Review and Measurements of Sabaj D5 DAC & Amp

[ahofer]

I got my Sabaj D5 from Amazon the other day and in less than ten-songs-worth of enjoyment, I heard a loud screeching noise before it turned in to a $500.00 boat anchor. I'm so happy Amazon accepted my return and a refund is already on its way. The ten songs I got to listen too sounded great though.

I had an iFi that did that

 

[Sektor7G]

I had an iFi that did that

Not familiar with that brand, never the less, I feel your pain. I hope you got your money back.

 

[HoJ76]

Who is best, D5 or dx3?

 

[gvl]

Who is best, D5 or dx3?

So far the best is DAC8 Stereo, it's a scientific fact.

 

[Veri]

Who is best, D5 or dx3?

D5 has balanced XLR outputs. DX3 single ended only. Balanced is pretty nice to have..

 

[gvl]

@amirm, did you happen to check the frequency response over the headphone output when you had the unit?

 

[Malis]

Here is an unboxing video of the DAC/AMP in my friends Youtube channel. It was bought because of this review:

 

[Henrik Christensen]

Hi. I want to update my Sabaj D5 that have now a version 1.2 and I want to instaal version 1.6 software, but have lot af problems. I use segger j-link version 6.50b for windos..but first wil stm32VC.jflash not come, but final i foud it a plce on inbternet, next problems is tha Sabaj D5 1v6 file...i not can find...i have follow that SABAJ D5 Firmware upgrade instructions.pdf but lot of think i not can see. Ihave the kit with usb cable...what do i wrong?? Bet Regards from Henrik

 

[Malis]

This should be helpful to you @Henrik Christensen

 

[Henrik Christensen]

okay sorry, but i dont under stand alli can not see all that happen on the video..i understand the first..and all go extreemly fast no text or something...end only i want is fid the hex file...but where is it?? I have got the STM32VC flash file.

 

[Henrik Christensen]

but where did i find it, ar the hex file came from segger firmware or where....sorry i don´t understand..only i want is good sound from a good dac connect to my aragon 8008 with xlr connect...it works

 

[Henrik Christensen]

and taht failed under indstall...:-(
- JLinkARM.dll V6.50b (DLL compiled Sep 6 2019 17:57:35)
Creating new project ...
- New project created successfully
Saving project file [C:\Users\abhec\OneDrive\Dokumenter\SABAJ D5 Firmware\STM32VC.jflash] ...
- Project saved successfully
Close project
- Project closed
Opening project file [C:\Users\abhec\OneDrive\Dokumenter\SABAJ D5 Firmware\STM32VC.jflash] ...
- Project opened successfully
Failed to open data file [C:\Users\abhec\OneDrive\Dokumenter\SABAJ D5 Firmware\]...

 

[Henrik Christensen]

HI, is somewhere here, that can tell my what max out put for rca output for Sabaj D5, normally for cd players are max 2 volt.?

 

[Veri]

HI, is somewhere here, that can tell my what max out put for rca output for Sabaj D5, normally for cd players are max 2 volt.?

Should be standard 2V.

 

[Henrik Christensen]

Okay thank you for you answer, it does not appears from Sabajs D5 data.

 

[Veri]

Okay thank you for you answer, it does not appears from Sabajs D5 data.

You're welcome. Amir measured it in this review in any case, it's at full volume: 4V bal 2V single-ended.

 

[ALex_hha]

Does it has a remote ? It's not clear from off page

It does

 

[officialsm]

The Sabaj d5 versus Topping D90SE could be compared?
Do you think Will be differences ti earing?

 

[gvl]

It’s very doubtful you’ll hear any differences between the 2, they are even based on the same ESS chip, so even the silly “DAC chip sound signature” argument doesn’t apply.

 

[officialsm]

It’s very doubtful you’ll hear any differences between the 2, they are even based on the same ESS chip, so even the silly “DAC chip sound signature” argument doesn’t apply.

Corretto but maybe different sound and sound quality (soundstage depth, instruments) Will be affected by output stage (ops, clock and so on)