SONCOZ SGD1 Audio DAC Review

[soundcheck]

I still run a KTB. It's IMO still a very good DAC. Obviously the SGD1 seems to be a step up.

I am wondering if the SGD1 offers the controls (volume, filters, outputs) also via (Linux) driver?
For the KTB at least the VC feature had been added later on via firmware patches.
Many apps and distros (Volumio, Moode, pCP, DietPi,....) offer external control options - if the DAC/driver offers it.
I would really prefer to use such SW controls over front panel switches or separate remotes. It'll make life much easier.

In case these features are not offered. Is there are slight chance to see these features popping up sooner or later e.g. via
firmware upgrade?

THX

 

[Kyosato]

why? its used for firmware updates only. even older 802.11n operating at 2.4Ghz is way more than enough. same would go for ethernet, 100Mbps and even 10Mbps would be enough. im far more concerned about these potential attack vectors, that will eventually have security vulnerabilities, sooner or later. having a device always connected to internet, especially when not needed, is never a good idea. id be rather by much more interested in offline fw upgrade, ideally through usb or other, physical means, as bluetooth falls into similar potential attack vector as the networking capability.

you are right, but this my responsibility to build a network. Not all my equipment can go to the internet, I have a router and choose which one can connect and when.

 

[RickSanchez]

... given the boldness of the Soncoz team, they have the potential to make a very good product in the future.

I'd say the SGD1 is excellent product right now. It sounds like this DAC doesn't meet all of your requirements, which is fine. But for the vast majority of folks looking to buy a new DAC this is an exceptional performer with a solid feature set at a reasonable price, one that is backed up by great customer service.

 

[Ben1987]

I am wondering if the SGD1 offers the controls (volume, filters, outputs) also via (Linux) driver?

In case these features are not offered. Is there are slight chance to see these features popping up sooner or later e.g. via
firmware upgrade?

You mean the volume adjustment function of XMOS, the same function as KTB.XMOS to adjust the volume so that the system is more stable. If more people are required, they will consider upgrading the XMOS firmware to open up this feature.

 

[PPP]

XMOS has capabilities to convert signal (DSD to PCM normally...),

You're wrong. XU208 could never do dsd to pcm conversion in real time. dsd to pcm requires a lot of computing power for general purposed processors. xmos are super underpowered, and can only pass streams, do some simple volume calculations, or bit manipulations.

 

[JamesYeomans]

@Ben1987 Thanks so much for addressing the reported "audio reset to max volume bug" so quickly.
I literally emailed Ben & Ann yesterday evening and a fix is already available!
The customer service you and your team provide has been fantastic.

It's great to support an independent designer/manufacturer putting out such fantastic products.

The SGD1 does exactly what I need, for a great price. I have a Topping D90 in the lounge and I cannot tell any difference in sound quality between that and the SGD1, but this has the bonus of an extra USB socket (so I can easily connect my iPhone without reaching to the back of the unit and unplugging my laptop) and a volume knob, all for less money!

I've been avidly following this site for about a year. You've inspired me to finally create an ASR account and donate.
Keep up the great work. I'll keep any eye out for the SDG-V2. By then I'll probably be looking for a balanced output replacement for the Topping D50s I have in the dining room

 

[CrimeInPartner]

One last update. I contacted YooYeeToo and he was quick to respond after reaching out to DHL. It seems International flights have largely been ground to a halt due to COVID-19 and it was sitting and waiting. DHL said it should be getting on a plane soon which seems to line up with the fact that I am now seeing updates on the tracking number, with an estimated delivery of next Monday, so we're looking at a week.

Anyway, in case it wasn't clear to any of you, be patient if ordering from an international retailer as the supply chains are all jacked up right now which is going to add even more lead time than you might have already expected. Many thanks also to YooYeeToo for quickly responding to my message and getting me some answers!

I received the SGD1 yesterday; it only took 3 days to ship from China to Dallas once it actually started moving! So a couple of things, YooYeeToo sent me the regular version and not the black version, in spite of the Amazon listing being update to say it was the black version. I am kind of torn as to whether I want to go through the hassle of trying to return and exchange for the black one with all the difficulty I had in getting this first one with the pandemic going on. For what it's worth, the regular version looks nicer than I thought in the pictures. Where I thought the housing was a gray color, it's actually closer to a gray/metallic blue if that makes any sense.

