This is a review and detailed measurements of the Massdrop Grace Design budget DAC. I reviewed it when it first came out but it was with my old audio analyzer so it was requested I measure it again. As it happens, two members kindly sent the SDAC in at the same time! When available the SDAC costs US $70.
The SDAC as minimalistic as you can get:
The back panel follows the same theme:
Micro-USB input and RCA plus 3.5 mm output finish the story. This suits me fine because there is less to test.
DAC Audio Measurements
Let's start with our usual dashboard:
The output is a healthy 2.2 volt which is nice (nominal is 2 volt). What is not so good is the THD+N and hence SINAD (signal over noise and distortion). At an average of 98 dB, while not broken, is not impressive in this day and age:
Third-quartile finish is disappointing. The recently reviewed drop balanced SDAC had a SINAD of 102, allowing it to sneak into second quartile.
Intermodulation distortion shows good behavior but with somewhat higher noise level & distortion than one of our best DACs:
Dynamic range is more than good enough for 16 bit audio playback:
Jitter is very well under control:
Frequency response is likewise ruler flat:
32-tone intermodulation test shows good performance:
We have about 110 dB of distortion free range.
Linearity is just shy of perfect:
THD+N versus frequency shows elevated levels but that is due to a pesky 50 kHz ultrasonic tone which sets the lower limit of THD+N:
Conclusions
The Massdrop Grace Design SDAC is competently designed. The target performance though was set rather low by our standards so it is not something that is too exciting. The Topping D10 does a lot better and has a nice display and S/PDIF output to boot. If for some reason you like to buy the SDAC, that would be fine. I just can't put it on my recommended list anymore.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
The pink panthers are claiming their painted color is a female one and are demanding that they be changed to blue to reflect their sex! I know, it is not a politically correct position for them to take but one learns not to argue with animals with large fangs! Glossy porcelain paint doesn't come cheap so please donate generously using:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
The SDAC as minimalistic as you can get:
Micro-USB input and RCA plus 3.5 mm output finish the story. This suits me fine because there is less to test.
DAC Audio Measurements
Let's start with our usual dashboard:
The output is a healthy 2.2 volt which is nice (nominal is 2 volt). What is not so good is the THD+N and hence SINAD (signal over noise and distortion). At an average of 98 dB, while not broken, is not impressive in this day and age:
Third-quartile finish is disappointing. The recently reviewed drop balanced SDAC had a SINAD of 102, allowing it to sneak into second quartile.
Intermodulation distortion shows good behavior but with somewhat higher noise level & distortion than one of our best DACs:
Dynamic range is more than good enough for 16 bit audio playback:
Jitter is very well under control:
Frequency response is likewise ruler flat:
32-tone intermodulation test shows good performance:
We have about 110 dB of distortion free range.
Linearity is just shy of perfect:
THD+N versus frequency shows elevated levels but that is due to a pesky 50 kHz ultrasonic tone which sets the lower limit of THD+N:
Conclusions
The Massdrop Grace Design SDAC is competently designed. The target performance though was set rather low by our standards so it is not something that is too exciting. The Topping D10 does a lot better and has a nice display and S/PDIF output to boot. If for some reason you like to buy the SDAC, that would be fine. I just can't put it on my recommended list anymore.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
The pink panthers are claiming their painted color is a female one and are demanding that they be changed to blue to reflect their sex! I know, it is not a politically correct position for them to take but one learns not to argue with animals with large fangs! Glossy porcelain paint doesn't come cheap so please donate generously using:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
