AIYIMA DAC-A6 Review (Stereo DAC)

[JSmith]

In this price range, you might as well throw it away when screen deteriorates.

True, but then that just creates more e-waste and pollution... would prefer something to last longer than the screen part.

Don’t most of these DACs have oled displays? Topping has oled, right?

I wouldn't say most, but some do yes.



JSmith

 

[Dzhaughn]

1999 just called they want their design back.

No they don't. They sent it here to get rid of it.

 

[laudio]

Inflation is rough. The Loxjie D30 on here from last year had better specs, a headphone amp, a remote, and looked better (to me). For $150. Plus internal power supply.

 

[GWolfman]

Thanks. Wonder how much more it'd cost for balanced out (even if in 1/4" variety like some Topping products).

 

[Paolo]

Showing a static image they will not last very long.
With daily usage for example on the PC maybe 1-2 years before significant "burn in"

True, but with a DAC, if the display has a dimmer feature which turn it off after a few seconds, you may run it for months before adding up to “hours of use”.

 

[Walter]

Out of curiosity, how do you go for SPDIF from your tower computer to your DAC? I'm not particularly familiar with the gamers market. You are right tough, Noisy USB ports is not uncommon and it does show up post conversion more often than we think.

I don't, at least at the moment, as I currently have the world's weakest graphics card due to prices skyrocketing just as I was putting my new system together. Since I am not a gamer, it was not worth paying the price. However, I made sure that the motherboard I bought had an S/PDIF optical output, which is not particularly hard to find on mid-level or better boards. So when I do step up to a better graphics card, as I will have to when I upgrade my main monitor, I'll be prepared if there is interference over USB.

 

[JSmith]

if the display has a dimmer feature

Fair point... can anyone advise if this product has such a function?



JSmith

 

[amirm]

It has no settings at all so I don't think you can dim it.

 

[polmuaddib]

True, but then that just creates more e-waste and pollution... would prefer something to last longer than the screen part.

I agree completely. I would rather buy more reliable, sturdy, repairable device with worse measurements.
Hope we get better in recycling, though.

 

[Lambda]

Out of curiosity, how do you go for SPDIF from your tower computer to your DAC? I'm not particularly familiar with the gamers market. You are right tough, Noisy USB ports is not uncommon and it does show up post conversion more often than we think.

Many Mainboards have SPDIF or Toslink out.
And if not HDMI/USB to SPDIF/Toslink converter exist and are cheap.

 

[Doodski]

Out of curiosity, how do you go for SPDIF from your tower computer to your DAC? I'm not particularly familiar with the gamers market. You are right tough, Noisy USB ports is not uncommon and it does show up post conversion more often than we think.

Here is a motherboard termination panel with SPDIF and optical out.

 

[Lambda]

panel wit SPDIF and optical out.

And with "op-amp"

looks like 2020-2021 there ware about 150 different AM4 Mainboards sold
67 of them come with Toslink port.

Preisvergleich - ComputerBase

www.computerbase.de

 

[somebodyelse]

Out of curiosity, how do you go for SPDIF from your tower computer to your DAC? I'm not particularly familiar with the gamers market. You are right tough, Noisy USB ports is not uncommon and it does show up post conversion more often than we think.

Since you're looking for isolation (it's usually the ground that's the issue, not USB as such), if using coax make sure the motherboard or connector breakout has a transformer. Some do, but the one linked earlier doesn't.

 

[Lambda]

Since you're looking for isolation (it's usually the ground that's the issue, not USB as such), if using coax make sure the motherboard or connector breakout has a transformer. Some do, but the one linked earlier doesn't.

It is sufficient if the resiver(DAC) has the transformer.
if both sides isolate its better but i don't think thats common.
(do SPDIF transmitter ever have isolation?)

Ideal is of cause Optical and a converter is only 5-15$ in case you have problems.

 

[somebodyelse]

It is sufficient if the resiver(DAC) has the transformer.
if both sides isolate its better but i don't think thats common.
(do SPDIF transmitter ever have isolation?)

Ideal is of cause Optical and a converter is only 5-15$ in case you have problems.

I've seen many more transmitters with isolation than receivers. I think the AES spec says the transmitters have to have it, while the EBU version says both ends. M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and 192, and FastTrack Ultra 8R all have it on transmit but not receive. You can see it in the photos of the various Topping D10(s,b) models, the Pro versions of HifiBerry's DIGI hats, and even the €19 Fun Generation UA-202.

 

[PeteL]

Since you're looking for isolation (it's usually the ground that's the issue, not USB as such), if using coax make sure the motherboard or connector breakout has a transformer. Some do, but the one linked earlier doesn't.

Sure but Toslink won't have ground issues.

 

[bravomail]

I am going to recommend the AIYIMA DAC-A6.

Thx for review, Amir! if we lived in vacuum, DAC-A6 would have been fine choice. But for the same money or less there r similar devices, with remote, more SINAD, ....

 

[EJ3]

I gave it a 3 because it is (similar to as some companies used to say) "adequate".
My concerns are (as already expressed by others whom I have copied): the display burn in/longevity, the fast rise of distortion with frequency, which Bluetooth codecs it supports (or doesn't) and that the performance starts to worsen near max volume.
I would be willing to pay $20 to $50 more for something with similar looks & ergonomics that had these items rectified (and had overall great possibility of great longevity).

 

[ranrt]

I would rate it 3 stars , for the reason bellows.
1. No remote.
2. No tubes, like my Fosi audio tube P1 have.
3. Wish it had an IEC power inlet.

 

[milosz]

There are so many very good DACs these days at very reasonable prices.... I wonder who is buying the expensive DACs from the high-end companies that (mostly) measure worse but cost ten times or more as much...?