Amir's TODO thread

[stunta]

I am getting extreme pressure to measure Topping D50 and a few other bits. Folks know where I live so my life may literally be in danger if I don't test their stuff!!!

I am with wombat on this. Once we have figured out what DACs at different price buckets measure well, there may not be much more ROI for you, Amir. But it's your time, your site, so I can only suggest

 

[amirm]

Do you have any Audio-gd gears on the radar? Their NFB-11 is so popular you should add it on your list.

Yes. I have a N27.38 monster of a box on loan to review. Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[amirm]

I am with wombat on this. Once we have figured out what DACs at different price buckets measure well, there may not be much more ROI for you, Amir. But it's your time, your site, so I can only suggest

Unfortunately it is easy to screw up a chip DAC with a poor implementation so verification is still necessary. Also these DACs amps have differing features that may attract one person vs another.

Appreciate the feedback anyway. Currently I am driven by boatload of loaned equipment which I need to review and then return so the course is setting itself more or less for now.

 

[bunkbail]

Yes. I have a N27.38 monster of a box on loan to review. Welcome to the forum by the way.

Thanks for the welcome. I don't see the NFB-27.38 on the 1st post though, maybe you should update it or is it long way down the review pecking order it doesn't deserve a spot on the list?

 

[amirm]

Thanks for the welcome. I don't see the NFB-27.38 on the 1st post though, maybe you should update it or is it long way down the review pecking order it doesn't deserve a spot on the list?

Yes I noticed it was missing. I just updated the list. I often fall behind on that list when it is loaned equipment.

 

[bunkbail]

Yes I noticed it was missing. I just updated the list. I often fall behind on that list when it is loaned equipment.

Cool! NFB-27.38 is the bigger brother of the NFB-11 so it is exciting to see how good it'll fare in measurement tests. Do you have the permission from the owner to do a teardown review of the unit? Audio-gd products have great craftsmanship in them, so close-up pictures with your analysis should be very entertaining.

 

[amirm]

Cool! NFB-27.38 is the bigger brother of the NFB-11 so it is exciting to see how good it'll fare in measurement tests. Do you have the permission from the owner to do a teardown review of the unit? Audio-gd products have great craftsmanship in them, so close-up pictures with your analysis should be very entertaining.

I will ask to see what he says.

 

[amirm]

Ok, permission is granted for a teardown of the Audio-gd!

 

[bunkbail]

Ok, permission is granted for a teardown of the Audio-gd!

Awesome!! Looking forward to it soo much!

 

[Zilfallion]

Unfortunately it is easy to screw up a chip DAC with a poor implementation so verification is still necessary. Also these DACs amps have differing features that may attract one person vs another.

Yes. We've seen this with the Modi 2's poor USB implementation despite the AKM AK4490 that we also saw do fairly well in the OL DAC at the same price.(Although the OL DAC is listed as a AK4490EQ, which may be different, but should be close enough for this comparison). The actual implementation and design of the board around the DAC chip can greatly change how well it performs is something I learned from this site.

 

[chungjun]

Good to be here and appreciate the resources / points of view shared.

Most will want to know and I'm wondering... with all these build-up of reviews / measurements / data / resources, at some point will there be an 'objective' ranking for DACs here on ASR?

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I don't have a DAC3. A forum member here has one and is visiting me in June and he may bring it then.

For now, if there is an explosion of donations, I don't think I will be in a position to purchase it anytime soon.

And yes, it gets superlative reviews including great measurements from stereophile.

 

[amirm]

Good question. We have had that discussion but ultimately it was inconclusive. Where we netted was that I would select some products as recommended by ASR.

 

[Zek]

How I understand your recommendation is based on the measurement/data of the device, can you possibly do a blind test of listening to these devices in front of a panel of 4-5 people?

 

[amirm]

How I understand your recommendation is based on the measurement/data of the device, can you possibly do a blind test of listening to these devices in front of a panel of 4-5 people?

Levels would have to be matched for such a test which I am not yet setup to do.

Also where we live there is only my wife and two dogs. Would you accept the dogs as the substitute for those humans???

 

[iridium]

Levels would have to be matched for such a test which I am not yet setup to do.

Also where we live there is only my wife and two dogs. Would you accept the dogs as the substitute for those humans???

Dogs percentage wise:
>>> greater common sense than humans
>>> unconditional love for the better [screw aesthetics]
>>> quality of hearing
>>> inately know not to touch [lick] the tubes
>>> etc. / this list could be long

Brings on the dogs.

There is actually a good amount of seriousness hear; a dog test could be great.

iridium.

 

[amirm]

That all sounds good. Problem is, how do I force them to keep the headphones on???

Mine don't act like this:

 

[Zek]

Why are you testing only with headphones and not with amplifiers?

 

[amirm]

'Cause the dogs won't sit still for speaker testing...

 

[Dismayed]

Hi Amir. Will you add my Schiit Lyr to the list? No pressing need to get it back, but I am looking forward to a Schiit-free life!

 

[Deleted member 65]

Arrange an ASR Group Buy of Topping D50 ... ;-)