Review and Measurements of WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC

[OldStager]

So I ordered the Khadas Tone Board from Amazon, but it's apparently Khadas themselves cause it doesn't say WesionTEK anywhere. Also, it's not this VIMs Edition Amir uses in the review above, but the Generic Edition. Despite these two facts, will it still measure as well? Amazon link

 

[yavormoskov]

So I ordered the Khadas Tone Board from Amazon, but it's apparently Khadas themselves cause it doesn't say WesionTEK anywhere. Also, it's not this VIMs Edition Amir uses in the review above, but the Generic Edition. Despite these two facts, will it still measure as well? Amazon link

This is the right version for a standalone DAC. Generic is just a poor choice of a name. I installed mine in a small aluminum case. As I write this I listen to Shallow by Lady Gaga using Khadas and JDS labs Atom and I am in heaven

 

[BYRTT]

...the Generic Edition...
....will it still measure as well?...

They use exactly the same PCB layout, same firmware, and same drivers, so feel safe ordering the Generic version

Look below the only difference is the two terminals are soldered ab fabric, one on top the other under the PCB, and also ASR had measured another KTB (OEM) that probably is the Generic version from MARCH audio called dac1, that measurement is little bit better probably because it sits in a well designed metal box, here is link for dac1 measurement https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ew-and-measurements-of-march-audio-dac1.5755/

 

[OldStager]

They use exactly the same PCB layout, same firmware, and same drivers, so feel safe ordering the Generic version

Look below the only difference is the two terminals are soldered ab fabric, one on top the other under the PCB, and also ASR had measured another KTB (OEM) that probably is the Generic version from MARCH audio called dac1, that measurement is little bit better probably because it sits in a well designed metal box, here is link for dac1 measurement https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ew-and-measurements-of-march-audio-dac1.5755/

View attachment 36926

Thank you very much for your reply! That is very reassuring, nice:

One more thing I was wondering about...in the main review-post of this thread, with all the graphs and impressions from Amir, I couldn't find a certain measurement that I found by coincidence in other reviews such as the DX7s, as seen in the attachment.

Since those reviews are not about the KTB, but rather use it as reference, he does not talk much about the KTB curve. What does it mean in case of the KTB? Thanks again!

 

[BYRTT]

Thank you very much for your reply! That is very reassuring, nice:

One more thing I was wondering about...in the main review-post of this thread, with all the graphs and impressions from Amir, I couldn't find a certain measurement that I found by coincidence in other reviews such as the DX7s, as seen in the attachment.

Since those reviews are not about the KTB, but rather use it as reference, he does not talk much about the KTB curve. What does it mean in case of the KTB? Thanks again!

Welcome

Curve in your attachment is recommended should stay below -85dB or 0,05% to be transperent, see this ASR thread (link) that have guides how to be bit wiser on many of the varius graphs, schroll down a bit to find the THD+N vs frequency plots, link: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-thresholds-of-amp-and-dac-measurements.5734/

That KTB has a rise in you attachment at high frequency should probably not mean so much if we look up our hearing system in the equal loudness ISO 226-2003 curves below.

 

[Voron]

Hello! I порекkhadesвали to buy khadas! I want to use it for the Denon dcd 800ne cd player! tell me what version I buy VIM or Generic? and will I be able to connect denon and khades over s/pdif? thanks for the advice!

 

[milw50717]

The S/PDIF coaxial digital output on the Denon can be connected to the S/PDIF input of the Khadas Tone Board. The generic version of the KTB will work for your needs.

 

[zermak]

@BYRTT you missed a zero 0,005% ~86dB

 

[Voron]

Thanks for the answer! Another question how to choose the right s/pdif coaxial cable? what should I take?

 

[DRevolution]

Here is an installation of my new KTB in the Little Bear open enclosure

 

[BYRTT]

@Voron,

Also remember you need a 5 volts PSU 500mA or more to feed KTB some DC power, either use a USB C plug for power or if i remember correct use pin 1 (+) and pin 21 (-) on the 40 pin terminal on PCB, datasheets plus schematics can be downloaded from KTB website.

