[wushuliu]

wushuliu one guy on headfi reviewed it and said it wasn't quite as good as sabaj da3, but I really wanted something with a remote for volume and that I could use my jay's audio 5v lps on so this was perfect.  I like the sound a lot, seems warmer than the sabaj da3. 

here's a quick video showing the remote changing volume.  it's nice and smooth and responsive
https://youtu.be/wLsQ5BVWPFw

Evidently ASR was informed by SMSL, based on egregious measurements taken, that best performance is obtained by using an external power supply. So I will give that a go before returning.

That is the proper use of measurements: as a tool to diagnose potential defects and rectify performance anomalies.

[wushuliu]

Can confirm the SMSL sounds *much* better with a good external PS and using the coaxial input vs just usb.
OT: I regret getting rid of my Singxer F1. I think having a good usb/spdif converter to coax connection consistently gives cleaner sounding results vs. usb, even if the usb has new xmos converter. Even the cheap F1 knock off I have sounds pretty good.

[karnana]

I gave up on isilencer idefender portable sabaj da3. Disconnects are too often. I'm looking for a "poor mans xDSD" until I buy an iFi xDSD (instead of Chord Mojo). Does anyone know a portable bluetooth dac for peanuts?

Has anyone tried FiiO BTR3 ? is AK376A chip any good? 

[zek]

Has anyone tried this cheap DAC?
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/Nobsound-Mini-DAC-ES9028Q2M-SE4-Amplificatore-Portatile-DSD-HiFi-Audio-Decoder-USB-per-PC-e-il/32884715706.html

[charmerci]

Has anyone tried this cheap DAC?
https://it.aliexpress.com/item/Nobsound-Mini-DAC-ES9028Q2M-SE4-Amplificatore-Portatile-DSD-HiFi-Audio-Decoder-USB-per-PC-e-il/32884715706.html

Looking at that circuit board, I can't see why it would sound any better than any of the other cheap DAC's already listed here.

[baszek]

Looking at that circuit board, I can't see why it would sound any better than any of the other cheap DAC's already listed here.

I have bought it on taobao - still waiting for package - it was sth like ~28$.

[zek]

I have bought it on taobao - still waiting for package - it was sth like ~28$.

Please share your impressions when the package arrives. Thanks in advance.
There are two models - with DSD and without DSD, which you have chosen?

[baszek]

Please share your impressions when the package arrives. Thanks in advance.
There are two models - with DSD and without DSD, which you have chosen?

I have chosen option with DSD - because it uses both sabre chips. Option without DSD is using pcm2706 for USB decoding. You can read more about it few posts below. There are also so comments regarding this DAC.
Sth is wrong with packages from China in my country so it might take some time to deliver. Government made some additional tax post unit targeted at China only.

[zek]

I have chosen option with DSD - because it uses both sabre chips.

Not really, one is Savio and the other is Sabre.

[Letitroll98]

I have bought it on taobao - still waiting for package - it was sth like ~28$.

$53 on Amazon, get it free shipping two days.

[baszek]

That $97 Sabaj Da3 is very tempting.  I don't have anything with the ESS DACs and do have a preamp with balanced inputs.  If it's crap, I could do without burning a C-note, but would be fun to check out.

I will test that chinese SE4 - I bought it because it could be "amazing DACs for peanuts" 28$ I have also bought some time ago some PCM5102 I2S dac for 8$ - it appeared to be better than custom made PCM2704.
I heard some good reviews about TOPPING D30 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-TOPPING-D30-DSD-Audio-Decoder-USB-DAC-Coaxial-Optical-Fiber-XMOS-CS4398-24Bit-192KHz-amplifier/32728107111.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.9.322b3be0ifsYNQ&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_317_10548_10696_10192_453_10084_454_10083_10618_431_10307_10821_10301_537_536_10059_10884_10887_100031_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=bcd063a1-91e5-4464-ba3d-ee57f1e2cae8-1&algo_pvid=bcd063a1-91e5-4464-ba3d-ee57f1e2cae8&transAbTest=ae803_5
but topping is more expensive ~120$ vs 28$. I think it could be my next dac upgrade.

[CallMeMike]

@baszek

The SE4 and the Topping D30 are wide apart in every respect and if you intend to get a D30 (or another more significant USB DAC) later on you'll find out that the REAL cost of that DAC will actually be augmented by the amount of money you've alreadys spent on the SE4 as you'll never go back to the SE4...  In a few words, buying an SE4 is a false money-saving exercise for somebody who intends to purchase a higher spec DAC later on.

I've given my own considerations in regards to SE4 a few months ago (https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=152638.msg1696306#msg1696306). Mind you I've purchased that SE4 DAC with the purpose of introducing a good friend to the world of standalone USB DACs and HiRes digital files and such a gift for his birthday anniversary was a very good idea...

The 'avalanche' of low cost USB DACs from Far East is definately ruining the perception of what it should be the starting point of 'good sound' IMHO.

