E1DA #9039S Balanced Portable DAC/Amp Review

[nick_l44.1]

Granted, it's a sample (possibly) cherry picked by Ivan for measurements.

I’d like to say a few words about the differences between these prototypes (yes, I have one too) and the latest production samples.
Of course, the review prototypes were thoroughly tested and selected, but only from a small pool of similar prototypes. Recently, I had the opportunity to compare my prototype with a newly released dongle. And it was quite surprising to hear something new, albeit in a homeopathic dose. It seemed that the low-frequency response had become sharper. It would be logical to assume that high-frequency distortion had decreased, which could very well be the case, since the production dongles feature a larger power supply filter—4,500 μF compared to 3,000 μF in the prototypes. It has also long been known that even the first production units performed slightly better than the prototypes in terms of THD+N. It turned out that not only had the capacitance increased, but the tantalum capacitors had been replaced with solid-polymer ones, and there were other revisions as well. I can’t say for certain that the changes are audible, but overall, the hypothesis was confirmed.
The 9039s, when unloaded, shows a unique THD@10kHz value of about -130 dB. The idea was to check how much this figure degrades under load.
The Notch allows for precise measurement of distortion only at 10 kHz:
Prototype. THD@10kHz@32Ohm = -108.9 dB

Production sample. THD@10kHz@32Ohm = -112.5 dB

The difference is only 3.6 dB, but it’s there. And by 20 kHz, it increases to 5 dB.

All distortion peaks are below -140dB !

It is possible to measure more precisely and further adjust the THD compensation calibration, which can yield peaks even lower than -150 dB:

I use the Topping HS02

I also have a Topping HS02, and I absolutely dislike it: mains hum bleeds through it, and it provides very mediocre power quality. If you encounter issues with power purity, it’s best to measure the power characteristics by connecting a good power bank via a Y-cable.

Can you measure the THD+N at 50mVrms output?

jkim has already measured this. Here are my results:

 

[Matt S]

We don't live that far away... don't you have air conditioning? 34 degrees is crazy—it's even dangerous, man...

Living in a Victorian terrace in London, one or two rooms have been into the 30s frequently during this summer. No air conditioning and almost impossible to get hold of a decent one. Anyway, sorry - don't want to mess the thread!

 

[daniboun]

Living in a Victorian terrace in London, one or two rooms have been into the 30s frequently during this summer. No air conditioning and almost impossible to get hold of a decent one. Anyway, sorry - don't want to mess the thread!

Apart from that, the planet is doing just fine, lol. But seriously, this heatwave is going to do us in! Hang in there, anyway.

 

[Rja4000]

Probably clock difference between source and measuring ADC? Is it synchronous?

It can't really by fully synchronous, since it uses 2 separate drivers on 2 separate USB ports.
That's why we're using some FFT windowing function and a high FFT size here (1M).
But I don't see that with other devices (although it's the first time I use the Windows driver with the APx software).

Archimago shows something similar too...

 

[Rja4000]

Can you measure the THD+N at 50mVrms output?

I'll give it a try.
You may expect somewhere around 89.4dB figure (CCIR-2k) (126.3-36.9).

There is no magic in the 50mV SNR when there is no analog attenuator in the path...

 

[NTTY]

I'll give it a try.
You may expect somewhere around 89.4dB figure (CCIR-2k) (126.3-36.9).

There is no magic in the 50mV SNR when there is no analog attenuator in the path...

Yep, thanks. @nick_l44.1 has already provided me with two exemples at around 90dB

 

[Rja4000]

I just added Dynamic range for 3 usual weightings and SNR at 50mV.

 

[Rja4000]

Excellent! Could be used as a very portable perfect generator. Can you measure the THD+N at 50mVrms output? Just for curiosity.

So I did - now included.
Also note all the tweaking possible to lower THD to incredibly low levels : -150dB THD is possible with tweaking.
(See this post from @nick_l44.1 above)

 

[Ken Tajalli]

How long does the S23 Ultra last with the dongle playing?

