Welcome New Members to ASR, introduce yourself here.

[donstaff]

Hi, I'm Don, also a long time Audiokarma.org reader and glad to have stumbled on to this forum. I'm a vintage Marantz fan (1152 DC, 2130, SD 9000) and amore recent PM 6006. I also collect Tivoli.

 

[antcollinet]

Hi, I'm Don, also a long time Audiokarma.org reader and glad to have stumbled on to this forum. I'm a vintage Marantz fan (1152 DC, 2130, SD 9000) and amore recent PM 6006. I also collect Tivoli.

Welcome - I think we are a little different to Audiokarma - hopefully you feel that is in a good way

 

[Raycoupe]

Hi, I"m Ray from the Netherlands and I'm in the process of reviving my audio hobby after 25 years.

Interested playing hi-res audio from my computer so I bought my first cheap DAC, a SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC ES9039Q2M with headphone amp. A quick fix for use with headphones and useful for comparison with expensive DAC's in the future.

But first I have to decide whether to buy a new amp/speaker combo or revise the 30+ year old van Medevoort MA220 and Kef UniQ90's.

 

[antcollinet]

Hi, I"m Ray from the Netherlands and I'm in the process of reviving my audio hobby after 25 years.

Interested playing hi-res audio from my computer so I bought my first cheap DAC, a SMSL RAW-MDA1 DAC ES9039Q2M with headphone amp. A quick fix for use with headphones and useful for comparison with expensive DAC's in the future.

But first I have to decide whether to buy a new amp/speaker combo or revise the 30+ year old van Medevoort MA220 and Kef UniQ90's.

Welcome to the forum. The DAC you've chosen is already audibly perfect. Despite what many will tell you, you can't get better from any DAC at any price.

If you upgrade in the future - do it to get more/better features that you want - but not to get better sound.


(My bold)

 

[Raycoupe]

Welcome to the forum. The DAC you've chosen is already audibly perfect. Despite what many will tell you, you can't get better from any DAC at any price.

If you upgrade in the future - do it to get more/better features that you want - but not to get better sound.


(My bold)

That's what I've been reading here and other websites. And I fully agree on the part of the dac chip.
When it comes to usb inputs, opamp chips, power supply and signal paths am not fully convinced there isn't room for improvement.

And that's exactly why I already bought this little dac. I will rip a couple of my most beloved audio cd's to uncompressed wav so I can compare high end CD players and Dac's against this little Chinese fella in hifi stores. And for use with headphones while I take my time researching options.

 

[smygolf]

I have missed this thread, Sry !
I am Johan, live in Sweden and born, well Loong ago..
My dealings with HiFi started at a young age and primarely a music lover so in some regards the "machines" are secondery.

It has not always been that way, i had my time as High End fanatic and it was room acoustic that open my eyes for quality equipment.
Usually my ears and quality goes hand in hand, when it does not my ears decide if it is good or bad (for me)
And i have never felt the urge to convert owners of expensive but bad equipment, same with cable fanatic.
Well i could not care less

 

[antcollinet]

That's what I've been reading here and other websites. And I fully agree on the part of the dac chip.
When it comes to usb inputs, opamp chips, power supply and signal paths am not fully convinced there isn't room for improvement.

And that's exactly why I already bought this little dac. I will rip a couple of my most beloved audio cd's to uncompressed wav so I can compare high end CD players and Dac's against this little Chinese fella in hifi stores. And for use with headphones while I take my time researching options.

When a device is measured - it is not just the DAC chip that is measured. The signal comes in on one of the ineterfaces you have just mentioned - eventually goes through the dac chip, and then through all the analogue circuits following the DAC. The measurement is done on the output of the device - so the performance of all those things you mention are included in the measurement.

Still audibly perfect.

Hope that helps.

 

[Raycoupe]

When a device is measured - it is not just the DAC chip that is measured. The signal comes in on one of the ineterfaces you have just mentioned - eventually goes through the dac chip, and then through all the analogue circuits following the DAC. The measurement is done on the output of the device - so the performance of all those things you mention are included in the measurement.

Still audibly perfect.

Hope that helps.

Yes, I know. Complementary I read some reviews of people and comparing it with other headphone amps. Since there was no way I could experience that myself until I bought it.

It will arrive tomorrow but I will not base my opinion listening to it with my B&W Px7s3 headphones. Those are basically good but very popular music minded headphones that sound impressive (with a bit of the bass and treble turned down to make it flat), but they will not produce a really good sound stage with lots of separation between violins, voices, french horns and trumpets. When in the same or high frequency range things start getting muddy, it's not very transparent. Still sounds pretty good, picked them over other popular choices like sony xm5's, Sennheizer momentum and Bose ultra headphones, but I don't think these kind of headphones are really satisfying for audiophiles. Great for mp3's but not hi-res audio. I can see myself upgrading to better headphones in the future.

What I'm missing in tests/reviews here is an important factor, in my opinion. And that is phase accuracy of the signal on both channels. The tests here are about frequency response (very important), distortion (very imp.), noise (less important) and watts. What about the phase of both channels? Are they 100% the same? Do they stay the same after amplification? That really depends on how the used pre-amps and filters are constructed. That's what makes some equipment a lot more expensive then others. While something like a Topping DX9 is probably overpriced (but very good looking I must admit), I bet it actually will sound more enjoyable than my cheap dac simply by using more expensive power source, amp and filter components.

For me the big question is, how much better have those component become in 30 years? For all I know these things are pretty perfect aswell at low prices. In the past we built discrete channels and balance them for each and every single piece of equiment by measurements an tweaking filters. No preamp or poweramp left the store straight from the factory without checking. Since I'm missing phase accuracy information in the tests performed here, I couldn't tell without actually listening and I don't have acces to testing equipment anymore.