[zek]

I will test that chinese SE4 - I bought it because it could be "amazing DACs for peanuts" 28$

Did you get your SE-4 DAC?

[zek]

Every day something new.
It looks nice inside and outside. 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Finished-ES9038Q2M-Fiber-Coaxial-XMOS208-USB-Input-DAC-Decoder-LED-screen-HiFi-DAC-supports-DSD-2019/32965497522.html?spm=a2g0y.10010108.1000001.8.294f1022IuqwOt&transAbTest=ae803_4&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0%2Csearchweb201602_4_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_100031_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_433_10618_431_10307_537_536%2Csearchweb201603_6%2CppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid=50cf0be3-5e33-49ec-8717-3fea07542f73&algo_expid=50cf0be3-5e33-49ec-8717-3fea07542f73-33

[baszek]

Did you get your SE-4 DAC?

Yep. I was testing it whole day with TPA6120 + superlux HD330 headphones - and to be honest, I think that my DIY PCM2702 is better , but SE4 definitely plays louder (might be some higher line-level output or sth) and is quite good for portable use with android. Most of my music is 16bit 44100Hz, so probably I will stay with my old DAC and try to find sth different.
I noticed also that sometimes musics gets distorted and I found similar comment on alliexpress:
"Shipping was about 8 week. Surprisingly good DAC! For my ears, better than any XMOS+AK4490 or PCM179x/PCM510x DAC. I can't beleive, how this real economy eletronic design could sounding well. It has only one 12MHz system oscillator. The ES9028Q2M need an 100MHz oscillator or high freq clock from I2S (at least 192*FS) for high samle rate playback. Because it's missing, this DAC only could work with up to 96kHz sample rate well, above this, became very noisy. It's work well with android phones, just plug and play. For Win7, driver needed, you can find the latest driver if you google for "audiophonics NX2s driver" than download the 4.98M driver file. DS and ASIO working well, but it freeze with WASAPI."

I will probably sell it or leave for phone use.
I am thinking now about topping D30 or D10 (my friend bought D10 - so I will have it for few days for testing).

[wushuliu]

Every day something new.
It looks nice inside and outside. 

Uh oh! Thanks for the link. Let's use a tiny url for this instead of that long one:
https://tinyurl.com/ycapoooa

Amazing indeed. The turnaround cycle is now cannibalizing the ES9038Q2M options since ESS has no other top chips except the PROs and those have not come down in price. So true to my 6mo cycle estimates we are now seeing *features* being added to these dacs and then halving the price. Paid $400 for a Pro-Ject with Coaxial last year? Oops, Topping and SMSL got it down to $250 earlier this year. Paid $250 for the Topping or SMSL? Oops, now we have a similar DAC at $120. XMOS 208 USB, Optical, Coax, OPA1612 opamps, and accepts external supply. All for $120. Unbelievable.

But here's what I like about this one: easy to mod. Nice and open layout. Voltage regulators and clocks are nice and accessible. Only one ESS chip, so imagine next cycle will have dual chips for the same price. At this price though there's no reason not to get one just as a backup/spare dac.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

For another $100 you can get a Pro-Ject DAC Box S2 Plus that is from a reputable company although probably still made in china-

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PRDBXS2P&variation=BLK&gclid=CjwKCAiAyrXiBRAjEiwATI95mb6-5XIntzXD9OK67WUryR8FO7e14XTFBd1JAmrEmm4vMB_XAYjtTBoCei0QAvD_BwE

[zek]

Yep. I was testing it whole day with TPA6120 + superlux HD330 headphones - and to be honest, I think that my DIY PCM2702 is better ,

Many thanks for info.

[wushuliu]

For another $100 you can get a Pro-Ject DAC Box S2 Plus that is from a reputable company although probably still made in china-

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PRDBXS2P&variation=BLK&gclid=CjwKCAiAyrXiBRAjEiwATI95mb6-5XIntzXD9OK67WUryR8FO7e14XTFBd1JAmrEmm4vMB_XAYjtTBoCei0QAvD_BwE

That's one of the ones I referred to above. Only a year ago it was $400 I believe. Unfortunately that DAC has had its share of issues since it first rolled out, as discussed elsewhere. Perhaps they've ironed out the bugs. Also IIRC they did a bait and switch on some of the internals which at first was high quality top notch components but then taken out at some point. I believe the designer of that DAC was accessible at first but then taken off the team (?). Anyways, I'd much rather save the $120. One thing I'll say for the Cheap Chinese versions of these types of DACS - I rarely come across failure/defective issues. They just work (whether they are well designed and/or sound good is another story).

[baszek]

ok, guys, so what do you recommend right now on the budget - I thought that that SE4 will be perfect, but it is not
Topping D30, Topping D10 or that ES9038Q2M mentioned above --> https://bit.ly/2ScVIZh ?
The be honest I would prefer to go under 50$, but if it is not possible I might invest that ~100$  (I am trying to build right now some stereo tpa3116 + speakers - so I think that it will better to spend more money  on speakers than super duper DAC). I don't even need any HI-RES DSD - just clear sound