This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sabaj A20d 2022 balanced stereo DAC and headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $420.
The new revision is very attractive and stylish. It belies its low cost. I like the colorful display and clear indicators. Headphone amplification is included and is output in both 1/4 and 4.4 mm. Note that the latter is not balanced and is simply there for compatibility (which I appreciated).
Back panel is what you expect:
A remote control is also provided. I like using the unit and my only wish was for acceleration support in volume control. Otherwise it takes a bit too long to go from one extreme to another.
Sabaj A20d 2022 DAC Measurements
Performance is exceptional using both balanced and unbalanced output even after bringing the levels down to nominal:
It lands the A20d comfortably in our top 20 best DACs:
Dynamic range goes with that:
Performance keeps improving up to maximum output level:
Multitone performance is exceptional:
Linearity is perfect:
IMD is excellent as well although we see a hint of famous ESS DAC signature:
Jitter is exemplary with all three inputs:
Note that I have refined this test to have less noise. So be careful in comparing it to past reviews although difference is not large.
Filter performance is the usual:
Using the default Fast Linear, THD+N performance is superb across full audible band:
Sabaj A20d 2022 Headphone Amplifier
I was very pleased to see so much output in this combo:
With no clipping, what you hear is the headphone distortion and not the amp (at 32 ohm and higher). This is plenty of power to drive 95% of the headphones out there to very loud levels.
50 mv output is very good and above average:
So even sensitive IEMs should be good to go.
As noted, the amp only clips at impedances below 32 ohm. Performance otherwise is excellent:
Sabaj A20d 2022 Headphone Listening Tests
I started with my everyday Dan Clark Stealth and was so pleased to see the A20d drive it with ease. Only at maximum volume did I hear some crackling but that was above comfort already. The sound was dynamic, detailed and just a delight. I saw no need to test with headphones with less drive requirement than the Stealth. You have my promise that it will blow your socks off!
Conclusions
Sabaj A20d 2022: a formula driven to perfection. Don't know what else to say. In every test and every angle, performance is incredibly good -- often at state of the art. Combine that with unique good looks and you have an easy winner.
It is my absolute pleasure to recommend the Sabaj A20d 2022 revision.
-----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
The new revision is very attractive and stylish. It belies its low cost. I like the colorful display and clear indicators. Headphone amplification is included and is output in both 1/4 and 4.4 mm. Note that the latter is not balanced and is simply there for compatibility (which I appreciated).
Back panel is what you expect:
A remote control is also provided. I like using the unit and my only wish was for acceleration support in volume control. Otherwise it takes a bit too long to go from one extreme to another.
Sabaj A20d 2022 DAC Measurements
Performance is exceptional using both balanced and unbalanced output even after bringing the levels down to nominal:
It lands the A20d comfortably in our top 20 best DACs:
Dynamic range goes with that:
Performance keeps improving up to maximum output level:
Multitone performance is exceptional:
Linearity is perfect:
IMD is excellent as well although we see a hint of famous ESS DAC signature:
Jitter is exemplary with all three inputs:
Note that I have refined this test to have less noise. So be careful in comparing it to past reviews although difference is not large.
Filter performance is the usual:
Using the default Fast Linear, THD+N performance is superb across full audible band:
Sabaj A20d 2022 Headphone Amplifier
I was very pleased to see so much output in this combo:
With no clipping, what you hear is the headphone distortion and not the amp (at 32 ohm and higher). This is plenty of power to drive 95% of the headphones out there to very loud levels.
50 mv output is very good and above average:
So even sensitive IEMs should be good to go.
As noted, the amp only clips at impedances below 32 ohm. Performance otherwise is excellent:
Sabaj A20d 2022 Headphone Listening Tests
I started with my everyday Dan Clark Stealth and was so pleased to see the A20d drive it with ease. Only at maximum volume did I hear some crackling but that was above comfort already. The sound was dynamic, detailed and just a delight. I saw no need to test with headphones with less drive requirement than the Stealth. You have my promise that it will blow your socks off!
Conclusions
Sabaj A20d 2022: a formula driven to perfection. Don't know what else to say. In every test and every angle, performance is incredibly good -- often at state of the art. Combine that with unique good looks and you have an easy winner.
It is my absolute pleasure to recommend the Sabaj A20d 2022 revision.
-----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