But in my search for renewing my sound system I will use my ears, since that's the only thing that counts.

I really would like to compare this little dac with something like the new Teac UD-507 if I get the chance.

In a couple of days I will have my ears tested to start with. I'm 53 yo now and probably my hearing is no longer as acute as in my twenties. I want to know before I start bugging hifi stores to demonstrate equipment.

 

[antcollinet]

Yes, I know. Complementary I read some reviews of people and comparing it with other headphone amps. Since there was no way I could experience that myself until I bought it.

It will arrive tomorrow but I will not base my opinion listening to it with my B&W Px7s3 headphones. Those are basically good but very popular music minded headphones that sound impressive (with a bit of the bass and treble turned down to make it flat), but they will not produce a really good sound stage with lots of separation between violins, voices, french horns and trumpets. When in the same or high frequency range things start getting muddy, it's not very transparent. Still sounds pretty good, picked them over other popular choices like sony xm5's, Sennheizer momentum and Bose ultra headphones, but I don't think these kind of headphones are really satisfying for audiophiles. Great for mp3's but not hi-res audio. I can see myself upgrading to better headphones in the future.

What I'm missing in tests/reviews here is an important factor, in my opinion. And that is phase accuracy of the signal on both channels. The tests here are about frequency response (very important), distortion (very imp.), noise (less important) and watts. What about the phase of both channels? Are they 100% the same? Do they stay the same after amplification? That really depends on how the used pre-amps and filters are constructed. That's what makes some equipment a lot more expensive then others. While something like a Topping DX9 is probably overpriced (but very good looking I must admit), I bet it actually will sound more enjoyable than my cheap dac simply by using more expensive power source, amp and filter components.

For me the big question is, how much better have those component become in 30 years? For all I know these things are pretty perfect aswell at low prices. In the past we built discrete channels and balance them for each and every single piece of equiment by measurements an tweaking filters. No preamp or poweramp left the store straight from the factory without checking. Since I'm missing phase accuracy information in the tests performed here, I couldn't tell without actually listening and I don't have acces to testing equipment anymore.

But in my search for renewing my sound system I will use my ears, since that's the only thing that counts.

I really would like to compare this little dac with something like the new Teac UD-507 if I get the chance.

In a couple of days I will have my ears tested to start with. I'm 53 yo now and probably my hearing is no longer as acute as in my twenties. I want to know before I start bugging hifi stores to demonstrate equipment.

We are going badly off topic here - yeah, I know, I started it - if you want to continue this discussion we should probably take it elsewhere - and leave this thread for peeps to say "Hi"

 

[Raycoupe]

We are going badly off topic here - yeah, I know, I started it - if you want to continue this discussion we should probably take it elsewhere - and leave this thread for peeps to say "Hi"

Agreed, see https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-class-a-amp-and-speakers.64776/#post-2373575
At least that's my topic about revising and/or buying new stuff.

 

[RCVTech]

Just saying hello. We are a small audio maker from Toronto, Canada.

 

[antcollinet]

Just saying hello. We are a small audio maker from Toronto, Canada.

Welcome to the forum.

If you contact @amirm , they'll give you a "Manufacturer" Badge.
(see : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rs-reviewer-with-commercial-endorsement.18155)

 

[Sono]

This is a 2-channel guy basically, saying Hi to everybody around here

 

[Multicore]

This is a 2-channel guy basically, saying Hi to everybody around here

Hi Sono.

 

[Gingerkid]

Hello from the Atlanta area. Last week when I purchased my first measurement microphone (the Dayton USBC) I figured it was time to join here . It’s been fun learning about the hobby through a more scientific lens, thanks to all of the contributors.

 

[JSmith]

hello

saying Hi to everybody

Hello from the Atlanta area.

JSmith

 

[luca18]

Hi, I'm Luca from Italy. I'm a beginner and a fan of vintage, from a Technics SU-Z1 ST-Z1 M5 and SB-F3 speakers, to aHarman-Kardon PM655Vxi TD292 TU9200 and Canton Quinto 520 speakers, and the latestHarman-Kardon HK505 HK2500 HK500 and Dynaco A25 speakers, with the addition of a Topping E30 and a WiiM Pro Plus.But I've recently made another change, always within my limited means, by selling the three HK pieces. I have a Yamaha RS700 amplifier on the way and I'd like to try it with the Dynacos, and I'd like to break away from vintage...this forum is amazing, I recently discovered it, and it's a pleasure to read and learn. I've made a small donation. Thanks you and forgive my English translation.

 

[slimjids]

Grettings to everyone, hope all is well.
I’m Slimjids from the Caribbean and I’ve been involved in audio for quite some time.
Initially was searching for for gear to transfer vinyl and came across a couple of reviews for equipment.
I’m not sure here is the place so forgive me in advance but I’m looking for professional service in Germany/UK and United States who specialize in transferring of vinyl into digital formats. Part of their process must include cleaning of the said vinyl so if anyone can point me in the right direction that will be great.Bless

 

[Nostradamus]

Hi all! I´m the new guy

I have been reading here for years, but finally decided to register.

It is such a nice change to read of people discussing FACTS and not feelings.

I care very much about quality playback, and music is never in the background; when I listen. I LISTEN!

I hate snake oil with a passion.

 

[antcollinet]

Hi all! I´m the new guy

I have been reading here for years, but finally decided to register.

It is such a nice change to read of people discussing FACTS and not feelings.

I care very much about quality playback, and music is never in the background; when I listen. I LISTEN!

I hate snake oil with a passion.

Welcome - sounds like you'll fit right in here.