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Change Dac
- Thread starter zag55
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Not if the mdac has all the connections and functions you want or need.
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
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
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
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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.
Audiolab M-DAC measurements part 1 – base performance - nihtila.com
I bought a second hand M-DAC a while ago to have a well-known commercial reference in terms of measurements and sound. After teardown it is time for measurements. This first part consists of basic performance measurements. I chose M-DAC as my reference for several reasons. First of all, it has...
nihtila.com
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?
www.audiosciencereview.com
www.audiosciencereview.com
Topping E30 DAC Review
This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping E30 USB DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for testing. Unfortunately I did not get pricing information. As soon as I get it, I will post it. EDIT: just heard back. US cost is just $129.99! This is a bit of a new look...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Topping E50 Review (Balanced DAC)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the new Topping E50 balanced USB DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $269. I just reviewed its companion headphone amplifier, the Topping L50. The E50 takes my favorite orange LED display and makes it even nicer! It is a gorgeous...
www.audiosciencereview.com
What are you expecting to gain by changing dacs?
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.
restorer-john
Grand Contributor
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.
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.
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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).
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).
fritobugger
Member
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.
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 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.
However, feelings don't tell you anything about the actual sound quality. Nor about what anyone else comparing the same devices might feel.
fritobugger
Member
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.
JSmith
Master Contributor
... and I feel like there is a teapot orbiting the Sun somewhere in space between the Earth and Mars, I swear.
Compared without peeking and level matched?
JSmith