I have had the 9039S since it was launched, just after Archi's review. At the time paid $100 for it TWO years ago.
- Is it worth it? YES 100%.
peerless at what it does.
- How long does a phone last with it playing?
Depends on average loudness, headphone impedance (i.e. average power delivery). With my Sennheiser iems (IE 400 Pro @ 16 ohms) listening pretty loudly on my Huawei Mate 40 pro, I loose about 25% battery life after good few hours of listening on the plane.
So very reasonable. If battery runs low, I attach my magsafe powerbank.
Recently, at London CamJam (I took a DIY converter) It powered anything I threw at it with plenty of volume. The only exception was Audeze LCD 5s, where it would'nt go loud enough. The rest of Audeze range, a doddle.
Dan Clark range, pretty loud perhaps not head banging levels.
I tried at least ten other dongles before this, this was the one.
- The ONLY downside?
2.5mm balanced only!
I had to solder new jacks or make new cables for my iems & headphones. otherwise flawless.

 

[Rja4000]

I have had the 9039S since it was launched, just after Archi's review. At the time paid $100 for it TWO years ago.
- Is it worth it? YES 100%.
peerless at what it does.
- How long does a phone last with it playing?
Depends on average loudness, headphone impedance (i.e. average power delivery). With my Sennheiser iems (IE 400 Pro @ 16 ohms) listening pretty loudly on my Huawei Mate 40 pro, I loose about 25% battery life after good few hours of listening on the plane.
So very reasonable. If battery runs low, I attach my magsafe powerbank.
Recently, at London CamJam (I took a DIY converter) It powered anything I threw at it with plenty of volume. The only exception was Audeze LCD 5s, where it would'nt go loud enough. The rest of Audeze range, a doddle.
Dan Clark range, pretty loud perhaps not head banging levels.
I tried at least ten other dongles before this, this was the one.
- The ONLY downside?
2.5mm balanced only!
I had to solder new jacks or make new cables for my iems & headphones. otherwise flawless.

I have the same (if less extensive) experience.

 

[vornez]

I reckon the Aiyima H3 performs just as well as the e1da 9039

 

[Hifihedgehog]

If you don't mind the wires, this plus the E3/Stealth/Noire X for commutes/travel

View attachment 548111 View attachment 548112

If only it had crossfeed on it and then it would be perfect for me. Such exceptional performance! Bravo!

 

[staticV3]

If only it had crossfeed on it and then it would be perfect for me. Such exceptional performance! Bravo!

Add a HiBy DAP for Stereo convolution: https://www.myhrtf.com/hiby.html

 

[Hifihedgehog]

Add a HiBy DAP for Stereo convolution: https://www.myhrtf.com/hiby.html

That's cool and thanks for sharing! For me, I try to simplify and have a single device solution if possible. The Neutron HiFi DAC V1 approach is more along the lines of what I'd want. Maybe a Neutron-E1DA collab could someday be something if @IVX and @neutroncode were open to it.

 

[IVX]

I reckon the Aiyima H3 performs just as well as the e1da 9039

Right, just 10x times more distortions

 

[Ken Tajalli]

Add a HiBy DAP for Stereo convolution: https://www.myhrtf.com/hiby.html

Absolutely! it will work. However, in my opinion, a major point of a DONGLE is its size & weight. i.e. not carrying a second box (/bulk). If one was to carry a DAP, what's the need for a dongle? just get a better DAP.

If only it had crossfeed on it and then it would be perfect for me. Such exceptional performance! Bravo!

Install a copy of Neutron media player on your phone, Bob's your uncle! (not really )
Neutron has crossfeed, PEQ, limiter .... the whole shebang & works on any sample rate.
When you want to listen to music, connect your dongle, simple.
)? Because learning Neutron can be difficult, but rewarding. If Neutron had native Streaming services such Spotify etc. it would have been the only player one would need)

 

[tccalvin]

I reckon the Aiyima H3 performs just as well as the e1da 9039

Probably not exactly the same, but functionally the same...

Right, just 10x times more distortions

Written that way it sounds terrible, but we're still talking >120dB SINAD so not too bad...

Just out of curiosity, what was the reason behind the choice of a minimum phase filter? Was it a concern for latency?

 

[torgeirs]

Probably not exactly the same, but functionally the same...

USB in, sound out, I agree, but else engeneering vise they are totally different.
The powersupply and composite output amp is actually state of the art on the e1da

 

[Rja4000]

>120dB SINAD

Where did you get that figure from ?
It's rather around 105dB (@100mW, 32 ohm), as per Aiyima's own specs (H4).

 

[Ruediger]

I have the same (if less extensive) experience.

Can you share your experience about the temperature of the E1DA 9039S in general when in use for some time?

Is it handwarm, above that or would you say it's getting hot?

I've seen some comments with cooling suggestions. Out of proportion with CPU coolers and such, just people modding around. But how is it in reality?