I'd rather not ESS DAC.
I have a Lotoo PAW 5000 MKII with AKM DAC, and I really love as it sounds. Is there a recommended good sounding DAC under $500 with AKM? I know, this is another topic...
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Which DAC measurements do you like to see next?
- Thread starter amirm
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I'd rather not ESS DAC.
I have a Lotoo PAW 5000 MKII with AKM DAC, and I really love as it sounds. Is there a recommended good sounding DAC under $500 with AKM? I know, this is another topic...
Percheron
Member
Has anyone tried the marantz dac-1? It looks nice but I haven’t found much in the way of reviews
Dude, you mean you don't want a DAC that reach the limit measurable of the AP? (hold my Element X)
OK, seriously: The chip is NOT the only way to evaluate the performance of a DAC (Or its "sound" for what it worth). There are plenty of poor ESS implementations, either AKM or such...
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Remenber French blog HD Fever/AV César measured it with poor results. Especially the FR which showed a massive drop from 15Khz (or even less).
Percheron
Member
Disregard, just found something. Don’t know why it didn’t show up in my previous searches.
ASR reviewed the HD AMP1, not the HD DAC1.
Percheron
Member
Got it, surprised they don’t share the same chips. Ok, my question is re-asked, has anyone played with the DAC1?
I know, but (I know so) AKM has no flaws like an ESS hump. Maybe it is less sensitive to the implementation. That's why I'm reluctant.
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Veri
Master Contributor
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Just check out the D70: AKM, balanced, many inputs; basically anything someone would want from a DAC
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...and-measurements-of-the-topping-d70-dac.7694/
It's occasionally on massdrop with some discount, too.
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OP
- Thread Starter
- #1,435
Yes, the box recently arrived but I have not yet unpacked it.
Gradius
Addicted to Fun and Learning
Me too!
I would love to see the measurements of these cards:
- Motu Ultralite mk4 (the ESS version!)
- Sound Blaster AE-9
- SMSL M300
- SMSL M500 (once available)
- Topping DX7 Pro (once available)
- Focusrite Clarett 2Pre (I have looked at the measurements on audiofanzine but those are far from being comprehensive)
and also these amps:
- Crown CT8150
- Hypex NC250 (for example the Audiophonics implementation)
Many thanks in advance
- Motu Ultralite mk4 (the ESS version!)
- Sound Blaster AE-9
- SMSL M300
- SMSL M500 (once available)
- Topping DX7 Pro (once available)
- Focusrite Clarett 2Pre (I have looked at the measurements on audiofanzine but those are far from being comprehensive)
and also these amps:
- Crown CT8150
- Hypex NC250 (for example the Audiophonics implementation)
Many thanks in advance
Having laptop headphone outputs measurements would be a really useful as reference
Most interesting ones are:
Most interesting ones are:
- Any new MacBook with touch ID (they seem to have some audio components integrated into T2 chip)
- Any older MacBook, non-retina Air probably is the most widespread option
- Dell Xps 13 (as a very popular Windows laptop)
- Anything else, especially if options above are not available
OP
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