Why does it seem that the last word is always about hurt feelings that a $40,000 dac performs as well as a $9 dongle?
1st off, who the hell has a $40,000 dac?
And if your playing music off a cell phone, then a $9 dongle is all you'll ever need!
This is 2nd time in recent memory, that when someone makes the claim of passing a blind test, they are told to adjust to "your" standards, and still pass the test.
This is the result. Claims of hurt feelings.
Don't know what the issue is.
Here's Amir's review/measurements of a $13,000 DAC:
This is a review of the Totaldac d1-six DAC and headphone amplifier. It was kindly shipped from europe to me for testing by a member at a high shipping cost of over 200 euros. The d1-six costs 13,500 euros including VAT in Europe and $12,400 for export. The latter translates into US $13,816...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Here's a review of the $9 Apple Dongle:
This is a review, detailed measurements and comparison of Apple's USB-C adapter to the current and last version of Google Pixel headphone adapters. The Apple adapter costs just $9 including one day shipping for free. The Google dongle costs $12. Not that any of these are large by any stretch...
www.audiosciencereview.com
The Apple dongle has a SNAID of 99, the Totaldac d1-six has a SNAID of 84. The difference can be audible, and not in the Totaldac's favor. The differences in measurements are enough that they could be discernable in DBTs, depending on the auditor.
On the other hand, it would be more difficult to detect differences between the Apple Dongle as a DAC only device and the Topping E30, though the E30 has better specs, a SNAID of 112. The difference between the two would be harder to detect as both are closer to the limit of audibility.
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping D90 Balanced USB DAC with Bluetooth. It was kindly sent to me by the company. The D90 costs US $699 with free shipping from Amazon. The D90 is one a few DACs using the latest DAC chip from AKM (AK4499). NOTE: Given some recent...
www.audiosciencereview.com
Very few people, if any, will ever hear the difference between the Topping E30 and the Topping D90, the E30 is very close to the limits of audibility, the D90 being a good 5db better than that.