Unfortunately, I'm still pretty new to all this as the SGD1 is my first DAC and I purchased my first amp only somewhat recently too, so I don't have a really good baseline to go by to compare what I am hearing to anything else, nor have I really ironed out the best way to listen on my PC. That all said, I am happy with what I'm hearing, and the DAC itself is very elegant looking with its one knob that's fairly intuitive in using. Getting the firmware updated was pretty simpletoo, although, I will say that I generally agree that there should be an option to update the firmware via USB or a jtag and not have OTA as the only option. In this day and age, we should all be more security minded so it would be good to have more options and not less. I also am not sure if this was just me, it was some 220v cable or I need some hipster kind of power outlet, but the power cable provided, I had no place that I could plug it in. Thankfully, I had a 3 phase power cord stashed away that I was able to use.

Thank you @Ben1987 !

 

[nspp]

Unboxing SGD1 Black..
Well packed, with renote no battery, good usb 2.0 cable (gold plated), 2 white/green Soncoz sticker, and useless power cable as the Y plug is not for E.U.

First step was to update the firmware for Xmos (once done Device name chnage to SGD1). You cannot do the update if the drivers are not installed and without a windows machine.
Next was to do the online update using adroid app to set wiffi access. You do not really see what is going on (No progress bar). You just have to wait during volume light is flashing.

First impressions.
I only tested for my usage, usb connection for web controled linux player with headphone amplifier.
Once firmware is updated PCM and DSD can flow to the dac and are decoded from 44.1 to 352.8, 48 to 384, DSD64 to DSD512 (Native or DOP).

This is really a precise DAC, linear and transparent and easy to use if you do not want get decoding information. Let say that it do the job quite well and if you want to use it in front of any amplifier or mono bloc or monitor loudspeaker you will get the quality of 9038 Sabre or pro AK devices for much less.

I will not write about the audition impression as it is subjective and many things depends on the combination of device....In short i'm quite happy with the result and much pleased than expected.

What should be enhanced from most annoying to less:

No proper volume indication where are : min 0 max. Button without mechanical limits are for me hard to manage, I really miss a way to jump to/see 0 as the output is too loud and not clean for my amplifier after 85% of the volume light indicator. I will try to add a sticker, but an easy way by soft could be to turn off the light at Zero and have it again before and after.. This will work also with remote.

Missing decoding information. [DSD/44.1/48] [x1 2 4 8 16]

Selection of PCM Filter with knob stop decoding.

Still possible to change PCM filter when DSD play (At least an easy way to indicate DSD could be to light off or lock filter choice)

I miss ability to do software update pushing myself version.

Power button on the back.

Ability to define an load the custom filter for PCM 8th filter as defined in ESS datasheet with c sample

Conclusion

 

[CrimeInPartner]

Unboxing SGD1 Black..
Well packed, with renote no battery, good usb 2.0 cable (gold plated), 2 white/green Soncoz sticker, and useless power cable as the Y plug is not for E.U.

First step was to update the firmware for Xmos (once done Device name chnage to SGD1). You cannot do the update if the drivers are not installed and without a windows machine.
Next was to do the online update using adroid app to set wiffi access. You do not really see what is going on (No progress bar). You just have to wait during volume light is flashing.

First impressions.
I only tested for my usage, usb connection for web controled linux player with headphone amplifier.
Once firmware is updated PCM and DSD can flow to the dac and are decoded from 44.1 to 352.8, 48 to 384, DSD64 to DSD512 (Native or DOP).

This is really a precise DAC, linear and transparent and easy to use if you do not want get decoding information. Let say that it do the job quite well and if you want to use it in front of any amplifier or mono bloc or monitor loudspeaker you will get the quality of 9038 Sabre or pro AK devices for much less.

I will not write about the audition impression as it is subjective and many things depends on the combination of device....In short i'm quite happy with the result and much pleased than expected.

What should be enhanced from most annoying to less:

No proper volume indication where are : min 0 max. Button without mechanical limits are for me hard to manage, I really miss a way to jump to/see 0 as the output is too loud and not clean for my amplifier after 85% of the volume light indicator. I will try to add a sticker, but an easy way by soft could be to turn off the light at Zero and have it again before and after.. This will work also with remote.

Missing decoding information. [DSD/44.1/48] [x1 2 4 8 16]

Selection of PCM Filter with knob stop decoding.

Still possible to change PCM filter when DSD play (At least an easy way to indicate DSD could be to light off or lock filter choice)

I miss ability to do software update pushing myself version.

Power button on the back.

Ability to define an load the custom filter for PCM 8th filter as defined in ESS datasheet with c sample

Conclusion

Do you think you could take a picture of your black SGD1? I'm on the fence as to whether I should try and get the black one I originally ordered from the Amazon reseller or stick with the original. I posted a picture of my current stack with the 789 as a point of reference.

