Quantcast
Channel: DAC Reviews
Viewing all 148 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

AcousticPlan DigiMaster DAC

October 8, 2012, 3:43 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: S/PDIF BNC, Custom I2S, and an Asynchronous USB input
Output: (1) Pair Unbalanced RCA
Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.75 inches (With tubes, total height is 5 inches) x 4.125 inches x 9 inches (Knobs add 1/2 inches) Rubber feet add 3/8 inches. Power supply: 1.125 inches x 1.75 inches x 3.25 inches
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Show Promo Image
DigiMaster
Just the other day, I was reflecting on the number of components I have acquired from local dealers, or purchased after reading a series of reviews that pronounced the component as being state-of-the-art in performance. Upon first listening to the component in my system, I would be in sonic ecstasy for the first thirty minutes noting the exceptional detail or impactful bass I was hearing. But after about an hour of listening, I became disinterested and could no longer concentrate on the music I was playing. Something was clearly missing that the review and my audio store auditions failed to identify. I usually blamed the recordings and found myself playing the same old titles that sounded “good” on my system. Claus Jackle of AcousticPlan feels he has a solution to this issue with his DigiMaster DAC.
Steven Plaskin
Oct 8 2012
↧
Search

Wadia Digital 121Decoding Computer Follow Up

October 9, 2012, 9:23 am
$
0
0
Pre-amplification
A number of readers asked a very relevant question after reading my initial review of the Wadia Digital 121Decoding Computer—how abouti its preamp? And as with the Mytek review, my answer was, good question.
Show Promo Image
Pre-amplification
A number of readers asked a very relevant question after reading my initial review of the Wadia Digital 121Decoding Computer—how abouti its preamp? And as with the Mytek review, my answer was, good question. Armed with the Pass Labs INT-30A which allows you to bypass its passive preamp stage, I put the Wadia 121 to the preamp test.
Michael Lavorgna
Oct 9 2012
↧
↧

Schiit Audio Bifrost DAC

November 16, 2012, 6:27 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: Coax S/PDIF, Optical S/PDIF, USB Audio Class 2.0 (Optional)
Output: RCA (single-ended)
Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.25” x 9 x 6.75
Weight: 5 lbs
Availability: online Direct
Price: $349.00, USB Input adds $100
Website: www.schiit.com

Shinola
The Schiit Bifrost DAC has garnered a lot of buzz for its price/performance ratio. And I mean a lot of buzz from reviewers and forum posters alike.

Show Promo Image
Shinola
The Schiit Bifrost DAC has garnered a lot of buzz for its price/performance ratio. And I mean a lot of buzz from reviewers and forum posters alike. And when a product delivers performance well beyond its price, especially if that price is perceived to be low, that component may as well be sainted or knighted (depending on your point of view). Saint Denon 103, Sir Touch of Squeezebox, and today's specimen under scrutiny, Sir Bifrost of Schiit.
Michael Lavorgna
Nov 16 2012
↧

Asus Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition

November 21, 2012, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter, Headphone Amplifier, Preamplifier
Input: Coax S/PDIF, Optical S/PDIF, USB Audio Class 2.0
Output: RCA (single-ended), XLR Balanced, 1/4" Headphone jack
Dimensions (H x W x D): 60.65 mm x 230 x 261.33
Availability: online
Price: $899.00
Website: www.asus.com

Throwing

Show Promo Image

Throwing Muses
The Asus Xonar Essence One comes in three versions; the standard ($599), the One Plus Edition with Op-Amp Swap Kit ($699), and the unit under review the MUSES Edition (footnote 1) so named for its use of the MUSES 01 Op-Amps from New Japan Radio Co. Ltd. While I wouldn't call the Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition inexpensive at $899, I would say it leans toward the budget side of things, all things considered. With very solid build quality, a 24/192-capable Asynchronous USB input, two S/PDIF inputs, a preamp, a headphone amp, and optional "Symmetrical 8X upsampling", Asus has thrown a lot into the Essence One including the muses.

Michael Lavorgna
Nov 21 2012

↧

Resonessence Labs CONCERO DAC

December 13, 2012, 3:14 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter, USB to S/PDIF Converter
Input: Coax S/PDIF, USB Audio Class 2.0
Output: RCA (single-ended)
Dimensions (H x W x D): 7/8" x 4" x 4" (approximate)
Availability: direct online
Price: $599.00CAD, Optional bundle $650CAD includes Apple wall charger and Apple remote
Website: resonessencelabs.com

