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Change Dac

zag55

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Aug 7, 2020
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Good evening. I wanted to ask you. Would you change an Audiolab Mdac Dac with ESS 9018, with a Topping E30 with AK 4493, or a Topping E50 with ESS 9068? Thank you
 
Hi,
I'd look at my system as a whole, wonder if I had the speakers set up properly or if I could tweak my room. I'd try to understand what I liked about the sound and where I felt that I would like improvements.

I wouldn't change a perfectly decent DAC for another that might measure better, but is unlikely to be audibly different. The DAC chip is irrelevant too.

Obviously, it's your system and if you just want a change that's fine - Topping E30II.

Have a think about your system and your sound. See where that takes you
 
Why should you? The M-DAC seems to measure absolutely transparent as is shown here:


So most likely you won't hear a difference between this one and the other mentioned DACs in a blind test. Let alone between AKM and ESS: they are all transparent and indistinguishable from another when implemented properly.

So no: no need to change the DAC for other reasons than features or pride of ownership.
 
These?


 
Good evening. I wanted to ask you. Would you change an Audiolab Mdac Dac with ESS 9018, with a Topping E30 with AK 4493, or a Topping E50 with ESS 9068? Thank you
It appears you have put some reading and thought into the actual DAC IC part numbers and expect to purchase sound based on the DAC IC make and model. Unfortunately the sound will not be audibly different based on the make and model of DAC IC.
 
If the D/A converter you are currently using works well and doesn't give you trouble (noises, clicks, nice operation etc) and it has all the functionality you desire, I wouldn't bother looking to change it.

Sometimes in the pursuit of something "better" you end up taking a step back.
 
If the D/A converter you are currently using works well and doesn't give you trouble (noises, clicks, nice operation etc) and it has all the functionality you desire, I wouldn't bother looking to change it.

Sometimes in the pursuit of something "better" you end up taking a step back.

More like running around in a circle and ending exactly where you started.
 
Would you change an Audiolab Mdac Dac with ESS 9018, with a Topping E30 with AK 4493, or a Topping E50 with ESS 9068
I had an original M-DAC for years and was happy with it. The only thing worth knowing is that some were manufactured using a batch of bad capacitors.
 
Are you running a CD player directly into it?
Yes --> Worth considering. Older ESS DACs like the ES9018 have no 0 dBFS+ headroom.
No --> Probably not worth it. Keep a minimum of headroom in the digital domain for hot masters if you aren't doing so already anyway (e.g. indirectly through volume normalization).
 
Good evening. I wanted to ask you. Would you change an Audiolab Mdac Dac with ESS 9018, with a Topping E30 with AK 4493, or a Topping E50 with ESS 9068? Thank you
I went from the SMSL M8 with 9018 to the Topping E30. While the older M8 measures well, I feel like the E30 sounds better.
 
Strongly recommand to change DAC if you can't repair M-DAC capacitors, all e-caps will die after 1 or 2 years.
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I repaired more than 15pcs of M-DAC in TW and all of them sound much better after swap capacitors.

If you consider Topping DAC then E70 velvet will be good one or E30 is OK if you don't need that much function of DAC.
 
I feel like the E30 sounds better.
However, feelings don't tell you anything about the actual sound quality. Nor about what anyone else comparing the same devices might feel.
 
However, feelings don't tell you anything about the actual sound quality. Nor about what anyone else comparing the same devices might feel.
Yeah, blah, blah, blah, measurements only yuck yuck yuck. The M8 to me sounded a little harsh in comparison. Could be bias, could be real. We'll never know.
 
If you strongly have to change your DAC, then E50 is the softest landing.
Still have balanced out, but lose heaphones out.
 
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