• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Audioengine D1 (gen 2)

Neferzix

New Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2025
Messages
3
Likes
0

Attachments

  • MAINBOARD.jpg
    MAINBOARD.jpg
    789 KB · Views: 71
  • ESS9018K2M.jpg
    ESS9018K2M.jpg
    348.5 KB · Views: 63
  • 25W02E.jpg
    25W02E.jpg
    262.3 KB · Views: 60
  • CT7601CR.jpg
    CT7601CR.jpg
    468.6 KB · Views: 60
  • DIO2072.jpg
    DIO2072.jpg
    330.1 KB · Views: 67
  • HC32F005.jpg
    HC32F005.jpg
    336.8 KB · Views: 59
  • KL4-1AM-YJAA.jpg
    KL4-1AM-YJAA.jpg
    355 KB · Views: 60
  • L65K-YJAA.jpg
    L65K-YJAA.jpg
    336.4 KB · Views: 56
  • SABRE9601K.jpg
    SABRE9601K.jpg
    355.9 KB · Views: 53
  • UDAC1 V1.64.jpg
    UDAC1 V1.64.jpg
    290 KB · Views: 58
Last edited:
Of course the question is, how does it perform in the real world?

There's nothing wrong with using a 32-bit DAC but you can't REALLY get 32-bits of RESOLUTION. (I'm not sure what the "best DAC" can do but the limit seems to be around 18 or 20 bits.) And your ears wouldn't hear the difference.

And there is (virtually) no 32-bit program material.
 
Of course the question is, how does it perform in the real world?

There's nothing wrong with using a 32-bit DAC but you can't REALLY get 32-bits of RESOLUTION. (I'm not sure what the "best DAC" can do but the limit seems to be around 18 or 20 bits.) And your ears wouldn't hear the difference.

And there is (virtually) no 32-bit program material.
The 32-bit figure is an indicator that the manufacturer has designed the DAC to operate far from its theoretical limits, which is usually synonymous with a higher-quality product as a whole. The key still lies in the implementation.
 
It seems that they simply took the ESS suggested design:

1759005890585.png


And the choice of the SABRE9601K as a headphone driver in a desktop device is simply unacceptable. Its output power is not suitable for such an application in today's competitive market:
1759006106661.png

1759006169752.png

It can produce only maximum 40 mW (or 1.13 Vrms) into 32 ohm load, or 70 mW (1.06 Vrms) into 16 ohm load. This is way too little power even for a USB bus-powered device, and definitely not what you can accept for a desktop device costing $169.

In contrast, the Topping DX1 is an excellent, exemplary product:

1759007653957.png


Max 260 mW (or 2.9 Vrms) into 32 ohm, or 310 mW (or 2.2 Vrms) into 16 ohm load. Excellent output power for a bus-powered device.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom