Which DAC measurements do you like to see next?

[amirm]

Topping MX3!

Now that is one cute device! Seems like it is based on Topping D10. I went ahead and purchased it on Massdrop since one more purchase was needed to get it to $99 and I did that. Won't ship until May though.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[Stump909]

Now that is one cute device! Seems like it is based on Topping D10. I went ahead and purchased it on Massdrop since one more purchase was needed to get it to $99 and I did that. Won't ship until May though.

And welcome to the forum.

Thanks! Been lurking for awhile and really enjoy your reviews.

 

[zephyros]

https://hifimediy.com/uda38pro-usb-dac-es9038pro
I just got mail that they got these in stock. It is at the same price as the Topping D50 but more versatile as it does include a headphone amps. Would be interesting to see if using the ESS9038Pro provides any measurable benefit.

 

[SIY]

Has anyone requested the CEntrance DAC Portable? I did a bunch of measurements on it which showed the DAC part performing very well (the headphone amp, too, within its limits), but I couldn't do everything I wanted because their ASIO driver crashed both the AP and ARTA. I'm mostly curious to see if the 2722's software also crashes from their driver.
I'd be happy to loan you mine, if that will help.

 

[Dro]

Audiotrak Dr DAC3: http://audiotrack.co.kr/en/external/253
DAC+head and pre amp. The interesting part is that it uses a TPA6120 and still allegedly offers 0 ohm output impedance for headphones.

I have used one of its predecessors, the DAC2 DX for a few years now. Last year I bought the DAC3 so I would have one for when I visit my parents. The DAC3 seemed to have a bit more noise, so it became the one for that. From listening tests with IEMs very sensitive to output impedance, it seems to be at least pretty close to 0 ohm. Would be interesting to see how it measures and whether there are any issues introduced by 0 ohm with the TPA6120.

 

[amirm]

Audiotrak Dr DAC3: http://audiotrack.co.kr/en/external/253
DAC+head and pre amp. The interesting part is that it uses a TPA6120 and still allegedly offers 0 ohm output impedance for headphones.

I have used one of its predecessors, the DAC2 DX for a few years now. Last year I bought the DAC3 so I would have one for when I visit my parents. The DAC3 seemed to have a bit more noise, so it became the one for that. From listening tests with IEMs very sensitive to output impedance, it seems to be at least pretty close to 0 ohm. Would be interesting to see how it measures and whether there are any issues introduced by 0 ohm with the TPA6120.

Pretty interesting unit! Love to measure it but at $350, too pricey for me to pull the trigger just now.

Are you willing to loan yours for measurements?

 

[SIY]

See my last sentence.

PM me an address and I'll pack it up.

edit: sorry, misread, it was the other unit you were interested in.

 

[Dro]

Pretty interesting unit! Love to measure it but at $350, too pricey for me to pull the trigger just now.

Are you willing to loan yours for measurements?

I don't have access to it currently and it would probably be a customs nightmare to ship from Europe :/
I might get lucky and move to the US this year, then I would certainly bring it with me and loan it.

Otherwise, they occasionally sell it discounted at around 250 USD.
Edit: Currently selling at 313 USD.

 

[amirm]

Has anyone requested the CEntrance DAC Portable?

I had access to one for a bit of time but unfortunately was not feeling well and forgot to save the results.

 

[amirm]

Otherwise, they occasionally sell it discounted at around 250 USD.
Edit: Currently selling at 313 USD.

Ok, remind me if you see it on sale and I will consider picking it up then. The best price I could find right now is what you list.

 

[beeface]

Apogee Groove maybe? just one of the many Sabre based portable DACs on the market, but from a manufacturer usually associated with pro audio products

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/groove

 

[amirm]

I was quite interested in that until I got to the $300 price. Is there much market/interest in such an expensive little DAC/headphone amp?

 

[Dro]

They sell refurbished ones around 220 USD.

 

[amirm]

I saw that. Even at that price it is considerably higher priced than competing thumb-drive sized DAC/amps.

The reason I wonder about this is that it is not something I want to keep. It is one thing to throw away $50 on a small DAC. It is another to be stuck with a $300 one.

 

[dc655321]

Given the exorbitant pricing this is just wishful thinking, but I would like to see measurements of these (or similar) so-called TOTL DAPs:

Astell & Kern A&ultima sp1000 - $3500
Questyle qp2r - $1300
Lotoo Paw Gold - $1500-2400
Sony W1MA - $3200

Smells like snake oil to me...

 

[amirm]

I measured one of the lower end ones and indeed, it did not do too well: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...of-shozy-alien-digital-audio-player-dap.2058/

That said, love to measure some of the other ones.

 

[DuxServit]

Hi Amir,

Just wanted to say a huge *thank you* for doing all these reviews. Your measurement results have me saved time/money in looking at DACs out there.

With regards to measurements, would love to see results for the Soekris R2R DACs and the PS Audio DACs. (The later admittedly are high-end gear, e.g. DirectStream).

Best.

— Tom—

 

[amirm]

Hi Tom. Welcome aboard and thanks for the kind words. The principal behind Soekris is a member here and promised me a unit to test. Alas, I have not heard any follow up. Do me a favor if you would: contact them on their website and ask them to send one here to be measured. Maybe that makes a difference.

Otherwise, member BE718 here has already measured one of them. Please see: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/soekris-dam1021-r2r-dac-measurements.2324/

 

[DuxServit]

Thanks Amir, great suggestion.

I shall email them to ask for a unit to be sent.

— Tom —

 

[DuxServit]

Email sent to Soekris.