Sabaj A20d 2023 DAC & HP Amp Review

[Sucama]

HD + N vs Frequency figures are better in Sabaj 2022 (ESS) than in 2023 (AKM)

 

[NiagaraPete]

Nice looking device!

 

[PenguinMusic]

Qucik question : last year, the Sabaj A20d was released before the A30d.

the A30d sported a better DAC chip (9038 Pro if I am not mistaken) over the A20d.

Is there something better than the AKM AK4499EX that would fit into the 2023 version of the A30d ?

 

[mocenigo]

When you say "it does not compare to dCS" I don't know what you mean. In what way is in not comparable? Can you clarify this statement? Thanks

It is not as expensive as the dCS.

 

[vulejov]

HD + N vs Frequency figures are better in Sabaj 2022 (ESS) than in 2023 (AKM)

2022 sound better than 2023..
AKM version have few bad things.. digital attenuator isn’t correct, first step is very loud so if one have amp with 20dB or more gain and 85dB or more speakers quiet listening is impossible .. analog output stage using coupling capacitor without any logic and need for it, implementation of Vreff is wrong.. mute is also very problematic with akm, every sample rate conversion have lite noise, ess has better solution for that..
Looks like 2023 version is made in hurry, because some other products with same chip came earlier..
And of course, all this things are obvious, and measurements doesn’t shows them..

 

[Mnyb]

Was waiting for this.

Next step is someone asking for EQ in the box.

After that someone will point RME has EQ, then we will compare the cost of this unit with the RME, and then the debate about the warranty will open and then bla bla bla.

I take this one for the team

Can we please have :

* Room EQ (Dirac or similar)

* Loudness contour , variable .

* Subwoofer outputs , with xover

* A balanced analog input input

* An unbalanced analog input input

* ARC or EARC

(* Optionally a phono stage )

(* Optionally a built in streamer )

Now its done , continue as you where .

Btw a great performing product , looks nice enough to me re the design.

 

[amirm]

Amir, can you please tell us which of the sound colors has the worst SINAD?

From what I recall, all but #1 showed SINAD of around 105 dB.

 

[mocenigo]

2022 sound better than 2023..
AKM version have few bad things.. digital attenuator isn’t correct, first step is very loud so if one have amp with 20dB or more gain and 85dB or more speakers quiet listening is impossible .. analog output stage using coupling capacitor without any logic and need for it, implementation of Vreff is wrong.. mute is also very problematic with akm, every sample rate conversion have lite noise, ess has better solution for that..
Looks like 2023 version is made in hurry, because some other products with same chip came earlier..
And of course, all this things are obvious, and measurements doesn’t shows them..

I think that measurement was made with one of the colours. They are actually within 1 or 2 Db from each point there in terms of SINAD

 

[Tovarich007]

Amir, can you please tell us which of the sound colors has the worst SINAD?

I've also asked Amir to precise which filter is the best, more exactly which is the worse, because his test wan't really clear about this issue, and I think it's important to know exactly in order to avoid using the" bad" setting. And why this setting is 15 points less than the others (this is much and could be audible) ? It seems a kind of flaw in the design of this setting ?

 

[Tovarich007]

I've also asked Amir to precise which filter is the best, more exactly which is the worse, because his test wan't really clear about this issue, and I think it's important to know exactly in order to avoid using the" bad" setting. And why this setting is 15 points less than the others (this is much and could be audible) ? It seems a kind of flaw in the design of this setting ?

I've also asked Amir to precise which filter is the best, more exactly which is the worse, because his test wan't really clear about this issue, and I think it's important to know exactly in order to avoid using the" bad" setting. And why this setting is 15 points less than the others (this is much and could be audible) ? It seems a kind of flaw in the design of this setting ?

From what I recall, all but #1 showed SINAD of around 105 dB.

Is the number one is called just "1" on the dispaly or "sharp roll off" as showed by Sonci99 ? And, in your opinion, why this setting (filter) is worse than the others ? is this relatively bad performance audible, so should we avoid to use this setting ?

 

[vulejov]

I think that measurement was made with one of the colours. They are actually within 1 or 2 Db from each point there in terms of SINAD

I think that measurements are bullshit..
2022 is at least one class better product and measurement are allmost the same..
2023 is broken.. volume control doesn’t work properly, mute doesn’t work properly, psu have allmost 1V difference beetwen positive and negative rail, chinese crapy bipolar coupling capacitor without any sense..

 

[amirm]

Is the number one is called just "1" on the dispaly or "sharp roll off" as showed by Sonci99 ? And, in your opinion, why this setting (filter) is worse than the others ? is this relatively bad performance audible, so should we avoid to use this setting ?

I was talking about sound color not filter setting. For filter I used sharp.

 

[mocenigo]

I think that measurements are bullshit..

Which measurements? Or measurements in general?

2022 is at least one class better product and measurement are allmost the same..

Almost the same as what?

2023 is broken.. volume control doesn’t work properly, mute doesn’t work properly, psu have allmost 1V difference beetwen positive and negative rail,

Maybe you got a broken one?

chinese crapy bipolar coupling capacitor without any sense..

Really? Where? Burden of proof: show the pics, please.

Roberto

 

[vulejov]

Measurements on this forum are allmost same, but 2022 and 2023 version are very different..
I don’t think both 2023 devices which I have is broken..

 

[Sal1950]

A very handsome, well performing DAC/Amp.
If I was looking to replace my Emo DC-1, this might be it.
To bad it doesn't include a line level input to allow it's use as a minimal preamp.

 

[Elvom]

Crossing fingers and waiting for the sabaj a30a review

 

[mocenigo]

Measurements on this forum are allmost same, but 2022 and 2023 version are very different..
I don’t think both 2023 devices which I have is broken..

If you refer to the black/yellow ones they could be on the power supply and I cannot see the manufacturer. They could be Rubycon.
The blue ones seem on the signal and they are SANYO, not “cheap Chinese”

You need to step up you efforts to prove this product is crap…

 

[kokono]

Measurements on this forum are allmost same, but 2022 and 2023 version are very different..
I don’t think both 2023 devices which I have is broken..

You mean they used some capacitors when they shouldn't? No manufacture is doing that, they just want to cut costs, not otherwise.
This version may measure a bit worse than the ESS 2022 version, but this one has the "velvet sound".

 

[vulejov]

If you refer to the black/yellow ones they could be on the power supply and I cannot see the manufacturer. They could be Rubycon.
The blue ones seem on the signal and they are SANYO, not “cheap Chinese”

You need to step up you efforts to prove this product is crap…

Blue ones are mine sanyo oscon, there where green one bipolar chinese crap which goes out.. just as wima 4n7 in point where datasheet says that 1n is correct value for filter..
My point is that akm datasheet says there is no need for coupling capacitors, but sabaj thinks diferent..

 

[vulejov]

You mean they used some capacitors when they shouldn't? No manufacture is doing that, they just want to cut costs, not otherwise.
This version may measure a bit worse than the ESS 2022 version, but this one has the "velvet sound".

They think that is easier to use coupling capacitor instead correct triming Vreff..