LEAF Dac Dual 9038Q2M VS Gustard X16 ! Pictures inside )

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Is this a good dac + headphone amp without changing any OP amp for LCD3 playing hi-res music through Apple Music (iPhone connected through usb camera kit)? Not looking to spend much as I only occasionally listen and I have spent too much on home hifi and car stereo already.
If changing op amp, is OPA627 far superior than 1612/1622? Thanks in advance.

 

[Renato]

With power suply

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002683806639.html

 

[jaatre]

With power suply

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002683806639.html

This is not the same as Dual 9038Q2M version.
Clearly mentions this in the description - DAC Chips: 2*CS43198

 

[Renato]

This is not the same as Dual 9038Q2M version.
Clearly mentions this in the description - DAC Chips: 2*CS43198

Sorry I didn't see this... I found it curious because it was the same "look" and manufacturer, but with a power suply.

 

[jaatre]

Finally got my Leaf Audio DAC and I must say that it is excellent value for the money paid!
Tried with BT and USB inputs and my 90dB efficient speakers need little power from the Aiyima A07 to fill the room

Looking forward to playing around with the filters..

Thank you @daniboun for your recommendation.

 

[ageuqx]

i have a drive i bought but i need the drivers
Can someone send me because I can't download from the baidu site

 

[DTTOM37]

i have a drive i bought but i need the drivers
Can someone send me because I can't download from the baidu site

I think this is the one I dled when I was interested in the DAC in April, perhaps one of the owners can confirm ...

 

[ageuqx]

thanks!!!! 192KHZ USB

 

[jaatre]

i have a drive i bought but i need the drivers
Can someone send me because I can't download from the baidu site

I did not have to download any drivers for it to work with my PC

 

[FilipMac]

Powinno być miło, że chłopak z USA mógł wysłać to do Amira i zostanie to naprawione)
Jaka szkoda , że nie jestem w USA , bo mam też dużo wzmacniacza !

Dzień dobry. Kupiłem ten dac i po podłączeniu do wzmacniacza podając sygnał na wejście optyczne, brak dźwięku, brak połączenia z bluetooth, bo telefon go nie widzi. Czy muszę zrobić coś jeszcze, aby to zadziałało?

 

[ModDIY]

Dzień dobry. Kupiłem ten dac i po podłączeniu do wzmacniacza podając sygnał na wejście optyczne, brak dźwięku, brak połączenia z bluetooth, bo telefon go nie widzi. Czy muszę zrobić coś jeszcze, aby to zadziałało?

For Bluetooth, did you connect the antenna?

 

[DimitrisK]

Hi amigos,

I have updated the 7 OP amps as following :

2 OPA 1656
2 OPA 1612
1 OPA1692
2 OPA1622

Here the test done with my Dual Mono TPA3221 / OPA1652 Amplifier + RCA outputs, BT LDAC mode.
Absolutely dead silence between tracks and works really great as well.

Source : HD Classical volume 2 over BT LDAC / LG30

Video :

https://streamable.com/zu8cw0

How did you place them,

 

[DimitrisK]

How did you place them,

I mean 1656 to xlr? The rest?

 

[alpha_logic]

If you think an X16 competitor is cool, check out this X26 Pro competitor for about a 1/3 of the price:

Nuotech Dual ES9038PRO DAC Full Balanced Support Bluetooth 5.0 with OLED Display Lossless Optical Coaxial Decoder

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002588458790.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.1.21006c2d1njnOG

View attachment 134318

It's had zero buyers/reviews but it's so tempting, I wish someone with more money than me would be a guinea pig

A friend of mine, whose opinion I trust told me to buy this DAC. He had both the Gustard X26 pro, and this one, and he kept the Nuotech. Ho-hum, well - ok, we will see - my Nuotech should arrive sometime next week.

 

[daniboun]

A friend of mine, whose opinion I trust told me to buy this DAC. He had both the Gustard X26 pro, and this one, and he kept the Nuotech. Ho-hum, well - ok, we will see - my Nuotech should arrive sometime next week.

I got the same one but with a dual AK4497 chip. I also own the Gustard A18 and X16. All are sound good )

 

[Forest_d]

Hello. Need help if anyone has the ability to copy XMOS firmware from this DAC.

 

[Kitarist]

Can you make a comparison video between the X16 and this dac?

 

[daniboun]

Can you make a comparison video between the X16 and this dac?

The only video I have :

Hypex Ncore NC252MP + Leaf Dac
Dual Mono TPA3221 + Lead Dac

VID_20210408_210904

Watch "VID_20210408_210904" on Streamable.

streamable.com

VID_20210409_192825

Watch "VID_20210409_192825" on Streamable.

streamable.com

Watch VID_20210413_075535 | Streamable

Watch "VID_20210413_075535" on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[Kitarist]

Yes but could you make a video where you switch between Gustard X16 and this dac so we could hear the difference

 

[daniboun]

I wish I could but I sold it... I have a Gustard AK4499 now