Looking for DAC with USB in, balanced line-out, Coax out and HP amp

[FlyingTeuton]

Hi,

I am looking for a device that can pass through digital signals to digital active monitors like the Neumann KH 120 II (coax and AES only, no optical) and serve as DAC for analog devices like amps, ideally being a HP amp itself. There was the Topping DX7, once. It had it (almost) all:

• good DAC
• good HP amp
• balanced line-out
• single-ended line-out
• optical and coax out
• USB, optical, coax and AES in

Does anyone know something like that? I already have a Lake People G111, so the Topping D10 Balanced would do, except when I need a DAC for amps that only have single-ended inputs. I don’t need AES in/out at the moment, but it would be nice to have that, too.

Something like the DX7 including a 2-channel mic amp with 48V phantom would be awesome, but I don’t think that exists.

Thanks!

 

[staticV3]

RME ADI-2 Pro
FiiO K17
FiiO K19

 

[unpluggged]

including a 2-channel mic amp with 48V phantom would be awesome, but I don’t think that exists.

Why not? See my signature. The best solution is to combine a recording interface like the UCX II with a reference converter such as the ADI-2 Pro. Thus you will have the best of both worlds: a great DSP-based monitoring front-end with both analog and digital outputs and inputs, digital volume control and auto ref level switching, dynamic loudness, SRC, mastering-grade AD/DA conversion, two SOTA headphone amps, and so on, and a great fully-digital audio interface with high-end mic preamps, numerous analog, digital, and MIDI I/O, instrument inputs, and enormously flexible FPGA-based digital mixer with TotalMix FX graphical front-end and the ability to record all input and output channels to a USB drive directly. As a bonus, both devices can work fully standalone, without a computer connected.

 

[Hemi-Demon]

It's a bit over priced, but it basically perfect and RME devices are long term investments

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

More power and 4.4 mm Pentacon, yay! https://www.gearnews.com/superbooth-2022-new-rme-adi-2-4-pro-se-dac-interface-spotted/

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[FlyingTeuton]

Thanks. I actually had forgotten the ADI-2 Pro. On the other hand, I was hoping for something below 500€/USD. The two Fiios are quite pricey, too. I think, in the long run it is going to be those two RME devices. But before I do that investment, I need to finish my speaker experiments.

Alternative take on the situation: Right now, I need the balanced outputs only for the G111. So, if I bought another HP amp, I wouldn’t need the balanced outputs. Let’s forget about optical and single-ended out, and about AES. I have cheap interfaces for mics, those are good enough right now. Is there a good DAC+HP amp with USB in and coax out? I need the device to work with JACK. The Fiio Btr15 does, the Hidizs S9 Pro doesn’t (there’s only static coming out if it with JACK).

 

[Roland68]

Thanks. I actually had forgotten the ADI-2 Pro. On the other hand, I was hoping for something below 500€/USD. The two Fiios are quite pricey, too. I think, in the long run it is going to be those two RME devices. But before I do that investment, I need to finish my speaker experiments.

Alternative take on the situation: Right now, I need the balanced outputs only for the G111. So, if I bought another HP amp, I wouldn’t need the balanced outputs. Let’s forget about optical and single-ended out, and about AES. I have cheap interfaces for mics, those are good enough right now. Is there a good DAC+HP amp with USB in and coax out? I need the device to work with JACK. The Fiio Btr15 does, the Hidizs S9 Pro doesn’t (there’s only static coming out if it with JACK).

Why don't you use the G111's unbalanced RCA input? The balanced input is unbalanced right after the jack anyway.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I can’t find the G111’s manual, but in the MkII’s manual there’s an op amp right after the balanced input. I guess it is better than the unbalanced input in terms of noise/interference, in some situations. Anyway, why not use it? Finding a DAC with balanced out isn’t a problem. Finding one with coax out is. And if the DAC includes a headphone amp, I don’t use the G111, anyway.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

The RMEs do work under Linux nowadays, don’t they?

 

[unpluggged]

The RMEs do work under Linux nowadays, don’t they?

Which ones? The ADI-2 series converters operate only in CC mode, so they work on any Linux that implements UAC 2.0 support. The TotalMix-based interfaces work only if they have a CC mode option, and with certain limitations.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I have been studying the 2/4’s manual a bit. It says the device works with Linux. The PEQ is a bit restricted. Bands 4/5 only go up to Q=5. Amir used Q=7 and Q=8 for the Arya.

But I am really tempted to buy a 2/4 or a ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition. I could even use it to measure other devices. Before spending that much money I’ll have to study their features more, though.

 

[Roland68]

I can’t find the G111’s manual, but in the MkII’s manual there’s an op amp right after the balanced input. I guess it is better than the unbalanced input in terms of noise/interference, in some situations. Anyway, why not use it? Finding a DAC with balanced out isn’t a problem. Finding one with coax out is. And if the DAC includes a headphone amp, I don’t use the G111, anyway.

After the balanced input, there's a dual op-amp that debalances the signal, nothing more. This doesn't add anything or improve anything; it's just technically necessary.
After that, both inputs are treated equally.

I've had many Violectric and Lake People devices on my desk, but never one where there was a difference in sound or quality between the inputs.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I've had many Violectric and Lake People devices on my desk, but never one where there was a difference in sound or quality between the inputs.

Does that include noises coming from the computer hardware? The Focusrite 2i4 2nd Gen is really bad in that regard, especially when the computer’s screen content changes. The 2i4’s balanced outputs are not really balanced, either, as far as I know. But I am not sure whether a real balanced connection would get rid of those noises.

 

[Roland68]

Does that include noises coming from the computer hardware? The Focusrite 2i4 2nd Gen is really bad in that regard, especially when the computer’s screen content changes. The 2i4’s balanced outputs are not really balanced, either, as far as I know. But I am not sure whether a real balanced connection would get rid of those noises.

I've never had such problems with my own devices, but I only use high-quality and dedicated hardware, Macs, Supermicro and HP Business. But things like this can happen there too.
If you have noises that are being transmitted through your mouse, keyboard, graphics card, or monitor, for example, then the Focusrite 2i4 2nd Gen probably isn't the cause. You could try a USB isolator or a galvanically isolated hub. A separate power supply for the 2i4 might also improve the interference. However, after the 2i4, the interference is already in the music signal, so any measures after that fail.

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I don’t hear those noises over headphones on the 2i4. And I don’t hear them over speakers connected to the Teac AI-301DA, when it’s connected via USB.

 

[Roland68]

I don’t hear those noises over headphones on the 2i4. And I don’t hear them over speakers connected to the Teac AI-301DA, when it’s connected via USB.

When and in which device configuration do you hear these noises?

 

[FlyingTeuton]

I had the 2i4 2nd connected to a small computer, which was connected to a TV via HDMI. Two active speakers where connected the 2i4 via XLR. There was a constant hum and hiss, and whenever I moved the mouse there came additional noises.