Neutron Hifi DAC V1

[CedarX]

Very interesting, but the Qudelix 5K, which is $70 cheaper, has a battery, balanced 4VRMS output and already 20 bands / LR PEQ.

Both have ES9219 DAC chips, which makes me wonder a bit how much of an advantage this Neautron Hifi Dac V1 has.

Don’t disagree with your assessment, but the battery may be seen as a big negative by some, and the 5K did not measure great as an USB DAC/Amp (due to the use of the QCC5124 as USB bridge?).
FiiO is another option.

 

[rlw6534]

Don’t disagree with your assessment, but the battery may be seen as a big negative by some, and the 5K did not measure great as an USB DAC/Amp (due to the use of the QCC5124 as USB bridge?).
FiiO is another option.

A small, low power drain USB powered DAC with PEQ is what appeals to me. I have the Q5K as well but it is still a bit cumbersome as a USB dongle. Of course I like new toys also...

 

[GaryH]

the 5K did not measure great as an USB DAC/Amp

It's audibly transparent.

 

[koustuvk17]

It's audibly transparent.

Plus there has been an update since the review adding a new "distortion compensation" option. I don't think anyone has measured the numbers with it activated.

 

[dmitrykos]

Today Apple approved NConfigurator in App Store (https://apps.apple.com/app/nconfigurator/id6501984120). It simplifies DAC V1's configuration on Macs - no more fiddling with Privacy & Security settings.

 

[dmitrykos]

Aa per earlier discussion here DAC V1's received Firmware 40 update today which expands its DSP capabilities:

* Support for 20-band per-channel Parametric EQ (PCM frequency is limited up to 96 kHz)
* Support for DSP effects chaining, e.g.: EQ [10B] + Crossfeed, EQ [10B] + FRC, FRC + Crossfeed (PCM frequency is limited up to 96 kHz)

Release details are on Neutron Forum's dedicated forum.

After carefully checking MCU performance the only limitation applied is max 96 kHz PCM frequency in case of 20-band PEQ or effect chaining (>1 active effects).

NConfigurator tool was updated too to reflect this advancement and its version is now 1.6.0. Released on Neutron HiFi web-site as usually + Apple App Store version is pending the review [update: Apple approved it now, so it is live].

NConfigurator now also supports saving and loading EQ presets into/from a file, therefore it is very convenient to exchange with presets, backup own and etc.

DAC V1 supports such DSP modes:

• Off
• Crossfeed
• Frequency Response Correction (FRC)
• Frequency Response Correction (FRC) + Crossfeed
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B]
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B] + Crossfeed
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B] + Frequency Response Correction (FRC)
• Equalizer (EQ) [20B]

 

[Robbo99999]

Aa per earlier discussion here DAC V1's received Firmware 40 update today which expands its DSP capabilities:

* Support for 20-band per-channel Parametric EQ (PCM frequency is limited up to 96 kHz)
* Support for DSP effects chaining, e.g.: EQ [10B] + Crossfeed, EQ [10B] + FRC, FRC + Crossfeed (PCM frequency is limited up to 96 kHz)

Release details are on Neutron Forum's dedicated forum.

After carefully checking MCU performance the only limitation applied is max 96 kHz PCM frequency in case of 20-band PEQ or effect chaining (>1 active effects).

NConfigurator tool was updated too to reflect this advancement and its version is now 1.6.0. Released on Neutron HiFi web-site as usually + Apple App Store version is pending the review.

NConfigurator now also supports saving and loading EQ presets into/from a file, therefore it is very convenient now to exchange with presets, backup own and etc.

DAC V1 supports such DSP modes:

• Off
• Crossfeed
• Frequency Response Correction (FRC)
• Frequency Response Correction (FRC) + Crossfeed
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B]
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B] + Crossfeed
• Equalizer (EQ) [10B] + Frequency Response Correction (FRC)
• Equalizer (EQ) [20B]

Nice, good job! Did you say you were gonna send Amir one to review? (Seeing as you've got this latest update released, then I guess it's a good time.)

 

[dmitrykos]

Nice, good job! Did you say you were gonna send Amir one to review? (Seeing as you've got this latest update released, then I guess it's a good time.)

Yes, I already PMed @amirm about it today.