Good Things Come In Small Packages
During my review

Show Promo Image
Good Things Come In Small Packages
During my review of the Resonessence Labs Invicta DAC, I thought, to myself, wouldn't it be interesting if they offered just a DAC? Stripped away all of the additional functionality like the preamp, headphone amp and the front-mounted SD Card Reader and gave us just-a-DAC? Well the guys at Resonessence Labs must have read my mind because they've delivered just that (and more).
Michael Lavorgna

Dec 13 2012
↧
↧

iFi iDAC & iUSBPower

December 24, 2012, 3:00 am
$
0
0
iFi iDAC
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone amp
Input: USB Audio Class 2.0
Output: RCA (single-ended), minijack for headphone
Dimensions (L x W x H): 158 x 68 x 28mm
Weight: 193g (0.43lbs)
Price: $299.00

iFi iUSBPower

Show Promo Image
YouFi
iFi is an outgrowth of Abbington Music Research (AMR) "with trickle-down technology licensed from AMR and aimed primarily at the future, Computer Audio generation". We have two components under review from their Micro line—a USB DAC/Headphone amp and a USB power supply. For a combined price of $500, the iFi pair offers a lot of musical muscle for your money. The rest of the Micro line includes the iCan headphone amp ($249), and iPhono MM/MC phono preamp ($399).
Michael Lavorgna
Dec 24 2012
↧

Chord Electronics Chordette QuteHD (DSD) DAC

January 3, 2013, 8:24 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: Coax S/PDIF (BNC), Toslink, USB Audio Class 2.0
Output: RCA (single-ended)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 160 x 70 x 40mm
Weight: 0.4kg
Availability: through authorized dealers
Price: $1,795.00
Website: www.chordelectronics.co.uk
Show Promo Image
FPGA All the Way
If you know only one thing about Chord Electronics, I'd suggest knowing they do things their own way and that way typically diverges from the main stream. This approach can be seen in any of their products industrial design from amplifiers to preamplifiers to digital to analog converters as they all share a lozenge-shaped outline and a round window for seeing into and emitting light from within. Once inside, you'll aso see that things are far from common. But what matters most, in hi-fi land, is how all of this adds up. Does it serve the music being the relevant question at hand. And not to give too much away up front, the answer with the Chord Chordette QuteHD (DSD) DAC is a resounding Oh yea.
Michael Lavorgna
Jan 3 2013
↧

Light Harmonic Da Vinci DAC

January 16, 2013, 5:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: Asynchronous USB Audio Class 2.0 384K /32, AES, RCA S/PDIF
Output: RCA (single-ended) or XLR Balanced
Dimensions (H x W x D): 7.87” X 18.5” X 18.5”
Availability: Authorized Dealers
Price: $20,000
Show Promo Image
The Da Vinci DAC has been garnering praise from both reviewers and audiophiles alike after first being exhibited at audiophile shows in 2011. Light Harmonic, a new Sacramento California based company, was launched in 2010 by Larry Ho. The Da Vinci resulted from Larry Ho’s desire to create a DAC that fulfilled his notion of what good digital audio reproduction should sound like. Larry is a dedicated audiophile that, among other things, enjoys vinyl reproduction with a tube-SET amp. After the Da Vinci was created, friends encouraged him to offer this product for sale. The result was Light Harmonic and their first product Da Vinci.
Steven Plaskin
Jan 16 2013
↧
Search

Schiit Audio Modi USB DAC

January 29, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter
Input: USB Audio Class 2.0 (Type B)
Output: 1 pair RCA
Dimensions (W x D x H): 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
Weight: 1lb.
Show Promo Image
The 99 dollar DAC
How low can we go? Schiit Audio has answered this question with the Modi USB DAC coming in under the $100 mark by an entire dollar. While I don't like to focus on price since performance is why we buy audio gear, there's no getting around the fact that the Modi is $99 and that number represents the least expensive DAC to come through AudioStream HQ so far. What's more, the Modi's outward appearance doesn't tip its low cost hand, at least to my eyes, with its custom steel chassis. So yea, Schiit have gone and done it, offering up what appears to be one heck of an audio bargain with the Modi USB DAC but let's look beyond prices and appearances and see what a Benjamin buys these days.
Michael Lavorgna
Jan 29 2013
↧
↧

Meridian Explorer USB DAC

February 11, 2013, 10:27 am
$
0
0
Device Type: 24/192-capable USB Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amplifier/USB to S/PDIF Converter (24/96)
Input: mini USB (Audio Class 2.0)
Output: (2) 3.5mm jack 1 fixed (2v RMS)/optical output, 1 variable (130mW into 16Ω)
Dimensions : 102 x 32 x 18mm (4.0 x 1.25 x 0.7in)
Weight: 50g (1.76oz)
Availability: through Authorized Dealers
Price: $299.00
Show Promo Image
Meridian Enters the Fray
The USB bus-powered Meridian Explorer is a small, portable 24/192-capable asynchronous USB DAC, headphone amp, and it can also function as a 24/96 USB to S/PDIF converter. There's a mini USB input on one side of its oval tubular extruded aluminum body and two 3.5mm outputs on the other. One of those outputs is fixed and is meant to connect to your hi-fi while also doubling as a 24/96 mini Toslink output. The other 3.5mm output is variable and meant for driving headphones. Based on listening impressions, I'd say the Meridian Explorer is damn well capable of driving you to musical distraction. And it does so for $299.00. Welcome to the beautiful and competitive world of computer audio.
Michael Lavorgna
Feb 11 2013
↧

