Sabaj A10d 2022 Version Review (DAC & Amp)

[BHazard]

The A20d 2020 might be the crème de la crème of what a ES9038Pro can do paired with a good headphone amplifier, and at 377$ on 10% sales it's a bargain.
The competition is getting tighter, attention to detail is what will put one company over the other, things like more DAC features controllable in the UI, nice looking and user friendly UI, accurate Manual, firmware updates, longevity of support.
We shall see.

I love mine. Replaced my Gustard X16 with it.
Works as well or better for a much lower price, with an amp included.

 

[098765]

lovely amp

 

[peterwen]

Summer sale begin now

Hifi-express Official Store | Audio DAC & AMP | SMSL

Sells SMSL Sabaj Loxjie Audiophile DAC, Amplifier, and Digital Player to Junior Audiophile, with free shipping and tax, including several warehouses around the world and shipping from the EU.

hifi-express.com

Nothing lasts forever—shop our sale before it’s over.

 

[Disco]

The A20d 2020 might be the crème de la crème of what a ES9038Pro can do paired with a good headphone amplifier, and at 377$ on 10% sales it's a bargain.
The competition is getting tighter, attention to detail is what will put one company over the other, things like more DAC features controllable in the UI, nice looking and user friendly UI, accurate Manual, firmware updates, longevity of support.
We shall see.

What headphone amp would you pair with the A20d 2022?

 

[BHazard]

What headphone amp would you pair with the A20d 2022?

The built in Amp will work perfectly fine for most headphones. No need for an external amp unless you have power hungry headphones, separate hardware EQ, or want to squeeze every bit of SNR advantage out of the XLR Out.

 

[Gio]

What headphone amp would you pair with the A20d 2022?

I just got one of these DAC and I'm using a VIOLECTRIC amplifier but just because I already have it. This brand provide outstanding headphones amplifiers. Amir already tested at least one of these models. Looking for this test if you are interested.

 

[delta76]

Like the iPhone? You should better reflect your overcome prejudices.

I think he meant the products that are designed (and inevitably made) in China. The focus is specs, which they usually deliver. they obviously spend much less time/resources on UX and reliability design.

 

[Garrincha]

I think he meant the products that are designed (and inevitably made) in China. The focus is specs, which they usually deliver. they obviously spend much less time/resources on UX and reliability design.

There a more luxurious chinese brands as well, for example Matrix.

 

[yavormoskov]

Any chance on a review of the Sabaj A20d 2022? (The step up to this model with the ES9038Pro and MQA)
I own the A20d 2022 and I love it. If the A10d measures this well, I believe the A20d is going to get very close to Topping's best at a much lower price.

Do you think A20d 2022 works with demanding headphones? I am talking about the amplifier portion of it.

 

[Gio]

Do you think A20d 2022 works with demanding headphones? I am talking about the amplifier portion of it.

I'm using it with a Beyerdynamic DT 880 at 600 Ohm. A good level is reached at 90/95% of the volume knob. In my opinion it's not an ideal solution.

 

[peterwen]

 

[pongpaktech]

This looks like a very compelling buy. How would it compare to a Topping DX5?

 

[staticV3]

This looks like a very compelling buy. How would it compare to a Topping DX5?

The DX5 is roughly 14% louder from ca. 100Ω upwards.
At 32Ω, the A10d 2022 is roughly 16% louder than the DX5.

The DX5 is significantly more expensive at $450 vs $300 for the A10d.

Both have built-in power supplies, both support Bluetooth AAC and LDAC input, but only the DX5 can unfold MQA, which explains the price difference (licensing).

I'd choose the A10d.

 

[pongpaktech]

The DX5 is roughly 14% louder from ca. 100Ω upwards.
At 32Ω, the A10d 2022 is roughly 16% louder than the DX5.

The DX5 is significantly more expensive at $450 vs $300 for the A10d.

Both have built-in power supplies, both support Bluetooth AAC and LDAC input, but only the DX5 can unfold MQA, which explains the price difference (licensing).

I'd choose the A10d.

Thanks!
I'm also thinking of getting a Hifiman Sundara later this year. It seems like the A10d will have no issues with it but wanted to be sure

 

[staticV3]

Thanks!
I'm also thinking of getting a Hifiman Sundara later this year. It seems like the A10d will have no issues with it but wanted to be sure

The A10d 2022 can drive the Sundara 2020 to about 120dB SPL peak, which is very, very loud.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Do they really? Have you ever owned a Chord or dCS product or are you just assuming this? The Chord build quality looks nothing special to me and the design is just outrageously ugly. I have heard not great things about costumer service as well.

Sorry about the late reply, but I've just noticed that the dCS Bartok weighs 16.7 kg (36.8 lb) <https://dcsaudio.com/product/bartok>. This is heavier than a lot of old-style (the ones with hefty mains transformers) power amps.

Edit: and it uses 30 W typical. What sort of gross inefficiency is this?

 

[Robocop]

I'm using it with a Beyerdynamic DT 880 at 600 Ohm. A good level is reached at 90/95% of the volume knob. In my opinion it's not an ideal solution.

Interesting I run my Oppo 205 volume at 100% and control volume output digitally from my PC Audio software. This is better sonically. I suggest you try this for yourself.

 

[Jimster480]

The DX5 is roughly 14% louder from ca. 100Ω upwards.
At 32Ω, the A10d 2022 is roughly 16% louder than the DX5.

The DX5 is significantly more expensive at $450 vs $300 for the A10d.

Both have built-in power supplies, both support Bluetooth AAC and LDAC input, but only the DX5 can unfold MQA, which explains the price difference (licensing).

I'd choose the A10d.

There are just so many products in such a close price range it makes it hard to choose anything. Whether 1 device or 2 devices or what...
The DX3 for example has a few worse DB performance but it is also cheaper again by $100.... and now the new topping Stack has better performance than this for the same price.

So its hard to know what to buy if you are a consumer coming from the outside. You want to buy a device that works for you, it is just that simple.

 

[Hülse]

Can I just choose between HP and RCA/XLR for the outputs, or like with Topping between HP or XLR or RCA or RCA + XLR?

 

[EL_PW]

This unit with any of the Genelec 8000 series plugged into the balanced outs and a cheap laptop with all your music on it plugged into the USB in and bada-boom, bada-bing; Reference Level Hi-Fi Audio. And you can take that to the bank.