EarMen Donald DAC Review

[Juhazi]

https://aurisaudio.rs/en/products/earmen/donald-dac

Description doesn't sound too scientific... but who cares when it measures and works so well and 2nd power supply will give lower noise

Dual Power Supply option
By combining with external power supply, high-resolution records, the sound will get even better definition, but also more vivid, sparkling tones throughout the range. The color and discreet overlays between the tones will become more pronounced and the sound will get one temperamental and energetic line.

 

[solderdude]

So what you have proven is that dedicated power supplies have measurable differences in noise, despite what might be expected to be a highly regulated power supply!

What happens if you plug your monitor or the Samsung charger into a Line Conditioner? @amirm (hint/nudge)

I don't think the crap you see comes from poor powersupply regulation.
I would suspect that what has been proven is that some common mode power supply crap makes it into the audio path.
Chances are this DAC is more prone to have groundloop issues than some other DACs. Ofcourse I could be wrong about this. We can only know by testing for it.

 

[Veri]

I don't think the crap you see comes from poor powersupply regulation.
I would suspect that what has been proven is that some common mode power supply crap makes it into the audio path.
Chances are this DAC is more prone to have groundloop issues than some other DACs. Ofcourse I could be wrong about this. We can only know by testing for it.

Was thinking the same.

This should also be DSD capable according to the Cirrus Logic datasheet:
https://www.cirrus.com/products/cs43198/

Not necessarily: the DAC might support DSD, but the USB receiver chip also needs to support & as well as be configured for it.

 

[solderdude]

On the website it says it supports PCM 384kHz/32bit, MQA, DSD256 and DXD.
It has an XMos 2XX receiver.

Not bad for the pricepoint.

The salespitch nonsense they write could have been left out but it is what some potential customers will find compelling. It puts me off though. I'd rather see none of the written nonsense.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Same chip as this unit.

https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/amari/

 

[urfaust]

the shape of the dashboard looks very smiliar to the Hidizs/Sonata, once cleaned up, which should make sense. I think in dac mode the sonata is still unbeatable for the price and size but very nice if you need MQA and wants something that looks a bit more desktop.

 

[ZolaIII]

I don't think the crap you see comes from poor powersupply regulation.
I would suspect that what has been proven is that some common mode power supply crap makes it into the audio path.
Chances are this DAC is more prone to have groundloop issues than some other DACs. Ofcourse I could be wrong about this. We can only know by testing for it.

Ou they (CS) claim great rejection rate to power source of 100 dB @ 20 KHz but every so far measured design hire (CS43198 or cs43131 [which is the same with integrated Amp]) shows it's very itchy to it.

 

[3125b]

Regarding the power supply vs. PC USB power I yesterday plugged my E30 into my iPad charger instead of the PC USB where I powered it from before - and unsurprisingly it made no audible difference, though it might make a small measurable one, as shown in some thread.
Fairly similar to this DAC with one vs. two USB connectors plugged in, maybe even less so.

 

[Juhazi]

Ou they (CS) claim great rejection rate to power source of 100 dB @ 20 KHz but every so far measured design hire (CS43198 or cs43131 [which is the same with integrated Amp]) shows it's very itchy to it.

Amir's measuremet shows garbage level -120dB. Can one really call it bad behaviour?

 

[F1308]

Industrial development and their achievements are truly outstanding.
99$ will get you into the very top quarter zone in the scale.
699$ needed to be third...
How nice...

 

[pos]

Same chip as this unit.

https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/amari/

View attachment 65874

They use 8 of them though
I would love to see that unit tested...

 

[Xyrium]

Looks at Cirrus Logic still kickin' it behind the scenes, just fantastic. It's a shame that CR doesn't market their chips as well as AKM and ESS. At least Earmen are sexin' it up for them. Great stuff, I plan to eyeball the rest of their line now.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Zerohour]

Yes, that is here as well.

I don't suppose you have the Sparrow as well

 

[daclogic]

On the website it says it supports PCM 384kHz/32bit, MQA, DSD256 and DXD.
It has an XMos 2XX receiver.

DSD256? I can't see any mention of DSD at all on their home page.

 

[solderdude]

It is in the specs on the bottom of the page of the DAC itself, between the PCM and DXD specs.

 

[Toku]

DSD256? I can't see any mention of DSD at all on their home page.

I think that it is the same product, but one has the description of DSD256.

https://earmen-shop.com/products/donald-dac
https://aurisaudio.rs/en/products/earmen/donald-dac

 

[dorirod]

Industrial development and their achievements are truly outstanding.
99$ will get you into the very top quarter zone in the scale.
699$ needed to be third...
How nice...

It's even better as Soncoz SGD1 at $470 will get you 3rd place too, but I agree with the sentiment. I'd probably still pay the extra $30 over this DAC and go for the Topping E30 due to optical input (and gets you in top tier). Very good to see excellent performance at lower and lower prices.

Thank you Amir for the review!

 

[daclogic]

It is in the specs on the bottom of the page of the DAC itself, between the PCM and DXD specs.

Thanks for that solderdude. It is as you say. Interesting. I was looking at the manufacturer's site, which does mention MQA and DXD, but not DSD. https://earmen-shop.com/products/donald-dac

 

[ZolaIII]

Amir's measuremet shows garbage level -120dB. Can one really call it bad behaviour?

Now take a look to the Meizu's or the Creative SBX G6 all with CS43131. Don't even think how Samsung phone charger is a very clean power source. I believe battery would future improve things.

 

[F1308]

Donald Dac? ... that humor is so bad it made my uncle cringe.

I think the name given is indeed very funny...even when English turns out not to be your mother tongue.
Could you please tell your uncle I am so bad at cooking that I use a can opener to open the eggs?