SONCOZ SGD1 Audio DAC Review

[Oberoni]

I must be doing something wrong, then. I ran Apple's usb-c to 3.5 mm adapter out of the USB-C slot last night and connected it to standard desktop computer speakers. I couldn't get any sound out of the speakers that way no matter which input I used. My amp & headphones connected to the RCA outs worked fine, however.

 

[Ben1987]

The digital output RCA works all the time and requires no more setup.

 

[somebodyelse]

I must be doing something wrong, then. I ran Apple's usb-c to 3.5 mm adapter out of the USB-C slot last night and connected it to standard desktop computer speakers. I couldn't get any sound out of the speakers that way no matter which input I used. My amp & headphones connected to the RCA outs worked fine, however.

The digital out is SPDIF on the RCA labeled 'OUT'. There is no digital output via USB.

 

[Oberoni]

Gotcha, thanks all!

 

[arithon]

I received my SGD1 a few days ago but only managed to set it up last night. Works like a charm - cleaner with more detail than my previous DAC. Ben and Ann, thank you for a great DAC. Form factor is great and I like the design. What would have made this perfect if the knob was made of metal, with a bit of weight. That would have been the icing on the cake!

 

[Nathan_A]

@Ben1987 I want to purchase one of these DACs, but I'm having a heck of a time finding a place where I can purchase one. The Soncoz store checkout process says it can't ship to my address (Portland, OR USA), Amazon appears to be out of stock.

 

[RickSanchez]

@Ben1987 I want to purchase one of these DACs, but I'm having a heck of a time finding a place where I can purchase one. The Soncoz store checkout process says it can't ship to my address (Portland, OR USA), Amazon appears to be out of stock.

You should PM @Sophia Ann ; she can help you.

 

[Sophia Ann]

I received my SGD1 a few days ago but only managed to set it up last night. Works like a charm - cleaner with more detail than my previous DAC. Ben and Ann, thank you for a great DAC. Form factor is great and I like the design. What would have made this perfect if the knob was made of metal, with a bit of weight. That would have been the icing on the cake!

Thanks so much for your approval.

 

[amarsicola]

So can someone explain what is the sinad value of sgd1 now?

@Ben1987 could you ship a unit to Amir to have an independent measurement?

 

[Veri]

So can someone explain what is the sinad value of sgd1 now?
@Ben1987 could you ship a unit to Amir to have an independent measurement?

What do you mean? IMD hump is fixed but SINAD won't have fallen. The circuit has not been made worse.

 

[Hamish (the dog)]

I recently received my SGD1, which I have connected to a SMSL SP200. This replaced a Massdrop O2 / SDAC, and is a giant step up in quality. The O2 / SDAC by itself was good. The SDAC into the SP200 was better, but this combo is superb.

Seeing the thread where @Ben1987 worked through solving the ESS IM hump is what made me decide to purchase the SGD1. That was a very impressive display of a product designer listening to community feedback and taking the steps to resolve the issue. A lot of other companies could learn from that example.

Confirmation bias aside, I have never heard music played so cleanly and clearly as with the SGD1. I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of this device every time I use it. USB from my MacBook works flawlessly. Even Bluetooth sounds good, though I haven’t yet been able to connect via LDAC. I am hoping that can be resolved via an update?

Next on my list is to build a rPi player that can live next to the DAC...

 

[dank0]

@Ben1987 if you guys planning to do Headphone amp or Tube Headphone amp in the future with the same quality like this DAC - I will be definitely your returning customer ;-)

 

[bahamot]

@Ben1987 if you guys planning to do Headphone amp or Tube Headphone amp in the future with the same quality like this DAC - I will be definitely your returning customer ;-)

Same here.

 

[mt196]

I actually can't wait to see some speakers' amp. It is time that some Chinese competition enters that sector, I am tired of seeing 85db sinad stuff sold at more than 400$ (way more actually)

 

[Harmonie]

I wished the SGD1 having a digital control panel, even if more expensive

 

[NOS4A2]

I left a similar post like this at Amir's review of QXD1 so forgive me for cloning it but...

Is there a Brian who lives in York, Ontario, Canada who recently bought a silver QXD1? I think your DAC just arrived at my door and mine, a black one, will arrive at yours this Friday.

Please send me a PM so we can sort this out without having to send the DACs back to Ann.

 

[jtwrace]

Is email response time from Soncaz usually really slow?

 

[maxxevv]

Is email response time from Soncaz usually really slow?

Their time zone is exactly 12 hours difference from yours. It may play a part in the response.
Or that it may have ended in the junk/spam mail folder by server mistake.

 

[jtwrace]

Their time zone is exactly 12 hours difference from yours. It may play a part in the response.
Or that it may have ended in the junk/spam mail folder by server mistake.

Yes I'm aware of the time zone change...it has been 4 days now.

 

[Sophia Ann]

Is email response time from Soncaz usually really slow?

Is email response time from Soncaz usually really slow?

Sorry for late reply. I have replied you.