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Idle noise is 0.55uV A-weight. To disable DAC noise gate, normally I just pause my media player.
If that doesn't work, will playback 24kHz tone with amplitude of -80dBFS to -100dBFS.
I'm still puzzled why the thd+n results does not tally with CS43131 datasheet (page 14).
That's great, thanks very much, totally makes sense. I also saw there is a volume setting in the usb audio pro about volume and either hardware, software or none but I'm not sure what it really does. Hardware is the setting you should use. This is what allows UAPP (amongst others) to use 1V...
There have been other CS based units measured on ASR and most show much better results than the data sheet. Apart from that we don't know what output driver Fosi used in the DS2. To measure noise you could also use a -140 dBFS 1 kHz sine. It might be visible in the FFT, but not in the total noise value. Using dither noise (like AP does) will not be visible in an analog output signal, it's much lower than the noise from the DAC.
No, the constant dropouts and weird fade-ins (on Windows). If you don't use Windows then don't worry about it, but (this is according to Gemini): "As of October 2024, Windows is still the most popular desktop operating system worldwide, holding a market share of approximately 73%. This means that around three-quarters of desktop computers and laptops use Windows."
As I said earlier, who on earth releases a USB DAC without making sure it works properly with Windows?! As we all privately know, you can't actually hear these amazing SNR ratios and ultra-low distortion figures, but you can hear dropouts and irritating fade-ins with strange panning effects!
Yes it's cheap but if it doesn't work properly then it isn't really worth anything.
OK, I just registered to make a suggestion to those who are still suffering from the fade-in/panning thing in windows.
Firstly, I haven't encountered anything like that. The DS2 just plugged and played everything (DIFF and DSD) for me once I had my EqualizerAPO, VST plugins and Foobar2000 configured.
That said, the DSD manual they provide is not a guide, it's a horror novel. For the love of Muse, try this instead:
1. Install the BravoHD software package they provided in that guide, reboot the PC;
2. Download foo_out_asio+dsd.fb2k-component and foo_input_sacd.fb2k-component;
3. Install these two plugins in Foobar2000, restart it and go to Preferences > Tools > SACD, change the type to DSD;
4. In Preferences > Playback > Output, select BRAVO-HD as the device.
That's it, do not install the ASIOProxy under any circumstances. Hopefully this will solve your problems, if not you should consider an RMA.
BTW, I'm trying to volume matching it, but cannot find any useful information. Does anyone know how many db per each click of its volume button? And what's its lowest volume (I was assuming 91db)? Thanks in advance for any input!
I was experiencing dropouts with DSD but installing the proper driver fixed the issue. I sometimes hear the panning issue for a split second if the music is paused and restarted but doesn't really bother me.
Far as I'm concerned, this little thing is a great value. It performs better than DACs costing thousands, ten years ago.
Didn't make any difference for me. Assuming it's the right driver - I'm seeing SaviAudio Version 6.0.6001.0?
I'm not liking this thing at all, it's just a pain in the arse. It excels at all the things you can't hear and falls flat on its face with the things you can!
Hmm, I'm not sure I can be bothered with it anymore, it's just wasting time and annoying me! It obviously wasn't tested properly before being put into production.
What's the top recommendation these days for a USB DAC/headphone amp then - up to say £150? I don't keep up with things anymore. I'd like the Fosi size and form factor but obviously a product that works properly. It'd be handy if it had enough grunt for HD650s, although my most used cans at the moment are Neumann NDH20s, which don't require a huge amount of power. I'd prefer something that's easy to buy through Amazon but I'm open to suggestions.
I guess you need your own Topic for recommendations .
When Windows is your main OS I wouldn't use something mobile.
Maybe an audiointerface like the Topping E2x2 or Motu M2
Hmm, I'm not sure I can be bothered with it anymore, it's just wasting time and annoying me! It obviously wasn't tested properly before being put into production.
What's the top recommendation these days for a USB DAC/headphone amp then - up to say £150? I don't keep up with things anymore. I'd like the Fosi size and form factor but obviously a product that works properly. It'd be handy if it had enough grunt for HD650s, although my most used cans at the moment are Neumann NDH20s, which don't require a huge amount of power. I'd prefer something that's easy to buy through Amazon but I'm open to suggestions.
It is not a matter of proper testing before releasing, since it's not the only dongle behaving like this. As reported previously, Tempotec Sonata BHD (non Pro) with identical design is the same, not only in Windows but in Linux too, and probably many others, so we can think of it as "intended" behavior. Only thing I know is that both use Savitech usb bridge, so maybe it's something in the default configuration of that chip that manufacturers don't bother to change, probably a power saving function useful with smartphone. Since it's not fully clear, if this is unberaable to you the only advice is to stay away from unit using Savitech bridge and try some using Comtrue bridge (like Moondrop Dawn Pro, Tanchjim Space or Tanchjim Luna if you need more power) or other different solutions (like Sonata BHD Pro, Neutron V1, Hiiby FC3, ecc...), possibly asking first in their dedicated review topics here.
It is not a matter of proper testing before releasing, since it's not the only dongle behaving like this. As reported previously, Tempotec Sonata BHD (non Pro) with identical design is the same, not only in Windows but in Linux too, and probably many others, so we can think of it as "intended" behavior. Only thing I know is that both use Savitech usb bridge, so maybe it's something in the default configuration of that chip that manufacturers don't bother to change, probably a power saving function useful with smartphone. Since it's not fully clear, if this is unberaable to you the only advice is to stay away from unit using Savitech bridge and try some using Comtrue bridge (like Moondrop Dawn Pro, Tanchjim Space or Tanchjim Luna if you need more power) or other different solutions (like Sonata BHD Pro, Neutron V1, Hiiby FC3, ecc...), possibly asking first in their dedicated review topics here.
