More Amazing DACs for Peanuts

OzarkTom · « **Reply #420 on:** 27 Mar 2019, 11:16 pm »

Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC
$80

Sorry, I have not heard this one, but I thought someone here might like it.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-grace-design-standard-dac?mode=shop_open&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=6127109657340&utm_term=6130648328140&utm_content=6130648327940&fe=delay_ftue%2Ccarousel%2Csu2&fbclid=IwAR3WQ6buSsEEJlF3I6sA3J-Ofl1lxzXShE60RY3cg8bN2jH-uCWfaTvVT2o

karnana · « **Reply #421 on:** 14 Apr 2019, 09:24 am »

For those looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 dac... Xonar U 7 MKII is a 7.1 dac that is decent but not great. Punchy, silent but lacks sabaj da3's clarity. Are there any other 7.1 dacs for peanuts?

jonbee · « **Reply #422 on:** 16 Apr 2019, 10:23 pm »

I wanted to see if I could get better sound from my oppo 93 player for little $. Although it uses the same CS4398 Dac as the Oppo, I thought I'd try the Topping d30 as a lark, for about $100.
Well, color me impressed! The Topping is much clearer, more open and focused using the coax input. Really very good in every respect.
I haven't compared it to my modded nuprime dac10h yet, but as a simple audio upgrade to a good video player it is aces for the $.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #423 on:** 27 Apr 2019, 02:05 pm »

We've replaced the ancient "DACs under $450" sticky with this one as it's more current and virtually the same topic with prices in line with the marketplace today.

karnana · « **Reply #424 on:** 1 May 2019, 02:54 pm »

Tried double and triple series LT3045 usb dongle today. Double LT3045 works flawlessly. Triple LT3045 works but unstable.

Used these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323569530540

Triple LT3045 requires double usb cable to power. Double LT3045 works fine alone. Sound quality wise:

3 LT3045 > 2 LT3045 > 1 LT3045

Wiring scheme:

emailtim · « **Reply #425 on:** 19 May 2019, 04:20 am »

Quote from: baszek on 13 Feb 2019, 06:39 pm

I have just bought used khadas tone board generic edition = bought it for 80$ with shipment. I hope it will be pretty good - I will let you know probably within a month.

Any update/feedback/comments on the Khadas Tone Board DAC yet ???

zek · « **Reply #426 on:** 19 May 2019, 12:30 pm »

Another very interesting dongle with DSD support.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/new-Original-Meizu-type-c-interface-HIFI-decoding-amp-high-performance-DAC-chip-hifi-sound-quality/33005037391.html?spm=2114.12057483.0.0.68f9360aFs9n5K

o0o · « **Reply #427 on:** 1 Jul 2019, 05:19 pm »

New windows driver XMOS_USBAudio_v4.67.0_2019-06-26 for Da3, Da2, D4, Idea, IQ, etc released by smsl-audio.

As usual no changelog provided but I've noticed a new "About" tab in Control Panel

Tested and working fine with with Sabaj Da2.

CallMeMike · « **Reply #428 on:** 2 Jul 2019, 06:59 am »

Quote from: o0o on 1 Jul 2019, 05:19 pm

New windows driver XMOS_USBAudio_v4.67.0_2019-06-26 for Da3, Da2, D4, Idea, IQ, etc released by smsl-audio.

As usual no changelog provided but I've noticed a new "About" tab in Control Panel

Tested and working fine with with Sabaj Da2.

SABAJ are tight-lipped so far... the 'latest' drivers for DA2 nd DA3 are dated June 2017, respectively August 2018... Maybe an email to info@sabaj.com.cn can break the silence...

o0o · « **Reply #429 on:** 2 Jul 2019, 07:07 pm »

Quote from: CallMeMike on 2 Jul 2019, 06:59 am

SABAJ are tight-lipped so far... the 'latest' drivers for DA2 nd DA3 are dated June 2017, respectively August 2018... Maybe an email to info@sabaj.com.cn can break the silence...

