Budget DAC for RPi4 (LMS) setup

[3ek]

Hi.
I'm on the market for new DAC for my RPi4 piCorePlayer LMS setup. Now i'm using PCM5122 DAC Hat. Its sound not so good quality
Searching for musical (non clinical), maybe neutral to warm sounding DAC (AKM chip device or..) Auto power off/on, it must.
I'ts nice to have phones amp output, and volume knop. (feat.)
Using Yamaha amp, Dali Zensor 3 pair, speakers.
Now i'm looking (up to 200$/euro)

SMSL D12
SMSL Sanskrit S10 10th MKII
SMSL Sanskrit S10 MKIII
Topping E30 II
Topping D6s
FiiO K11

Thanks.
P.S.English is not my best.

 

[Dunring]

I've got a Sanskrit 10th MKII and it's a great DAC, simple and looks nice. The E30 original or II are good, SMSL SU-1 as well. Just shop on price, AliExpress has the SU-1 at a good price with coin discount.

 

[3ek]

i'm shopping on amazon.de maybe, or local. Not for ali, for 60 days delivery.

 

[Xombul]

Topping d10

 

[3ek]

Topping DX3 Pro+ and SABAJ A10d (2021) its also on my list.

 

[Nutul]

Topping DX3 Pro+ and SABAJ A10d (2021) its also on my list.

Since performance-wise they are very similar, I'd go for the Topping just because it's cheaper. Also, Amazon is short of Sabaj, at least on .de and .co.uk...

 

[3ek]

Since performance-wise they are very similar, I'd go for the Topping just because it's cheaper. Also, Amazon is short of Sabaj, at least on .de and .co.uk...

I'm in no rush to buy. I have DAP {FiiO m3 Pro (ESS ES9218P DAC) pair with Audio Technica M40X) i listen from time to time.
Sound: Analytical plenty of details. But sometimes, not fun to listen (hi freq too much)
So, AKM DAC, or Fii0 k11 (CL) is other devices on my list, because of that.

 

[Nutul]

I'm in no rush to buy. I have DAP {FiiO m3 Pro (ESS ES9218P DAC) pair with Audio Technica M40X) i listen from time to time.
Sound: Analytical plenty of details. But sometimes, not fun to listen (hi freq too much)
So, AKM DAC, or Fii0 k11 (CL) is other devices on my list, because of that.

I may be wrong, but the a10d (the 2021 issue) is implemented around an ESS chip, not AKM...

 

[popej]

I wouldn't bother, if you already have a decent hat. There is nothing to gain by replacing a component, which is probably the best part the entire audio system.
For a new budget build I would try a dongle with CS43131. Inexpensive and measures really good:

A Thread Dedicated to Cirrus Logic CS43131

Has anyone measured CS43131 in this form factor? I'd love to go back to the Apple Dongle dimensions, but my memory of the 31993 EM noise is still fresh.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

SMSL SU-1, Tanchjim or Tempotec dongles.

 

[3ek]

I chose E30 II lite.
Yesterday set it up. Using Asus power brick from old tablet 5V 1.35A.
The sound is so clear, not loud, compare with PCM5122 HAT.
The vocal is back from the sound stage (comp. PCM5122). The bass is strong punchy (not analogue sound like) High are sparkle, but not so much (dark present),
Its obviously digital sound signature with minor coloration.

i'm looking for replace USB cable: Oehlbach Excellence USB A-B Interlink Cable or with good USB 2.0 A-B cable from printer?
Maybe power supply is not nesesery to replace to..

 

[borish]

I use E30 II and Khadas tone 2 pro.
Both of them are practically overkill for any normal music listener.
I don't recommend USB dongles, they are intended for headphone use and usually don't have linear output, so, basically, all audio from them passes through an amplifier.
If you plan to connect your streamer to a regular amplifier, use a desktop DAC. Khadas has both balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs in addition to linear ones, but if you plan to use a high-impedance cans, you may find a need to use a dedicated HP amp anyway or, like me, use a headphone output in my receivers, which are good in a quality equipment and provide all amplification you may need.

 

[popej]

I don't recommend USB dongles, they are intended for headphone use and usually don't have linear output, so, basically, all audio from them passes through an amplifier.

There are DAC chips with integrated headphone amp, which delivers performance comparable to line output. Side effect is that dongle is smaller and cheaper. Just look for measurements before selecting dongle to buy.

 

[DZLRULZ]

RPI4 is picky about PSU quality, if you drop voltage too low it will certainly become unstable due to no regulation on the board. Investing in a decent power brick can save a lot of hassles. I have multiple RPI4 in service and my best stable results have been with the Canakit PSU for ~$10, see link.

If you hadn't settled on the E30 II Lite I would also propose SMSL SU-1 or SMSL C100 (I have used both) or Topping D10s - all great sounding entry level units.

I wouldn't be too concerned with the USB-cable unless it is very thin or has physical connection issues. Cablecreation makes nice cables if you need a longer one - I have the one linked and it works well to connect my Klipsch Fives to my RoPieee Roon endpoint (Pi4.)

PSU link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TYQRXTK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A30ZYR2W3VAJ0A&psc=1
USB-A Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0769DVRLP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PS - The Pi4 depending on revision and FW may be more forgiving for power consumption on USB-2.0 ports (black ports.)

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, are you using any DSP (digital sound processing) software in your Pi? Camilla is popular.

I ask because you really won't get much of a benefit from changing your DAC, but you can get a huge improvement from DSP.
You mentioned that you sometimes find your sound fatiguing, or with too much in the HF - that's exactly what DSP can fix.

I'm no expert on DSP on the Pi, but plenty of people here are and there's a lot to read.

Have a look before you spend money

 

[JeremyFife]

Quick update, see this: Thread 'RPi4 + CamillaDSP Tutorial' https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/rpi4-camilladsp-tutorial.29656/