Which DAC measurements do you like to see next?

[NirreFirre]

I'd like to see a few more multichannel ones, preferable with HDMI input(s) for us with only family rooms, space-non-huge-AVR-restrictions and compatibility with gaming consoles and so on but still want some great audio (Dirac Studio on HTPC as source etc).

The price span is huge so I think it would be interesting if the differences are in both design/build quality/QA and components used or if one area dominates over the other. Who knows, an ebaybox could contain a good idea but bad execution?

In price ascending order;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bytecc-HM-CV033K-HDMI-4K2K-LPCM-7-1-Extractor-/251941513913
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-BlackbirdTM-HDMI-Audio-Extractor/dp/B01B5FR722/
https://www.amazon.com/SKSL-Digital-Converter-Support-Blue-Ray/dp/B019RF7ZVA/
https://www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/evolve-ii-4k-hdmi-v2-0-multi-channel-dac/
http://www.cypeurope.com/store/stor...7.1-with-built-in-Repeater-4K-HDCP2.2-HDMI2.0
https://www.iotaenterprises.co.uk/products/iotavx-7-1-4k-hdr-home-theatre-av-processor

 

[nelamvr6]

PrimaLuna now makes a tube DAC, I'd be curious to see how that measures.

 

[Veri]

PrimaLuna now makes a tube DAC, I'd be curious to see how that measures.

Badly

 

[ninetylol]

Loxjie D30.

The D10 was awesome for the price.

 

[nelamvr6]

Badly

Hard knowing without measuring. We may be surprised.

 

[Veri]

Hard knowing without measuring. We may be surprised.

It's a tube. In a DAC.

 

[nelamvr6]

It's a tube. In a DAC.

That's not a very objectivist attitude. I don't think that assuming the outcome is part of the scientific method, is it?

 

[Veri]

That's not a very objectivist attitude. I don't think that assuming the outcome is part of the scientific method, is it?

-there are no specs whatsoever, that's a red flag https://www.primaluna-usa.com/primaluna-evo-100-tube-dac
-this product in particular has been discussed before https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/what-is-a-tube-clock.7418/

 

[Veri]

That's not a very objectivist attitude. I don't think that assuming the outcome is part of the scientific method, is it?

Found measurements. https://www.hifinews.com/content/primaluna-evo-100-tube-dac-usb-tube-dac-lab-report. >1% distortion at 0dBfs. 105dB SNR at max volume. Subpar jitter (although no audible issue). There isn't a single thing objectively good about this overpriced aberration of a DAC.

 

[NeLey169]

http://www.rockna-audio.com/products/wavedream-dac
Rockna wavedream ac, pls review and measurement this one

 

[Harmonie]

+1,
I would be curious, we are lacking R2R designs here, just wonder is measuring well. 3 transformers, very high output, rather too much and strange.

 

[ninetylol]

Questyle CMA Twelve

Or any Questyle product. Seems there are no measurements whatsoever. And they still put a AKM 4490 in their top of the line 1500$ device. Bit lame.

 

[Veri]

And they still put a AKM 4490 in their top of the line 1500$ device. Bit lame.

Pretty sure the Twelve was out before AK4493 was out in any case. But yes I guess they could have worked around an AK4497. But honestly, RME ADI-2 used AK4490 for the longest time and it can still work very well.

 

[Deleted member 20475]

• TempoTec Sonata BHD
• YinLvMei S3
• FiiO Q3

• E1DA 9038D
• Shanling UA2 (Upcoming)

 

[ShiZo]

Pretty sure the Twelve was out before AK4493 was out in any case. But yes I guess they could have worked around an AK4497. But honestly, RME ADI-2 used AK4490 for the longest time and it can still work very well.

I liked it more with the 4490 somehow...

 

[Veri]

I liked it more with the 4490 somehow...

Heresy!

 

[ShiZo]

I know seriously. I didn't like the high frequency tones and when looking at the multitone it seems that they do have more distortion from the original. But I'm not supposed to be able to hear that pretty sure, but it is a strange coincidence. Look at how clean the upper frequencies are with the original though.

4490:

4493:

I know that's supposed to be impossible to hear, but I didn't like the highs as much as the first one for whatever reason (before seeing measurements). Distortion in low frequencies doesn't matter as much to from what I understand. So even though the first one starts higher it is well below -120 even below -130 on the rest of the measurement.

 

[stevenswall]

Cellphones and dongles.

Might not be super useful with most major phone manufacturers purposefully choosing to exclude something the majority of their users own without using a dongle (wired headphones) but I'll bet some here shop for older phones with headphone jacks and avoid the dozen dongle life.

Hopefully those that like the lack of a headphone jack enjoy their extra 15mAh of battery life, about 1.08 minutes.

Not sure how many people use computers as a source, and it would likely be a burden unless someone helped, but graphics cards and audio cars perhaps if there are really common ones.

 

[lvau]

Audioprobe Spartan A (€ 123) is a pretty good USB DAC/ADC with balanced and headphone outputs.

http://audio-probe.com/en/product/audio-interface-en/spartan-a-en/

Hello,

I can absolutely second the Audioprobe Spartan A for one of the next reviews/tests. It´s a great interface in terms of perceived sound quality, driver support, latency, connectors, build quality and it measures very well at least in RMAA (up to par with my old E-MU 0404 USB which was replaced by this one now). I´ve been able to get it for €89 including VAT here in Germany in September 2020, which is a steal. Some specs/measurements:

DA/AD: AK4621EF (AKM Semiconductor Inc.)

Latency in Windows 10 (2004 / 20H1) via ASIO drivers: 4.7ms without any crackles (one of the problems of my old E-MU 0404 USB), which is one of the lowest I ever had, not even RME could beat that. Latest driver update: September 2020

RMAA Measurements: http://e1mrba.sytes.net:8082/~mr/spartanA.htm

Additional stereo crosstalk measurements (via Audio Precision APx525) are attached (as they are missing in the RMAA measurements).

Really eager to see Amir´s measurements on this budget USB audio interface, as it costs the same as the "famous" UMC202HD / UMC404HD but seems to be better in measurements, especially on the AD part, which seems to be weak on the Behringer.

Thank you.

 

[frogmeat69]

Hope maybe you can get your hands on the new iFi micro iDSD Signature model when it's available - https://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-idsd-signature/

Not that it will do any better than the Black Label, but who knows