdf
Or the M2 manual:
https://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_m2_man.pdf
Are you joking ?? DiyaudioSTORE is starting preamp with cheap edcor or very good nikel one for 48$ 😉
My remark:"Transformers seem simple but they often aren't that simple if one wants optimal* performance." The remark is about the part itself not a complete design/device.
Questions:
1. Did you read signal transformers specifications?
2. Did you compare small and large signal transformers specifications?
3. Have you ever mismatched impedances with transformers?
I really like transformers but they are not ideal (as everything else). All in all I think they are among the most misunderstood parts in the electrical/electronic world.
*This Topping DM7 won't perform as intended with the proposed solution to make it unbalanced. Anyway this is off topic so let's move on.
Questions:
1. Did you read signal transformers specifications?
2. Did you compare small and large signal transformers specifications?
3. Have you ever mismatched impedances with transformers?
I really like transformers but they are not ideal (as everything else). All in all I think they are among the most misunderstood parts in the electrical/electronic world.
*This Topping DM7 won't perform as intended with the proposed solution to make it unbalanced. Anyway this is off topic so let's move on.
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please same iron ,different config in m2 is used as repeat coil ..in vfet kit is used as STEPUP with 5X gain ....to drive direct the output stage ,I have dac >jfet+edcor > sony fet outstage
just use 1+1:1 or 1+1:2 with gain but we can use more if reflect impedence is good,btw simple jfetbuffer solve this
For those wanting to use balanced amps the Topping DM7 looks like a gift.
For anyone needing an affordable multichannel DAC for unbalanced amp inputs, there's a neat solution:
Im sorry this thread is still going on about balanced to unbalanced output conversion for the Topping. Maybe we can give it a rest now?
For anyone needing an affordable multichannel DAC for unbalanced amp inputs, there's a neat solution:
Im sorry this thread is still going on about balanced to unbalanced output conversion for the Topping. Maybe we can give it a rest now?
just use a good ones with nikel ...we have no problem....please tell at NP and store that is stuff dont sound good
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