If you location is within EU then can recommend get it from Audiophonics in France because they also have a nice screened (metal) box that suits KTB

 

[milw50717]

Thanks for the answer! Another question how to choose the right s/pdif coaxial cable? what should I take?

Nothing exotic or expensive is required, just choose a 75 ohm cable with decent RCA plugs that is not too much longer than you require. I am not sure where you are located, but I use a monoprice cable with my KTB

 

[OldStager]

Welcome

Curve in your attachment is recommended should stay below -85dB or 0,05% to be transperent, see this ASR thread (link) that have guides how to be bit wiser on many of the varius graphs, schroll down a bit to find the THD+N vs frequency plots, link: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-thresholds-of-amp-and-dac-measurements.5734/

That KTB has a rise in you attachment at high frequency should probably not mean so much if we look up our hearing system in the equal loudness ISO 226-2003 curves below.

View attachment 37233

Thanks a lot for clarifying on that, I get it

Although I wonder now...maybe I made a mistake. My plan was to send the signal from the KTB to my JDS Labs Atom and feed the KTB with USB Data...however if I have to power the KTB via the USB Port, guess I can't use that for audio anymore, right?

 

[zermak]

Thanks a lot for clarifying on that, I get it

Although I wonder now...maybe I made a mistake. My plan was to send the signal from the KTB to my JDS Labs Atom and feed the KTB with USB Data...however if I have to power the KTB via the USB Port, guess I can't use that for audio anymore, right?

The USB cable will provide the data and the power to the Khadas Tone Board if you connect it to a soruce (PC or similar device).
Only if you want to use the SPDIF input of KTB then you have to provide the power using the USB cable.

 

[raif71]

Thanks a lot for clarifying on that, I get it

Although I wonder now...maybe I made a mistake. My plan was to send the signal from the KTB to my JDS Labs Atom and feed the KTB with USB Data...however if I have to power the KTB via the USB Port, guess I can't use that for audio anymore, right?

If you want to feed the KTB with usb data such as usb audio from a phone or a DAP, you can use a otg y-splitter cable with power like https://www.amazon.com/AuviPal-Micr...eywords=USB+OTG+Y-cable&qid=1572441887&sr=8-3 . This will let you connect the KTB using the type a female, while the micro-usb female will charge the unit and the micro-usb male will connect to a DAP or phone

 

[Voron]

Здравствуйте! Как вы думаете, этот линейный блок питания подойдет? или ты предопределил что-то еще?
1 841,07 руб. | WEILIANG Аудио 15 Вт линейный стабилизированный блок питания на выходе USB * 2 + DC 5V
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bGO2sEpM

 

[OldStager]

@zermak : Thank you, this was what I hoped for when ordering the KTB

@raif71 : isn't it like zermak said, that the source itself will power the KTB?

 

[raif71]

@zermak : Thank you, this was what I hoped for when ordering the KTB

@raif71 : isn't it like zermak said, that the source itself will power the KTB?

A bit different. Zermak was mentioning the source is a PC... a PC will power and at the same time provide data but a phone/DAP might not have enough power or the capability to power the KTB which requires the cable I described. The cable get power from another usb source which can be a power bank.

 

[OldStager]

A bit different. Zermak was mentioning the source is a PC... a PC will power and at the same time provide data but a phone/DAP might not have enough power or the capability to power the KTB which requires the cable I described. The cable get power from another usb source which can be a power bank.

I see...I was planning to use my phone as s source for starters (when chilling on a sofa with the KTB and Atom being integrated in my sofa-table)

So I guess I might need an adapter like you showed me just now. But won't a Y-adapter like that influence the sound quality of the whole chain, or does that not matter?

 

[raif71]

I see...I was planning to use my phone as s source for starters (when chilling on a sofa with the KTB and Atom being integrated in my sofa-table)

So I guess I might need an adapter like you showed me just now. But won't a Y-adapter like that influence the sound quality of the whole chain, or does that not matter?

I don't think it matters