AKM... AKM!!! I hope this isn't what it looks like.... because it looks BAD

[Sokel]

Yeah, that's probably the best option...
I'll add the answer to this thread if they tell me.

I would give my luck some better odds and ask AMK directly if I was you.

 

[Rednaxela]

Some more impressions…

AK4499EQ - Best DAC ever

Depends what you consider better. Typically flat THD+N across audio frequencies is desirable. yep isn't flat without rc please see better the pic you post , with 3300(why not more ?) and r10 is the better profile,living as Markw4 post on sound not so good in this case

www.diyaudio.com

 

[mike7877]

I would give my luck some better odds and ask AMK directly if I was you.

Like from the page you request the datasheets from?

Yeah, I should talk to them first - ask them what the difference between the two modes is in the first place

 

[max_headroom]

The DAC's stated applications include "measurement equipment" and "control systems". Perhaps AKM believe that these applications have different performance objectives to audio reproduction?

 

[Sangram]

Presently I have put it back in the box pending construction of a proper amplifier. While checking if everything was OK I was using the Listening mode as it is the default. I only started messing with the menu on day 3, and did not get a chance for extensive comparison. The monitoring mode was my eventual preference.

I am very poor at describing things subjectively, however to me it seems that in Listening mode there is a small dip through the midbass to make the overall sound appear a bit more forward. Whether this is simple EQ or something more involved I do not know, but the difference is quite minor. The filters (which have a separate submenu) have overall a more pronounced effect. You do lose a very small amount of upper midbass detail, some specific sounds on some specific tracks tend to recede a bit.

I would hazard a guess that the impact is too minor to worry about. Both voicing seem acceptable, nothing offensive. Just moving your speakers about a bit, or moving closer or further will have far more change than the one setting.

 

[Lambda]

And why would measurement mode, with better measurements, not sound as good as SOUND QUALITY MODE (food for thought in a different way for some people)

Well if your measurement can be tricked easily your measurement is not showing the full picture.

Of cause its easy to make a device that has Ultra High pure low distortion 1khz SINAD but is otherwise bad.
That’s why im against ranking by this metric.

 

[sunjam]

I believe SMSL D-6 has such SC setting for another similar AKM chip (4493S)

People who have SMSL D-6 can try it out with different SC setting.

Note: it is different from the regular filter settings as D-6 has a different filter setting too.