Soncoz LA-QXD1 Balanced DAC Review

[bunkbail]

As there have been issues with ESS chips in the past (e.g. SMSL M500) does SINAD change over time (and with warmth)?

That issue typically occurs with the power-hog ES9038 Pro chip, this one has the mobile version of the ES9038, so I guess there should be no problem with this unit.

 

[Sancus]

You need independent power input from USB bus. I tried powering it with a normal USB jack on the computer but it would not power on and Windows complained that too much power was being requested.

Does a good balanced DAC that works with only USB power exist at all? Don't think I've seen one.

 

[MenloBob]

Does a good balanced DAC that works with only USB power exist at all? Don't think I've seen one.

Motu M2

 

[Sancus]

Motu M2

It has knobs too and is even cheaper than this one! That thing needs a review!

 

[3125b]

Julian Krause did a comparative review of the headphone outputs of a number of USB audio interfaces:

The Motu seems to be pretty good overall, but still a bit lacking in power (due to lack of power via USB, I guess).

I was looking at this very DAC, however importing these things gets expensive. Availability of many audio products is so much better in the US, it´s a real shame that there are no distributors for much of this in the EU. I´m sure there would be a market for it.

 

[Xombul]

If only there was a remote control...

 

[gvl]

Does a good balanced DAC that works with only USB power exist at all? Don't think I've seen one.

https://drop.com/buy/drop-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced

 

[q3cpma]

Does a good balanced DAC that works with only USB power exist at all? Don't think I've seen one.

All interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett/Clarett or Audient iD range. You even have the Babyface as the king (I think) of this category.

 

[ZgSTar]

Great work Amir! I would really like to see the performance of the RCA out to see how it would couple with an Atom. Any plan to measure those?

 

[dmac6419]

I'm liking this Company.

 

[somebodyelse]

There are a load of details about this DAC and customers' experiences with it in the other thread, including alternative firmware as some wanted the volume to default to full since they were using it with a volume control downstream.

 

[Schackmannen]

@amirm Could you please do the multitone and THD+N vs Freq test?

 

[elberoth]

+2 for the multi-tone test.

 

[FreaK]

I'm waited long for this review, but i'm a little bit disappointed. This unit falls short in performance compared to what WolfX-700 measured.

I'm among the first who got it, i also wrote a first impressions review in the other thread. I just updated the FW, it should stick to the max. volume now.

 

[617]

It has knobs too and is even cheaper than this one! That thing needs a review!

I have an m4, I would be very curious on measurements. As a box to get high quality audio into and out of a computer it is pretty much perfect.

 

[ZolaIII]

Seams nice but I think SMSL M300 MKII is overly better package for 45$ more.

 

[gvl]

I'm waited long for this review, but i'm a little bit disappointed. This unit falls short in performance compared to what WolfX-700 measured.

I'm among the first who got it, i also wrote a first impressions review in the other thread. I just updated the FW, it should stick to the max. volume now.

Did the volume level stick on soft power-off on the original FW? As for performance, it is close, definitely whatever gap there is shouldn't be a concern.

 

[BostonJack]

this is an insanely capable unit for balanced outputs and for the price.
i'm aiming for the Dx3pro, as a DAC/preamp because I want the Bluetooth for ad hoc connections to
friend's devices, etc.

my existing D10 is probably completely adequate, but why let that stop me?

thank you Amir and crew! really looking forward to landing my next contract and maybe buying some Revel M16's.

 

[adriano93]

Results for RCA output would be great

 

[bequietjk]

Wooho it finally arrived!