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for the claimed differences, one should not need at AP.
Sure, it would be great to have some additional modes tested, but Amir only has so much time at spend and a gigantic backlog of stuff to review. The point is: anecdotal evidence is just no good. Anyone can claim anything… and just like that a myth is born.
But unfortunately that's the mode that interests me primarily. That's basically the reason I'm considering this DAC and not another one.
For me 3 users reporting similar issues is reason enough for concern. My mind would be at ease if the preamp mode was measured. It's very, very strange to read on an objective forum that an use case that hasn't been tested should be fine. That's the absolute opposite of science.
No difference if you don't have preamp after the dac. If you have a preamp after that it's depending on the performance of the preamp.
With L30 as preamp you can still achieve 98dB SNR. If you use E30 only, you get 78dB.
But what matters is the residual noise being amplified and comes out at speaker.
But unfortunately that's the mode that interests me primarily. That's basically the reason I'm considering this DAC and not another one.
For me 3 users reporting similar issues is reason enough for concern. My mind would be at ease if the preamp mode was measured. It's very, very strange to read on an objective forum that an use case that hasn't been tested should be fine. That's the absolute opposite of science.
But unfortunately that's the mode that interests me primarily. That's basically the reason I'm considering this DAC and not another one.
For me 3 users reporting similar issues is reason enough for concern. My mind would be at ease if the preamp mode was measured. It's very, very strange to read on an objective forum that an use case that hasn't been tested should be fine. That's the absolute opposite of science.
As JohnYang was saying the only difference when the E30 is used in preamp mode is a reduction in SNR the greater the negative preamp you run. So, SNR of E30 at 0dBFS (full output) is 112dB, if you run the E30 in preamp mode at -10dB then you lose 10dB of SINAD so it would be 102dB SINAD. JohnYang also insinuated that what really matters is what happens in the rest of your audio chain....ie what is the SINAD of the amplifiers in your active speakers or the SINAD of your amplifier, and also the SINAD of your actual speakers (not sure if you can have SINAD of speakers but think you can).......one of the rules is that if your DAC had 10dB or greater SINAD than your other components downstream in your audio chain then you are not losing any overall SINAD in your audio chain.
When you can hear it?
Speaker amps can have higher input referred noise. So it only matters when the speaker amp is inherently lower noise.
The speaker amp can also have higher gain and when speakers have high sensitivity you may hear the noise.
When you can hear it?
Speaker amps can have higher input referred noise. So it only matters when the speaker amp is inherently lower noise.
The speaker amp can also have higher gain and when speakers have high sensitivity you may hear the noise.
But unfortunately that's the mode that interests me primarily. That's basically the reason I'm considering this DAC and not another one.
For me 3 users reporting similar issues is reason enough for concern. My mind would be at ease if the preamp mode was measured. It's very, very strange to read on an objective forum that an use case that hasn't been tested should be fine. That's the absolute opposite of science.
Here are some of the requested tests. I tested with a Samsung phone charger and it was basically the same as USB although the nature of the spikes changed much. So I then powered it with a BOTW linear power supply and Toslink input. Results are basically the same as USB:
We have a clear jitter pattern. But levels are at -120 dB down to less than -140 dB so not an issue whatsoever. USB is superior since the DAC has its own clock rather than chasing the input.
Hello all, is there any consensus whether this is worth a buy for $130 if I won't be using an external power source (only Desktop's or Laptop's usb port to power it)? The value drops if I'll have to buy an iFi iPower or something to provide it with "clean" power.
Will any distortion of noise be audible, at least for my setup?
Apple USB-C Dongle (to be replaced by this) --> Topping L30 --> Sennheiser HD 660S.
So what the digital pre-amp does is just bring the signal closer to the noise floor. Therefore the noise floor basically never changes perceptually. So if you don't hear any hiss (not recording related) though your speakers, a digital volume control will mosty likeley never be an issue. Now an analogue pre-amp, scales both signal and noise, however the pre-amp also has it's own noise floor. So once the DAC signal noise is lower than the pre noise, the pre's noise dominates.
For those who’re interested. Apple lossless launched today and works fine on E30. Now there’s a cheaper source for Hi-Res files. View attachment 134511
Hi, can you please show me how does your setup work and what adapter are you using with the iPhone? Is it a lighting to USB adapter plugged directly into the DAC?
Hi, can you please show me how does your setup work and what adapter are you using with the iPhone? Is it a lighting to USB adapter plugged directly into the DAC?
I am using a FiiO L19 Lightning to Micro USB cable from my old FiiO Q1 DAC. It's a hassle converting it to USB B for the E30.
I will suggest to get a Lightning Camera Adaptor.
Dear all, need your advice. I am thinking of getting this portable CD player with SPDIF as CD Transport to the E30.
Since I am not utilising the internal DAC of the CD player and only send digital signal to the E30, will this be acceptable or I really need a 'proper' CD player? Will a proper CD player really make a very big difference? Thanks.
It's powered using USB-C and have USB and SPDIF out. costs around USD50-60.
Dear all, need your advice. I am thinking of getting this portable CD player with SPDIF as CD Transport to the E30.
Since I am not utilising the internal DAC of the CD player and only send digital signal to the E30, will this be acceptable or I really need a 'proper' CD player? Will a proper CD player really make a very big difference? Thanks. View attachment 136067View attachment 136068
It's powered using USB-C and have USB and SPDIF out. costs around USD50-60.
Probably will work fine. I've got a Sony Blu-Ray from a thrift store for $7 [spent about $10 to get a remote via Amazon]. Works great with the E30/L30 combo.
Probably will work fine. I've got a Sony Blu-Ray from a thrift store for $7 [spent about $10 to get a remote via Amazon]. Works great with the E30/L30 combo.
Dear all, need your advice. I am thinking of getting this portable CD player with SPDIF as CD Transport to the E30.
Since I am not utilising the internal DAC of the CD player and only send digital signal to the E30, will this be acceptable or I really need a 'proper' CD player? Will a proper CD player really make a very big difference? Thanks. View attachment 136067View attachment 136068
It's powered using USB-C and have USB and SPDIF out. costs around USD50-60.
Thanks. yes I was following this thread and was aware of the CS chip problem. Both Coax and Toslink SPDIF are controlled by the same chip thus I assume both connection will have issue correct?
. I’ve never headed any issues in either mode.
