Isn't it the case that careful gain staging is required in order to achieve transparent amplification?
What would be the goal, if not that?
And, you call this "expensive" ?
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SMSL DO400 DAC & HP Amp Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
What would be the goal, if not that?
And, you call this "expensive" ?
Got a sporty offer for the DO400 and took it (Aoshida on amazon).
Main reasons I was looking at it were: SMSL, I like the devices, works for me. Optics, looks really nice and technical in black. 3 x headphone out incl. the XLR option. ESS9039pro.
It does what I expected it to do. Take audio from a WiiM Ultra via USB. Put out XLR to poweramp, which I can now reduce to low gain at that place.
I really like the simple, yet comprehensive menu. Once set -> just turn off.
The font-o-rama there, previously mentioned, is truly something. They should fix that.
Lots of comparisons with the Topping DX5 II in this thread and mentioning of the DO400 being too pricy. You guys see that you are comparing 9039q2m to 9039pro, different platform and price areas, right? I'm sure there are other DACs with that overall feature set, a 90390q2m and a lower price.
I did not yet own a Topping, but followed the DX1 II release threads. Yeah no I won't be participating in public alpha tests.
Main reasons I was looking at it were: SMSL, I like the devices, works for me. Optics, looks really nice and technical in black. 3 x headphone out incl. the XLR option. ESS9039pro.
It does what I expected it to do. Take audio from a WiiM Ultra via USB. Put out XLR to poweramp, which I can now reduce to low gain at that place.
I really like the simple, yet comprehensive menu. Once set -> just turn off.
The font-o-rama there, previously mentioned, is truly something. They should fix that.
Lots of comparisons with the Topping DX5 II in this thread and mentioning of the DO400 being too pricy. You guys see that you are comparing 9039q2m to 9039pro, different platform and price areas, right? I'm sure there are other DACs with that overall feature set, a 90390q2m and a lower price.
I did not yet own a Topping, but followed the DX1 II release threads. Yeah no I won't be participating in public alpha tests.
Despite many being enamored of measurements, none of us have the same pair of ears or the same mental digital processing between them ... which is my way of saying that whichever device sounds best to you is the right one for you.
To me, the DAC chip used in both these DACs sounded better to me than any of the devices with other chips (and, yes, I can hear a small difference with the Pro version of the chip that matters to me).
What I do take issue with is the funky display on the D60 -- and even more so that the manufacturer didn't honor its warranty (or even bother to respond to the customer). That's a big enough deal to make me not want another Loxjie or SMSL product in the future. Lots of other companys are using this chip. They have competition.
To me, the DAC chip used in both these DACs sounded better to me than any of the devices with other chips (and, yes, I can hear a small difference with the Pro version of the chip that matters to me).
What I do take issue with is the funky display on the D60 -- and even more so that the manufacturer didn't honor its warranty (or even bother to respond to the customer). That's a big enough deal to make me not want another Loxjie or SMSL product in the future. Lots of other companys are using this chip. They have competition.
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