Audioengine D1 (gen 2)

[Neferzix]

Hello everyone, since at the time I couldn't find pictures of this DAC with a headphone amplifier, I'm attaching some images for anyone who is interested and curious to see it in detail.

D1 32-bit DAC/Headphone Amp - Audioengine EU

audioengineeu.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IPH5H2

 

[Neferzix]

I attach the technical documentation.

 

[DVDdoug]

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.

 

[Neferzix]

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.

 

[jkim]

It seems that they simply took the ESS suggested design:

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:

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:

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.