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AK4499 vs ES9038Pro / Gustard DAC-X26 vs Gustard DAC-A22

 
It is a bit out of topic, but he did say that there's a DAC with ESS 9038 chip for less than 30 USD, but does it sound as good as a Mytek unit with the same DAC chip? We all can absolutely say that no, it won't sound the same. The point of the video is: Is it good enough if we use the specs primarily for decision on buying an audio gear? Which is a valid question. The main point that he's trying to make, the specs are one of the reasons, but you need to judge it by your self too, be it the sound quality, usability, etc.
 
zzz2496 said:
It is a bit out of topic, but he did say that there's a DAC with ESS 9038 chip for less than 30 USD, but does it sound as good as a Mytek unit with the same DAC chip? We all can absolutely say that no, it won't sound the same. The point of the video is: Is it good enough if we use the specs primarily for decision on buying an audio gear? Which is a valid question. The main point that he's trying to make, the specs are one of the reasons, but you need to judge it by your self too, be it the sound quality, usability, etc.
Click to expand...

I have no idea if the 30 dollar DAC sounds as good as a Mytek. I would need to listen to them in a blind test and see the measurements on both DACs. I might be wrong but I thought mytek used the 9028 chip? No matter. True the Mytek will probably have more connections which would be a reason to choose it over a 30 dollar DAC.
 
JustJones said:
I have no idea if the 30 dollar DAC sounds as good as a Mytek. I would need to listen to them in a blind test and see the measurements on both DACs. I might be wrong but I thought mytek used the 9028 chip? No matter. True the Mytek will probably have more connections which would be a reason to choose it over a 30 dollar DAC.
Click to expand...
I'm 100000000% sure that it won't sound the same. DACs as a unit does not comprise of the DAC CHIP alone, same DAC chip but different power supply circuit, with different output signal circuit will make the DAC (as a unit) sound different, and will show different test results too... Btw, the "he" in my comment refers to Hans, the person in the video.
 
zzz2496 said:
I'm 100000000% sure that it won't sound the same. DACs as a unit does not comprise of the DAC CHIP alone, same DAC chip but different power supply circuit, with different output signal circuit will make the DAC (as a unit) sound different, and will show different test results too... Btw, the "he" in my comment refers to Hans, the person in the video.
Click to expand...

You mentioned the DAC chip I understand there's more to the unit than a chip. Whether they sound the same or different I have no idea, the point is would they sound different enough for me to choose which is which in a controlled listening test? I have no idea. The only thing I'm 100% sure of is you can't judge DACs by price. I imagine Hans is a nice guy but I don't put much stock in his subjective opinions.
 
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Even on the recording you can hear the difference on the mid-range. I like the akm more.
 
zzz2496 said:
To a sensitive ears, a 100dB content (say a music concert), but with added distortion on the "sibilant" frequency range around 3dB, will manifest as "This DAC is a tad bright". The distortion adds up to the total of 100dB, maybe the content it self is around 97dB with 3dB of distortion, but once you listen to that kind of loudness, anything can be heard.
Click to expand...

97dB + 3dB ≠ 100dB.

1601931991668.png


So, 97dB + 3dB = 97.0000000017289 dB.

Also worth pointing out that distortion audibility decreases as SPL increases, not the opposite.
 
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ESS sounds totally different to AK, how many here actually have expensive DACs with both chips in them for comparison and aren't just using other peoples opinions? :D
 
Sg86 said:
ESS sounds totally different to AK, how many here actually have expensive DACs with both chips in them for comparison and aren't just using other peoples opinions? :D
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I've had a bunch. In a controlled test the differences disappear. Keyword is 'controlled'. Some quick sighted test looking at the devices hardly proves anything at all.
 
Sg86 said:
ESS sounds totally different to AK, how many here actually have expensive DACs with both chips in them for comparison and aren't just using other peoples opinions? :D
Click to expand...

How does expensive relate to it? I mean, some implication there, some correlation, like perhaps with "the implementation"...and assuming that the housing and terminals and so on do not affect the sound?
If the [implementation] is a factor, then it is not just a comparison of various DAC chips...so...?
 
Katji said:
How does expensive relate to it? I mean, some implication there, some correlation, like perhaps with "the implementation"...and assuming that the housing and terminals and so on do not affect the sound?
If the [implementation] is a factor, then it is not just a comparison of various DAC chips...so...?
Click to expand...

Expensive are more likely to have a better implementation, $50 over $500, I think most would agree so no need to be weird about it.
 
I do like how everyone on this forum just seems to write bull for the sake of writing it :oops:
 
How is that weird?
So how then should that comparison of expensive DAC be done?
 
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