Which DAC measurements do you like to see next?

[q3cpma]

That is a good round up of low cost interfaces. How about creating a new thread with a poll to see which one is of most interest to measure. I will buy that, and maybe the second place finisher to test.

Here it is. I added other interesting ones, in particular the Audient id4 since it claims an exceptional dynamic range.

 

[chalex]

Hello , if it possible -help me to find a little bit of truthful information about the new "dark horse" Singxer SDA-2 . There are no reviews of this device anywhere . I barely managed to get a photo of the interior of the SDA-2 from the seller . And I was surprised to find that inside the Sigxer SDA-2 looks like a Yulong DA10 . Aliexpress Singxer SDA-2 . Thank You .ebay SDA-2

 

[Veri]

And I was surprised to find that inside the Sigxer SDA-2 looks like a Yulong DA10 . Aliexpress Singxer SDA-2 . Thank You .ebay SDA-2

I disagree it looks like the Yulong. I mean yes they both have toroids and implement the same chip, but the SDA has Singxer's typical 'galvanical' isolation on digital side, other than that a simple proper differential/dual mono approach on the ak4497.

About its performance, if I recall correctly they have in-house measurements which measured worse than both Topping D70 and the Yulong. So unless you are a particular fan of Singxer and want their latest, I think their previous SDA-1 with AK4493 is the better choice if you can get it on discount anywhere.

 

[AnestisMania]

Hello there Mr.Amirm the new sound blaster ae 9 just came out and im kinda excited to see something like this... I was looking to buy a sound card like the Sound Blaster g6 but ill wait for your review on the ae9 it might take a while with a price tag of 350$.. but it will be interesting to see if it holds up to our expectations

Thank you for your time

 

[VMAT4]

I own an Arcam irDAC-II (DAC+Headphone Amp). And, I wouldn't mind seeing how it measures (tests).

 

[thehun]

Audioquest Cobalt, the usual suspects in the audio press have been drooling all over it the last few days.

 

[maxxevv]

Audioquest Cobalt, the usual suspects in the audio press have been drooling all over it the last few days.

Seems very expensive for an in-line USB DAC Amp though. Other than the size, I don't think it will outperform the NX4 DSD, which costs half !

 

[ahofer]

What measurements do we want? Slam, pace, rhythm, and air please! How come we don't get those specs here?

 

[thehun]

Seems very expensive for an in-line USB DAC Amp though. Other than the size, I don't think it will outperform the NX4 DSD, which costs half !

Yeah I don't expect it do well for the money either, and since I have an LG V30 phone which would probably do as well or better than the G7 Amir has measured I'm certainly not on the market for this, it's more of a "fun request" than a serious one I must admit.

 

[VMAT4]

Seems very expensive for an in-line USB DAC Amp though. Other than the size, I don't think it will outperform the NX4 DSD, which costs half !

It's all about the MQA baby! Don't'cha just love it? Or, is that a rip-off?

 

[DosThou]

Their Dragonfly Red wasn't too flattering https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rements-of-dacport-hd-and-dragonfly-red.5977/

Not expecting much from the new one.

 

[Music1969]

Hi @amirm

iFi's little xDSD.

USD399 at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/xDSD-Bluetooth-DAC-Headphone-Audio/dp/B07C4TLPQN

Measured by HiFi News here:

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/xDSD_HiFiNewsReviewOutstaning.low-res.pdf

https://www.hifinews.com/content/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-headphone-ampdac-lab-report-0


Would be nice to see how your AP-555 measurements compared to HiFi News.

Despite being a portal with built in battery, it does have a 'desktop mode' for permanent setup use.

Has SPDIF (3.5mm combination digital coax and TOSlink) input and USB input of course.

 

[Veri]

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/xDSD_HiFiNewsReviewOutstaning.low-res.pdf
https://www.hifinews.com/content/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-headphone-ampdac-lab-report-0

Meanwhile the underlying digital/line performance is superb, the DSD1793 DAC delivering a low 0.0003% distortion at –30dBFs/1kHz, increasing to just 0.0015%/20kHz.

Seems a little better than iFi's previous offerings, if correct

 

[Music1969]

Seems a little better than iFi's previous offerings, if correct

Yep, the "if correct" part is why would be great to have Amir measure one with his AP-555 setup.

Hopefully someone in the US has one for a loan.

 

[trotos]

DacberryPRO+
https://www.osaelectronics.com/product/dacberry-pro-plus/
allo revolution (not sure if it is available)

 

[Music1969]

allo revolution (not sure if it is available)

Can you share a link which has info? What are the features/specs?

 

[Veri]

Can you share a link which has info? What are the features/specs?

I think it will be their DAC (non-RPi),

 

[Music1969]

I think it will be their DAC (non-RPi),

Noted. I was later able to see mention of it on this thread:

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendor-s-bazaar/337859-shanti-dual-lps-5v-3a-5v-1-5a-20.html

 

[Simon740]

what about Matrix audio element M ?

regards,
Simon

 

[eliash]

For RCA, all you need is a pair of cheap adapters or a cable.
https://www.amazon.com/WOVTE-Stereo...=1561960006&s=gateway&sprefix=jack+rc&sr=8-16
For what I can see, there is also no tone control and no remote control support.
But that's still 2/3 the price... and less than half the price of the Pro.
By the way, the headphone Amp, if I understand it correctly, may work fully in analog domain

RME claims ADI-2 fs has the same DAC chips and analog circuitry as the DAC/PRO onboard, therefore same performance up to 192K.
It also includes an ADC, like the PRO, w similar performance promise.
I had ordered one in march, though latest delivery word from them is September (this year!)...anyway I don´t need no mickey mouse displays, tone controls or alterable filters, just hoping for the promised performance. Cables to hook up to the stereo are ready since easter, as well as a linear regulated PS!
- A later test by Amir would be really helpful to see whether its performance is really comparable to the DAC/PRO versions!!!


One late remark regarding missing USB:
I am using 2 boxes w C-Media chips (50bucks each) in both SPDIF/USB directions, they seem to behave bit-perfect up to 24bits, no sound issues.