Yes, I said earlier I have a nasty feeling that that fade in effect is a design choice! Although the dropouts are clearly a bug. I know I'm being very critical of what is a cheap DAC but honestly I've got 10 year old USB DACs that work flawlessly. I've had all sorts over the years and they've all basically worked properly and without having to mess around.
I've just been reading Amir's review of the TANCHJIM Luna, that'd be fine. I've got a couple of high end desktop DACs already and my trusty old Arcam rPAC, I was looking for something smaller and lighter though that doesn't take up much room in my laptop bag.
It is not a matter of proper testing before releasing, since it's not the only dongle behaving like this. As reported previously, Tempotec Sonata BHD (non Pro) with identical design is the same, not only in Windows but in Linux too, and probably many others, so we can think of it as "intended" behavior. Only thing I know is that both use Savitech usb bridge, so maybe it's something in the default configuration of that chip that manufacturers don't bother to change, probably a power saving function useful with smartphone. Since it's not fully clear, if this is unberaable to you the only advice is to stay away from unit using Savitech bridge and try some using Comtrue bridge (like Moondrop Dawn Pro, Tanchjim Space or Tanchjim Luna if you need more power) or other different solutions (like Sonata BHD Pro, Neutron V1, Hiiby FC3, ecc...), possibly asking first in their dedicated review topics here.
Hi there. I have been using the Sonata BHD (non Pro) on Windows 10, for at least 3 months. It was Amir's review of the Sonata BHD Pro which led me to buy the non pro version, cos when I checked all the measurement specs published by the manufacturer Tempotec, they were 100% identical between these two devices.
The Pro version has a more sophisticated user interface and looks sleek, but the non Pro version has the same dual CS Dacs, single ended 3.5mm and balance 4.4mm headphone outputs.
Quick recap of my experience with the Sonata BHD.
Stereo Balance Issue - This is the main issue I have had.
The only issue I have faced has been the need to occasionally detach and reattach the USB C to USB C cable, which I use to connect to my Windows computer, to resolve a strange imbalance in the stereo field, that appears to creep in over time, e.g after several hours of use. I am basing this observation on my own hearing/perception, not having measured the output with any tools. I have no clue if this is a fault with my own specimen of this device, or a general fault with the dongle model, cos I own only one example of it. It may be also an imbalance in my listening devices, or my own hearing. In truth I suspect that I do have a hearing imbalance, cos this seems to be consistent across IEMs and headphones, but I have not had my ears tested, to fully confirm if its just a volume balance or a frequency response difference in my hearing between left and right, or a combination of both aspects of hearing anomalies - frequency response and volume. It could be that my IEM - the Artti T10 also has a stereo imbalance, so really hard unless one measures, to know what's causing the imbalance in stereo - my ears, IEM, or DAC/Headphone dongle. or a bit from all of them !!
In software, I adjust the balance of volume to compensate for the imbalance I am hearing. I recalibrate this about once or twice a day, cos sometimes the insertion depth of the Artti T10 IEM, seems to alter this balance, and the T10 has some kind of dual port that "pops" occasionally, also changing the stereo balance possibly.
I wonder if the dual DAC CS43131 in the Sonata BHD is a possible cause of the stereo imbalance! who knows. One of these days, I'll spare some cash to invest in a single CS43131 DAC, and see. The audible audo quality should be identical, between a single and dual CS43131 DAC, even though I can expect that the dual CS43131 based DAC will measure better
Otherwise the Sonata BHD has been sterling. Ultra reliable, with a playback quality that I would declare to be my reference, head and shoulders above the Apple USB-C Dongle DAC- North America version with the 1 v max output. Definitely far better than the on-board DAC/headphone output, on my Dell laptop. Paired with an Artti T10 IEM, this combination of the Sonata BHD, has been spectacular. Resolving exceptional detail from uncompressed audio files, and streaming from Youtube and Spotify - which are not the best quality sources, yet the Sonata BHD and Artti T10 are really really great.
I have NOT experienced any drop outs whatsoever on any audio sources, moving from track to track, across various audio sources. I cannot comment on DSD audio sources, cos I have non, and do not listen to such high fidelity material. I don't think the kind of artists I listen to regularly, release any of their music in any format higher than CD-Quality. With that exception, which I do NOT listen to, everything I hear sounds extremely well presented, with not a glitch.
The only time I have ever heard any thing spurious is when I initially plug in the USB-C cable into the laptop, or when I do this on my Android phone. I hear a momentary static noise occasionally in the IEM's, at the point of insertion. Otherwise the Sonata BHD is completely and totally silent, until audio is played through it.
I thought it good to mention, cos you referred to this Sonata device, as one of those with audio anomalies similar to the Fosi D2, but I have had no such experience of any audio glitches.
If there be any other concern, it would be the stability of the provided ASIO driver, which I no longer use, cos every few days it would occasionally crash my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) which I use for audio mixing. - Reaper. I now consistently use the Sonata BHD in WASAPI Exclusive Mode, and the laptop runs reliably for several weeks, and through being put into sleep mode several times a day, and with WASAPI, crashes of the DAW are very rare.
In comparison, I have had even better stability with EMU devices running ASIO, such as the EMU 0404 USB, which would run for months with not a single crash., but these are more prosumer/professional DAC's which also cost more than the Sonata HD, when I acquired them years ago., so not surprised about this.
My point being the CS 43131 implementation, if faulty, should be a manufacturer/design issue. So whatever is the issue with the Fosi D2 Dac, is not likely to be inherent in the DAC itself, but how Fosi has implemented their DAC, and maybe also their drivers.
