[DZetye]

My Sabaj Da3 is up for sale in the classified circles if anybody is looking for one

[wushuliu]

Has anyone modified the Sabaj Da3?  If yes, what were the modification and how did the sound change?  Is there a way to disable the filter?  I want to try the DAC with HQPlayer and would like to disable the filter on the DAC and leverage the HQP filters.

The filters can not be disabled. I'm not sure what DAC would allow you to do that. There's always some kind of filter. Unless for HQPlayer you mean something like the iFi Dacs that have a dedicated DSD chip for the least amount of processing.

[zerohour88]

Hello all, was interested in the SMSL IDEA/Sabaj DA2, but I recently came across this:

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c.w4002-15493940501.70.763e1cfaRvjmOk&id=568408593852



Weiliang/Breeze Audio SE4 USB DAC ES9028 with SA9226 USB chip

Based on the specs, could it be even better and somehow much, much cheaper?

[CallMeMike]

Hello all, was interested in the SMSL IDEA/Sabaj DA2, but I recently came across this:

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c.w4002-15493940501.70.763e1cfaRvjmOk&id=568408593852



Weiliang/Breeze Audio SE4 USB DAC ES9028 with SA9226 USB chip

Based on the specs, could it be even better and somehow much, much cheaper?

I'm already a very satisfied user of the Sabaj DA3 (helped brilliantly by an iDefender) but, at the spur of the moment, I've ordered a Weiland Audio SE4 DAC from here:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-SE4-PC-Phone-USB-Decoder-SA9226-ES9028Q2M-Audio-DAC-Support-DSD-New/273266457017?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'll share the listening experience as soon as possible... currently waiting patiently for the arrival of the package dispatched from the Far East...

[zerohour88]

I'm already a very satisfied user of the Sabaj DA3 (helped brilliantly by an iDefender) but, at the spur of the moment, I've ordered a Weiland Audio SE4 DAC from here:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-SE4-PC-Phone-USB-Decoder-SA9226-ES9028Q2M-Audio-DAC-Support-DSD-New/273266457017?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'll share the listening experience as soon as possible... currently waiting patiently for the arrival of the package dispatched from the Far East...

Weiliang/Breeze Audio released a similarly spec E19 but with a built-in battery and more power (judging from the op-amp in pics included). 

that dual-dac DA3 seems amazing value though, as with the SMSL IQ.

[karnana]

Investing in the cleanest power supply you can manage outweighs the value of the dac. This Lipo4(?)/LT3045 battery option showed up recently. I don't see the iPower competing with it, especially for the cost.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LT3045-Battery-Regulated-Power-Supply-5V/273135946356?hash=item3f982bca74:g:vFIAAOSweq5av1nP

If you have the skills and want to really take your dac to a new level, replace the iPower with not one, but *two* LT3045 low noise regulators in series. I have a 6v board that feeds a 5v board. I can't overstate the impact. Floored me.

I tried to buy that now the item is getting upgraded I don't know why. Can anyone explain what does he/she means? It doesn't sound like an "upgrade". It sounds like a different thing.

[randytsuch]

I tried to buy that now the item is getting upgraded I don't know why. Can anyone explain what does he/she means? It doesn't sound like an "upgrade". It sounds like a different thing.

Did he change the listing to reflect this?
I see a listing for a lifepo4 PS for $36.66 + 1.85 shipping.
If this is the original listing still, sounds like bait and switch.  I'd complain to the seller and demand the PS listed at the original price, then escalate to ebay if he cant or won't comply.

And I can't really tell what the change is from that description.

[karnana]

Did he change the listing to reflect this?
I see a listing for a lifepo4 PS for $36.66 + 1.85 shipping.
If this is the original listing still, sounds like bait and switch.  I'd complain to the seller and demand the PS listed at the original price, then escalate to ebay if he cant or won't comply.

And I can't really tell what the change is from that description.

Doesn't look like bait and switch. now its $45 + 12 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-LT3045-5V-500MA-Battery-Regulator-Power-Supply-For-Home-Audio/312088447246?hash=item48a9ebc90e:g:P9cAAOSwv2taqxcz

They are going to send me the images in a day or two.

Update: They didn't for 2 weeks so I'm canceling my order.

[CallMeMike]

I'm already a very satisfied user of the Sabaj DA3 (helped brilliantly by an iDefender) but, at the spur of the moment, I've ordered a Weiland Audio SE4 DAC from here:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-SE4-PC-Phone-USB-Decoder-SA9226-ES9028Q2M-Audio-DAC-Support-DSD-New/273266457017?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'll share the listening experience as soon as possible... currently waiting patiently for the arrival of the package dispatched from the Far East...

I've received the £38 SE4 USB DAC and and had plenty of time to test it... No driver needed for Linux (Mint 19 in my case). No driver needed for Windows 10 but Windows 7 will require the supplied Savitech driver.

The enclosure is well-made with no design frills, just functional look. The metal of choice is aluminium.

It works fine with low impedance headphones and it has plenty of volume driving AKG K702 cans (60 Ohm). The midrange has more presence than DA3, making the sound brighter which in turn makes it slightly uncomfortable for prolongued listening IMHO.

DA3 has better instruments separation, wider soundstage and 'darker' sound. Mind you it is not a 'night and day' difference...

