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Review and Measurements of Weiliang Audio 2019 DC300 DAC

WolfX-700

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Previously I saw someone in this thread @Kane1972 requesting a measurement of Weiliang Audio 2019 DC300 DAC.The device is easy to purchase in China and is guaranteed an unconditional refund. So I ordered one from Taobao for measurement.


The manufacturer is known in China for selling many "cheap and seemingly adequate" equipment. But in my experience, many of their circuit designs have serious problems. Especially the lack of basic design capabilities for digital circuits, which is why I only buy equipment with unconditional money back guarantees.

As we all know, 9038Pro is an excellent DAC chip. Many DACs based on it have excellent performance-most of the highest DACs on the ASR DAC SINAD chart are based on 9038Pro

Rome wasn't built in a day, but it sure burned in one


Let's see how they waste these two 9038Pro DAC chips (yes, the measurement results are very terrible)
Photos.jpg



Audio measurement



I took several measurements to confirm that what I saw was true. I tried to replace the cable / reconfirm the ground. The end result has not changed. You will see the measurement results under the XLR connection. The noise floor of RCA made me even more shocked.

WL9038.png


This is the FFT result of the noise floor of the RCA
Noise-Floor-FFT--BW_1M-FFT_1.jpg



来自RCA的动态范围测量:
RCA-Dynamic-Range---AES17.jpg


This is the result of feeling lost and even angry. I mean, what should they do? How do they launch this junk product and sell it publicly? Shouldn't they be ashamed of it?

Regardless, the remaining measurements are as follows:

Relative-Level-(1.jpg



SMPTE-Ratio.jpg


THD+N-Ratio-FREQ.jpg


Multitone.jpg


The process of taking these measurements made me uncomfortable.

My advice: Never consider buying a DAC from this manufacturer. They will turn the best DAC chips into terrible products.

There are many excellent manufacturers from China, such as Gustard TOPPING SMSL, etc., but this manufacturer is not included
 
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amirm

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Now you are starting to talk like me. :) Having measured a few of these things the lesson is clear: do NOT shop on basis of parts used in DACs. The best DAC chip can be ruined with poor implementation. Take the cleanest, most pure water and serve it in a dirty glass and you have dirty water.

Promoted to home page.
 

Veri

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I think it's awesome we now have a China-native owner of an AP analyser. Will make it easier to get measurements from new releases and suspect machines like this weiliang one. Thanks for the review @WolfX-700 and congrats on another front-page ptomotion! :D

Quick anecdote. I considered buying a Weiliang Audio E600 and sending one to Amir, but had it send it to myself instead since it's a very heavy weighing amp and shipping was already quite costly. This thing had so many defects.. :( SE in > BAL out didn't work. BAL in BAL out sounded very weird, almost like it was not only out of phase but totally butched up as well. Only SE out sounded acceptable, but even then not that good. Probably the worst waste of money I've spent on audio.
 

Noob

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I think it's awesome we now have a China-native owner of an AP analyser. Will make it easier to get measurements from new releases and suspect machines like this weiliang one. Thanks for the review @WolfX-700 and congrats on another front-page ptomotion! :D

Quick anecdote. I considered buying a Weiliang Audio E600 and sending one to Amir, but had it send it to myself instead since it's a very heavy weighing amp and shipping was already quite costly. This thing had so many defects.. :( SE in > BAL out didn't work. BAL in BAL out sounded very weird, almost like it was not only out of phase but totally butched up as well. Only SE out sounded acceptable, but even then not that good. Probably the worst waste of money I've spent on audio.
Seems like this company is out to scam people if issues are common among the product line.
 

restorer-john

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Any internal/tear-down photos?

Some here on this listing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-Hiend-Remote-Dual-ES9038PRO-HIFI-DAC-with-OLED-display-LME49710-opamp/123890802498?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item1cd8779f42:g:uOcAAOSwvLJdZ81z&enc=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&checksum=1238908024988e6200ec55764e288991cc985c9ac55f&enc=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&checksum=1238908024988e6200ec55764e288991cc985c9ac55f

Perhaps someone can comment on the placement of the 100MHz master clock...
 
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raif71

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I hope this measurement info can be communicated to the manufacturer for future improvements. Thank you @WolfX-700
 

