Review and Measurements of E1DA 9038S BAL Portable DAC & Amp

[headwhacker]

G2 look will be 100% the same as G1. Regarding the order, probably you can pay right now but we can ship stuff next few days anyway.
9038D is pretty much ready but I try to implement there stealth volume control, and now I try to decide:
a) fast release without volume control
b) late release with volume control
9038D housing extrusion is ordered, and today will pass to the CNC facility and anodize. Side caps punch tolling ordered too, I got samples this morning. I have to prepare new giftbox design and order bunch of 9083D giftbox.

Ok, probably better to wait a little and have the volume control. Planning to get both 9038D and 9038SG2. I don't mind waiting. If you can put the 9038D as pre-order I'll place an order as soon as possible.

 

[vkvedam]

I shall wait for the volume control feature as well, thanks for the updates Ivan

 

[maty]

Until now I only had the temptation of the Sabaj D5 waiting to have a new amplifier (XLR inputs) in my second system capable of taking advantage of the very good specs of RME ADI-2 DAC. But now...

My old customized PC (builded and optimized to play multimedia) only has few USB and more USB-B. I would need: USB-B to mini USB-C. And where?

Yes there is the usual reverse process: USB C to mini USB-B

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Digital-Camera-Player-Devices/dp/B079L5YFJY

Hummm, I would need to build a Y splitter to the amp (only RCA inputs)! Less temptation now. Oh, it is only headphone output. "¡Tierra, trágame!".

Or you can design a new 9038D traditional edition (same box), with the option of H2 at -73 dB.
Hummm, balanced output up to 3.5 volts. Better single-ended at 2 volts (mini jack -> Y splitter to RCA x2). With digital volume control of course. A winner!!!

 

[Lacas]

G2 look will be 100% the same as G1. Regarding the order, probably you can pay right now but we can ship stuff next few days anyway.
9038D is pretty much ready but I try to implement there stealth volume control, and now I try to decide:
a) fast release without volume control
b) late release with volume control
9038D housing extrusion is ordered, and today will pass to the CNC facility and anodize. Side caps punch tolling ordered too, I got samples this morning. I have to prepare new giftbox design and order bunch of 9083D giftbox.

Hi Ivan, is digital volume control feature implemented is 9038S?

 

[IVX]

Just measured 9038D S/N, PC USB 24/192kHz better than -123dbA. I.e. stable 1db better vs 9038S i.e. pretty much the same as my early simulation showed. Home DAC mode 0dbfs the highest harmonic -119.6db i.e. THD close to .0001%. THD+N = .0003% actually APx55 will show lower, probably .00025%, who knows, my AP residual THD+N .00015%, APx555 <.0001%.

 

[vkvedam]

Just measured 9038D S/N, PC USB 24/192kHz better than -123dbA. I.e. stable 1db better vs 9038S i.e. pretty much the same as my early simulation showed. Home DAC mode 0dbfs the highest harmonic -119.6db i.e. THD close to .0001%. THD+N = .0003% actually APx55 will show lower, probably .00025%, who knows, my AP residual THD+N .00015%, APx555 <.0001%.
View attachment 33622

Exciting stuff!

 

[laidick]

Just measured 9038D S/N, PC USB 24/192kHz better than -123dbA. I.e. stable 1db better vs 9038S i.e. pretty much the same as my early simulation showed. Home DAC mode 0dbfs the highest harmonic -119.6db i.e. THD close to .0001%. THD+N = .0003% actually APx55 will show lower, probably .00025%, who knows, my AP residual THD+N .00015%, APx555 <.0001%.
View attachment 33622

I need to order one!

 

[Hemi-Demon]

What exactly is the difference between the "s" and "d" version, color me a tad confused.

 

[Labjr]

What exactly is the difference between the "s" and "d" version, color me a tad confused.

"S" is balanced "D" is single ended.

 

[headwhacker]

@IVX Just placed an order for 9038S Gen 2. Once D is available will place an order as well.

 

[IVX]

yes, my wife makes it possible to order now G2, however, I didn't get the stuff from the SMT facility yet.

 

[headwhacker]

No worries, I'm not on a hurry.

 

[Veri]

yes, my wife makes it possible to order now G2, however, I didn't get the stuff from the SMT facility yet.

overeager wife hope you get G2 components in time

 

[chi2]

@IVX Thanks for the impressive work! Do you have an idea about the cause of the issue with the Samsung S10 (5G)? And do you think that the unbalanced D version will be able to support it?

 

[IVX]

chi2
hmm, never heard about such issue? What about 5G or?

 

[chi2]

Sorry for the mixup. I am experiencing troubles with a Dragonfly Red attached to my Samsung S10 5G and meant to have read about similar issues with the E1Da 9038S. Turns out that this relates to the ibasso DC01 which has a known incompatibility with the S9 and the S10. It's good to know that the E1Da 9038S fully supports the S10/S10 5G. Guess in this case I can't wait for the D version and will pay your aliexpress store a visit .

 

[IVX]

hmm, sorry, I still don't understand. Give me please some details about that issue.

 

[chi2]

Well, this may not be relevant for the E1DA 9038S but here we go. The Audioquest Dragonfly Red doesn‘t work with my Samsung S10 5G. It starts just fine but after 5 seconds crackling noises and distortion set in and increase progressively. This incompatibility with the Samsung S9 and S10 line of phones has been found, too, with the infamous Dragonfly Cobalt and the ibasso DC01. Samsung seems to deny it or at least doesn‘t officially admit any issues. I have just purchased a E1DA 9038S and hope it will work fine with the S10 5G. If not I can still use it with an old iPhone 6s plus.

 

[Jukka]

Nice product, congratulations @IVX !

Any chance of seeing a multichannel version? I'm thinking of desktop usb-dac of 4 channels for 2.2 for stereo subs. Decent dacs with more than 2 channels are either 4k$ or doesn't exists.
Also any possibility to control reconstruction filters or other modes with PC through usb? I'm sure the world is full of competent programmers if there just is a possibility in the device.
Simple dsp/crossover can be integrated or a different device.

PS. Balanced output is a requirement, that's where options are few.

 

[IVX]

Jukka
so far no such plans yet.
chi2
interesting info, thank you. Probably S10 expecting for negotiation about the supplied power to the USB device, and DAC simply doesn't reply.