We now have reviews from Amir for both the D5 and the DX7 Pro both showing amazing results for relatively cheap DACs.
The other DAC just released but not yet measured is the SMSL M500 which also uses the ES9038Pro.
I wanted to start a thread discussing the merits of each DAC in terms of functionality, use and cost.
I've created a google sheet with all the information I could find on these devices to compare them technically.
For me there is an obvious difference which separates the M500 from the other 2, it's a much simpler device. It doesn't provide the same connectivity for headphones, offering no balanced output for headphones just 1 single ended output. But it does offer some features the others don't, its USB input uses the new XMOS XU-216 chip (over the XU-208) which provides MQA support, has 1 extra optical input and is very much portable when compared with the other 2 devices being smaller and weighing less than a Kilo. The simplicity also means there are no AES or I2S digital inputs.
The Sabaj and the Topping are much more similar, in terms of features and inputs but the Topping is the only one of the 3 devices to offer support for Bluetooth as an input, it's also the only device with AES inputs and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.
Finally in terms of specs one of the most important, cost. The Sabaj already seems to be discounted as it was the 1st to arrive but as of writing the cost of each from Ali Express is Sabaj D5 $470, Topping DX7 Pro $599, SMSL 5400 $399.
I know there are people on the forum who already own these devices so it'd be great to get their feedback on what it's like living with these products rather than just looking at the specs and review scores. I'd be very interested to know what people think of each of the companies in terms of support, for example I understand the Sabaj is only able to have its firmware updated by a tool required from the manufacturer.
P.S. I have very little understanding of headphone amps so if I've missed something really important please forgive my ignorance.
The other DAC just released but not yet measured is the SMSL M500 which also uses the ES9038Pro.
I wanted to start a thread discussing the merits of each DAC in terms of functionality, use and cost.
I've created a google sheet with all the information I could find on these devices to compare them technically.
For me there is an obvious difference which separates the M500 from the other 2, it's a much simpler device. It doesn't provide the same connectivity for headphones, offering no balanced output for headphones just 1 single ended output. But it does offer some features the others don't, its USB input uses the new XMOS XU-216 chip (over the XU-208) which provides MQA support, has 1 extra optical input and is very much portable when compared with the other 2 devices being smaller and weighing less than a Kilo. The simplicity also means there are no AES or I2S digital inputs.
The Sabaj and the Topping are much more similar, in terms of features and inputs but the Topping is the only one of the 3 devices to offer support for Bluetooth as an input, it's also the only device with AES inputs and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.
Finally in terms of specs one of the most important, cost. The Sabaj already seems to be discounted as it was the 1st to arrive but as of writing the cost of each from Ali Express is Sabaj D5 $470, Topping DX7 Pro $599, SMSL 5400 $399.
I know there are people on the forum who already own these devices so it'd be great to get their feedback on what it's like living with these products rather than just looking at the specs and review scores. I'd be very interested to know what people think of each of the companies in terms of support, for example I understand the Sabaj is only able to have its firmware updated by a tool required from the manufacturer.
P.S. I have very little understanding of headphone amps so if I've missed something really important please forgive my ignorance.
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