pkane

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Some here on this listing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-Hiend-Remote-Dual-ES9038PRO-HIFI-DAC-with-OLED-display-LME49710-opamp/123890802498?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item1cd8779f42:g:uOcAAOSwvLJdZ81z&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw+Vj6nta7CKEs3N0qUVbQA1ErpvOzP2K+s48oELYbUVGmR73yFic7rQuAp2hO6rMZ+hSrLCgj12AC5iyB2X28pPZGp+XpOqRr5CtWbw0jqz3kq2I0ct3bCKxmt08VPCVkkchT1BieW3iBaaCsUrUzqzzsN53JlBKyWJa9RMC4TQcigcV/Q94fQf2cW5NowIJiYyw7e35YvKhhnfhimNCcyx4bNSzZsxCBpXEeEE5O8wgtdXXgAXCrqKaNzeoLhbM2IUPfsh8GhtOscVrR2DB1xIs+N138wdXqWPL53AuQuAdEYGyQw4b1LWqgbeSUiCvRykGo+3AYz/ajvWtcBv8VVwh10JEzYI6duHqVz2EGf/uAwZ4VZArfcc139rgoEsv/mQFE1N+vMFGrcPhgE7/m+NVQt1aWAYnsJWVla79f0cM7cZwjwaGSXog7E/cnwStChdbSzrYYL16EUY4aVNRspdshOPUbB+8o8BLbE7oUnW4VMu8etxossMR84qd1GM7VKsxE62bNlatm/XTaUtd/y+iHzlpdpEqvTi+1/CFQJ6XEN9jIge6V9UB0sOkyl2jG2UZe3rfsUGUf7MHYkkbCs2eDvL+nePjEHQCfm4cz/wETR6TrwPwnrBDFDDTDX2SUoPx0GqTTrLq0QT72raBUSZtOpgeekpWVmepd9Fp/QEYuJyw14BX39vDimnBCcC3g/DOtLKtaFgGd04+DCD9HFxvWLDUY5bxaldY8KhpULD1IRqYfuwRT7PaaR52w==&checksum=1238908024988e6200ec55764e288991cc985c9ac55f&enc=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&checksum=1238908024988e6200ec55764e288991cc985c9ac55f

Perhaps someone can comment on the placement of the 100MHz master clock...

Next to the power supply seems like the worst location for the clock.

The good news is the opamps are socketed, so all it needs is just some better ones! ;)
 

restorer-john

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Sadly, it appears to be a product where aesthetics and component quality have taken priority over good engineering and layout.

It could be excellent, but it needs a complete clean-slate redesign. A pity because the poor punter pays for all those quality components and gets a sch#tt result.
 

MWeston

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Wow, I've seen this thing on Ebay and thought it looked interesting because it has a pretty clean layout. Boy, would I have been wrong! How can you screw up a design that badly while using, what looks like, very high quality parts!

Having said that, I designed and built my own DAC/HP amp years ago and now I would be tempted to send it to Amir in order to make sure I can back up my own claims! Ha ha!
 

Killingbeans

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Some here on this listing:

If you do an eBay search for 'Dual ES9038PRO' you get lots of no-name listings for the main PCB in this thing. I would not be surprised if the the only "engineering" Weiliang Audio has done is to engrave their name on the enclosure and swap the op-amps.

I could be wrong though.
 
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Mnyb

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Examples like this are why we need measurements.

+ 1
A laundry list of well regarded and “audiophile cred” components and buzzwords and attractive looking design is what you need to attract punters . Look at audio GD for another example of superficial ( to the layperson) audiophile look and feel , but terrible performance.

The manufacturer should verify his design , by investing time in proper measurement during the whole development phase . An AP or similar and the time taken during the development phase is the cost of admission to be an audio manufacturer of commercial products.
 

Killingbeans

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How can you screw up a design that badly while using, what looks like, very high quality parts!

It's easy. Like Amir pointed out above; Good components are nothing without good implementation verified by measurements :D
 

Matias

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@WolfX-700 can you test a current top measuring AudioGd DAC to see if they got better? I think they would lend you one for independent testing.
 
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WolfX-700

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digicidal

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If only they would have spent as much time and effort into the DACs implementation as they did on the case and display/UI. :( I could still see some room for improvement to the screen... but it's better IMO than many SMSL devices... where tiny fonts and/or simple segment displays are common. However, at the same time it's clear that SMSL has their priorities straight... go cheaper on the case and display... and make it work as good as possible.

That's why I ultimately went with the Topping DX7 Pro for my new desktop DAC... very nice in casework, display, and most importantly implementation of this chip. Sure it was $20-40 more (on sale at $515) but with these problems... it would be well worth it at twice the price of this DAC!
 
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WolfX-700

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Wow, I've seen this thing on Ebay and thought it looked interesting because it has a pretty clean layout. Boy, would I have been wrong! How can you screw up a design that badly while using, what looks like, very high quality parts!

Having said that, I designed and built my own DAC/HP amp years ago and now I would be tempted to send it to Amir in order to make sure I can back up my own claims! Ha ha!

In fact, in my opinion, the design of this PCB has many obvious problems. The power part is too simple, and it is too far away from 9038 and lacks decoupling. It is too close to an analog channel (which is the problematic one). The quality of the oscillator is very bad and the 9038Pro relies heavily on high-quality oscillators to work. In analog circuits, X7R capacitors should be avoided. Etc.
 

bunkbail

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I thought it would be difficult to borrow directly from Audio-GD to take measurements, I will try.
If you somehow managed to persuade them to send a unit to you, you should ask for the AS-1 DAC. It is supposed to be a dig on ASR (AS = Audio Science). Let us see if Kingwa can actually engineer good stuffs or it was all talk.

PS: I don't think he ever managed to sell even 1 unit of that model, according to this page. You can use wayback machine to see past records as well.
 
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