It doesn't matter they both use exactly the same general XMOS drivers for all of their XMOS-based products. XMOS_USBAudio_v4.67.0_2019-06-26 is 100% compatible with all XMOS-based Sabaj products. It's like original Nvidia drivers to asus, gigabyte, msi, etc nvidia-gfx cards...

CallMeMike · « **Reply #430 on:** 4 Jul 2019, 06:31 am »

@oOo

I know that... but it is not a largely known fact by 'all and sundry', a buyer of a digital product will seek advice and support from Manufacturer of that product so it's anybody's guess whether SABAJ will update their drivers page...

charmerci · « **Reply #431 on:** 9 Jul 2019, 01:29 am »

Quote from: baszek on 13 Feb 2019, 06:39 pm

I have just bought used khadas tone board generic edition = bought it for 80$ with shipment. I hope it will be pretty good - I will let you know probably within a month.

It's gone up to $100.

zek · « **Reply #432 on:** 17 Jul 2019, 12:30 am »

Has anyone listened to this dongle. It even supports DSD256.

https://penonaudio.com/ibasso-dc01.html

wushuliu · « **Reply #433 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 05:21 am »

Just got a Sabaj D5 ES9038Pro DAC. Currently $470 on Amazon, but $418 on AliExpress. There was a Prime Day deal for $95 off so went for it.

1. It is hands down the best sounding DAC I have heard using stock usb input, no mods, no PC tweaks or Jplay. Just straight Windows playback. No digititis. That's never happened before. Clean, clean, clean. Full-bodied, neutral/warm. I would never guess it was an ESS dac other than the very clean delivery.

2. Overall tonality sounds more like the Hifime 9038Pro than not and reinforces my opinion that the cheap ES9038Q2M Dacs (Topping D50, Sabaj DA3, Pro-ject S2, etc etc) are not 'small' versions of the Pro like some people have speculated. The Pro, even with a cheap implementation like the Hifimediy, is just better. More natural, fuller, organic than any of the Q2M mobile chips.

I would be curious to compare it with Dacs in the 1k+ price range, because this is not a $500 dac to my ears. Thanks to Dadbeh for the heads up. I'll add more thoughts as I break it in.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #434 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 03:12 pm »

A nother one at that price level that looks interesting is the Topping D70 with dual AK4497 chips.

zek · « **Reply #435 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 05:48 pm »

We came to $ 500 for peanuts.

wushuliu · « **Reply #436 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 06:32 pm »

Quote from: zek on 19 Jul 2019, 05:48 pm

We came to $ 500 for peanuts.

It comes in under, so should be okay. The D5 is worth every penny. Dadbeh said it held its own against his RME ADI-2, which I'd also like to get a hold of to compare.

Next up is a Schiit Modi Multibit.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #437 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: wushuliu on 19 Jul 2019, 06:32 pm

It comes in under, so should be okay. The D5 is worth every penny. Dadbeh said it held its own against his RME ADI-2, which I'd also like to get a hold of to compare.

Next up is a Schiit Modi Multibit.

The RME has a ton of functionality at that price level, but I'm not sure I need all of that.

wushuliu · « **Reply #438 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 07:25 pm »

Quote from: fredgarvin on 19 Jul 2019, 07:18 pm

The RME has a ton of functionality at that price level, but I'm not sure I need all of that.

More interested in establishing some retail reference points outside of the cheap China gear for future comparisons, and the RME is one of the flavor of the months right now. I definitely don't need all that functionality.

wushuliu · « **Reply #439 on:** 19 Jul 2019, 11:17 pm »

Quote from: zek on 19 Jul 2019, 05:48 pm

We came to $ 500 for peanuts.

On second thought you're right, I don't think ~$500 Dacs are peanuts just regular C&C, I'll start a new thread on these instead.