For testing I've used a range of digital files: 320 kbps mp3, 16/24 bit flac and DSD64/128. All performed very well; I don't have any DSD256/512 native files but i've upsampled in JRiver to DSD512 and the sound was fine. I am not going to go in any detail over whether the sound is better when upsampling to the highest DSD sampling available in the playback application over the native file playback..

I've left the SE4 running music files quite a few nights for 'running in' the components. No ABX testing, just my brain and ear perception with the unavoidable volume change pitfalls... The sound is more than acceptable, the SE4 is a good choice for somebody that wants to play any mainstream music files for a very low price.

Sabaj DA3 still stays as a favourite budget USB DAC in my book 



 

[zerohour88]

I've received the £38 SE4 USB DAC and and had plenty of time to test it... No driver needed for Linux (Mint 19 in my case). No driver needed for Windows 10 but Windows 7 will require the supplied Savitech driver.

The enclosure is well-made with no design frills, just functional look. The metal of choice is aluminium.

It works fine with low impedance headphones and it has plenty of volume driving AKG K702 cans (60 Ohm). The midrange has more presence than DA3, making the sound brighter which in turn makes it slightly uncomfortable for prolongued listening IMHO.

DA3 has better instruments separation, wider soundstage and 'darker' sound. Mind you it is not a 'night and day' difference...

For testing I've used a range of digital files: 320 kbps mp3, 16/24 bit flac and DSD64/128. All performed very well; I don't have any DSD256/512 native files but i've upsampled in JRiver to DSD512 and the sound was fine. I am not going to go in any detail over whether the sound is better when upsampling to the highest DSD sampling available in the playback application over the native file playback..

I've left the SE4 running music files quite a few nights for 'running in' the components. No ABX testing, just my brain and ear perception with the unavoidable volume change pitfalls... The sound is more than acceptable, the SE4 is a good choice for somebody that wants to play any mainstream music files for a very low price.

Sabaj DA3 still stays as a favourite budget USB DAC in my book 

wew, granted that the DA3 costs nearly triple the SE4, so that's quite a good performance already. Basically namesake of this thread, quality DAC for peanuts.

[CallMeMike]

wew, granted that the DA3 costs nearly triple the SE4, so that's quite a good performance already. Basically namesake of this thread, quality DAC for peanuts.

I paid £38 for SE4 from the quoted supplier (Far East) and £76 for DA3 from Amazon UK...

[zerohour88]

I paid £38 for SE4 from the quoted supplier (Far East) and £76 for DA3 from Amazon UK...

oh, the SE4 is quite marked up there. SE4 costs around rmb188 while the DA3 is rmb550 in china.

these are the links to their official store, if anyone who wants to test purchasing them using an agent/forwarder. I prefer using an agent since I can ask them to contact the seller for more info.

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c.w4002-15493940501.70.763e1cfaRvjmOk&id=568408593852


https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c-s.w4002-13818111186.17.399642e8YkSq0h&id=555795685148

[envydd]

Anyone compared Topping D50 and DX7S here?

[zerohour88]

Anyone compared Topping D50 and DX7S here?

not sure if this fits your requirement of a comparison, but ASR measured both units recently (also, not sure if I'm allowed to post links to other forums, do remind me if its not, thank you)

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-d50-dac.2403/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-dx7s-dac-and-headphone-amp.2378/

[envydd]

Thx. Read those. However they are close and are measurements. My use is for a dac and preamp. I have power amps already - nuprime!

Want to see if the cheap DACs sound better to my ears.

[karnana]

I made a usb stick with a lt3045 board that looks exactly like isilencer. Now there is no need for idefender and ipower. Cleaning power made as much if not more difference than isilencer! Lt3045 rules!

[viggen]

anyone have experience with this dac?

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-G2-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01N14SY65

[wushuliu]

anyone have experience with this dac?

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-G2-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01N14SY65

Uses an older Wolfson chip and analog volume control. Was never a fan of the Wolfson chips myself. Some people like the C-Media chip more than XMOS. The selling point seems to be the 5.7v to drive difficult headphones and amps. Other than that I'd say it's over-priced. But who knows, so much has changed in ten years. Maybe the Wolfson sounds better now with a good power supply and better software...

[zerohour88]

anyone have experience with this dac?

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-OriGen-G2-Resolution-Preamplifier/dp/B01N14SY65

looked around quite a lot of impressions on the net since I like the design, most of them liked it with no glaring problems. The main thing that cropped up was driver issues, which may have been solved since it was released a year ago.

ASR had a faulty unit of the old G+ (different USB controller and DAC chip), unfortunately, but even then, it performed quite admirably:
https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/budget-dac-review-micca-origen-usb-dac.1476/

the pesky USB issues probably prompted them to change the controller

[Tom Bombadil]

Audio Advisor is selling the Music Hall DAC15.2 for $99.95.    Not the latest in technology but it offers a lot for the money. 

    Texas Instruments (Burr-Brown) PCM 1796
    24-bit, 192 kHz processor (24-bit, 96 kHz digital processing via USB input; 24-bit, 192 kHz digital processing via optical and coaxial inputs)
    Easily connects to PC and Apple computers
    Ultra-quiet external power supply
    extruded aluminum chassis

Connections

    3 digital inputs (USB, optical, coaxial)
    1 digital output (coaxial) – converts USB and optical digital input signals to coaxial digital output
    1 pair (RCA) analog outputs

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MHDAC15.2