I know it's purely cosmetic, but if I am going to be looking at this thing for potentially the next decade, I want to do it right the first time.

Thanks!

 

[JamesYeomans]

Mine’s black. It looks fab to me, though may not have come out well in this pic :s

 

[CrimeInPartner]

Mine’s black. It looks fab to me, though may not have come out well in this pic :s

Thanks @JamesYeomans and @nspp . I reached out to the YooYeeToo too see what options there are in making things right before committing to any decision.

 

[TomB]

I think both colors look quite good. I would have a hard time deciding which to buy, even with all my black Naim boxes. Has anyone had a chance to compare how it sounds to the Khadas Toneboard?

 

[vole-boy]

Have taken delivery of mine (in black, very nice) via Amazon UK seller Smartfly Tech. Very nice product, works with Linux (Ubuntu 19.10, using Guayadeque player) seamlessly. Sounds great! Has anyone else played with the filters? I'll freely admit to hearing no difference whatsoever (I'm sure technically they all do different stuff, but I sure as heck can't hear it...which is just fine by me). I'm having trouble with the OTA update via ESPtouch (keeps failing), but working on it.

 

[CrimeInPartner]

Have taken delivery of mine (in black, very nice) via Amazon UK seller Smartfly Tech. Very nice product, works with Linux (Ubuntu 19.10, using Guayadeque player) seamlessly. Sounds great! Has anyone else played with the filters? I'll freely admit to hearing no difference whatsoever (I'm sure technically they all do different stuff, but I sure as heck can't hear it...which is just fine by me). I'm having trouble with the OTA update via ESPtouch (keeps failing), but working on it.

For the OTA, the one thing that I had some trouble working through was that ESPTouch requires you to be on the 2.4Ghz WiFi network, which my phone wouldn't manually let me force. I ended up having to go into my Wireless router settings and set the transmit power of my 2.4Ghz radio to high and my 5 Ghz radio to low in order to ensure my phone connect on the correct band. Once that was done, I stopped getting the error and was able to assign an IP to the DAC. At least, that seems to be the case when ESPTouch tells you an IP is assigned. It is kind of difficult to tell what is going on from the DAC side of things since there is no display. In the end, I was able to confirm that the DAC was successfully connecting to my wireless by looking at my active wireless clients and seeing the SGD1 and the last connection time within the past minute of rebooting it.

 

[vole-boy]

For the OTA, the one thing that I had some trouble working through was that ESPTouch requires you to be on the 2.4Ghz WiFi network, which my phone wouldn't manually let me force. I ended up having to go into my Wireless router settings and set the transmit power of my 2.4Ghz radio to high and my 5 Ghz radio to low in order to ensure my phone connect on the correct band. Once that was done, I stopped getting the error and was able to assign an IP to the DAC. At least, that seems to be the case when ESPTouch tells you an IP is assigned. It is kind of difficult to tell what is going on from the DAC side of things since there is no display. In the end, I was able to confirm that the DAC was successfully connecting to my wireless by looking at my active wireless clients and seeing the SGD1 and the last connection time within the past minute of rebooting it.

Ah, great tips, thank you! I'll break out the WiFi toolkit and go to work...

 

[vole-boy]

Ah, great tips, thank you! I'll break out the WiFi toolkit and go to work...

Ok, we have success - the ring is flashing (don't be smutty, I meant the one around the volume knob... actually that doesn't come over any better)...does that mean it's updating?

 

[porotikos]

smartfly in amazon is a no go for me, unless the postage is fulfilled by amazon itself. smartfly is located in china. therefore this means enormous customs fees... hope amazon can fulfill the postage so that we europeans can avoid customs....

 

[Ben1987]

the ring is flashing

It means SGD1 mute outout.

 

[CrimeInPartner]

@Ben1987 Quick question for you, how many of those gray units would you say are out in the wild? Are there still being more made or are all future production ones the black one? I've been talking with YooYeeToo trying to see about getting a replacement black unit like I had originally ordered and he is under the impression that there are a total of only 5 of the gray units out and that was all that were made and that's it. I'm kind of now more on the fence about keeping the gray if it is something of a collectors item over the black, haha. Would that also mean this is one of the units that was soldered by hand to fix the ESS hump? The serial number on the box said this was 90 if that makes any difference.

 

[vole-boy]

It means SGD1 mute outout.

Ah...thank you. Ok, looks like I'll have to check via the router to see if it's connecting.