Playback Designs MPS-3 CD Player/DAC

February 19, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: CD Player / Digital to Analog Converter
Input: Asynchronous USB Audio Class 2.0 384K /24, DSD 2.8224MHz and 5.6448MHz ; XLR connector for AES/EBU 24/192kHz, RCA connector for S/PDIF, 24/192kHz
Output: RCA (single-ended) or XLR Balanced
Dimensions : 3.5” X 17.1” X 16.7”
Weight: 24 pounds
Availability: through Authorized Dealers
Price: $8,500.00
Website: www.playbackdesigns.com/

Playback Designs MPS-3 CD Player/DAC
The MPS-3 CD P

Show Promo Image
Playback Designs MPS-3 CD Player/DAC
The MPS-3 CD Player, while offering a CD transport, is really a full featured DAC with Asynchronous USB input that supports high resolution files of up to 384/24 kHz PCM and 6.1 MHz DSD through USB with either a PC or MAC. A better name for this product is the Music Playback System 3. Playback Designs offers the same product without the CD transport for $6500 that is called the MPD-3.

Steven Plaskin
Feb 19 2013
↧

Teac UD-501 Dual-Monaural PCM/DSD USB Digital to Analog Converter

February 28, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amplifier
Input: USB (Audio Class 2.0), (2) Coax S/PDIF, (2) Toslink
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR, 1 headphone jack (100 mW + 100 mW into 32 ohms)
Dimensions : 290 (W) x 81.2 (H) x 244 (D) mm, 11.4" (W) x 3.2" (H) x 9.6" (D)
Weight: 4.0kg (8 15/16 lb)
Availability: online and through Authorized Dealers
Show Promo Image
64x DSD, 128x DSD, and DXD for under a Grand
The DSD wars are heating up. When I started my list of DSD-ready DACs back in November of 2011, there were a grand total of four DACs and two of them were from the same company. The big news back then was the Mytek DAC coming in at $1,695 but if you look at that list today, you'll see more for less (and more). The Teac UD-501 is currently the least expensive DAC on that list but that doesn't mean you're necessarily getting less. As a matter of fact, the Teac offers up to double rate DSD (5.6MHz) and 384kHz PCM playback out of the box which certainly looks like a lot on paper. But what really matters isn't to be found on paper, and it isn't even necessarily only about how it sounds, it is all about how it makes us feel.
Michael Lavorgna
Feb 28 2013
↧

Emotiva XDA-2 USB DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp

March 9, 2013, 6:48 am
$
0
0
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter, digital preamp, headphone amp
Input: 2 Coax, 2 Toslink, 1 USB, 1 AES/EBU
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR, 1/8" headphone jack
Dimensions : 17” W x 2.25” H x 14” D
Weight: 10.5 lbs (unboxed)
Availability: online direct
Price: $399.00
Website: www.emotiva.com

Value
One look at the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp and you may ask yourself—I wonder how much that costs?

Show Promo Image
Value
One look at the Emotiva XDA-2 DAC/Digital Preamp/Headphone Amp and you may ask yourself—I wonder how much that costs? And when you learn that the answer is a dollar shy of $400, you may think "Wow" or you may think, "Wait, what does it do?". Price perception is similar to depth perception in that's its all about ones' point of view. While anyone that's been shopping for a DAC lately will more than likely be impressed by the XDA-2s package, what it does is play music and how well it does this one job will tell you most everything you need to know about its value.
Michael Lavorgna
Mar 9 2013
↧
↧

Parasound Zdac

March 19, 2013, 4:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter/Headphone Amp
Input: USB (24/96), Coax S/PDIF and Toslink (24/192), IEC inlet
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR, 1/8" headphone jack
Dimensions (W x D x H): 9.5" (black); 8.5" (silver) x 10" x 2"
Weight: 5 lbs (2.3kg)
Availability: online and through Authorized Dealers
Price: $475.00
Website: www.parasound.com

Z Ultra-Compact Component
The Zdac hails from Parasound's Z-line of "ultra-compact components" that in

Show Promo Image
Z Ultra-Compact Component
The Zdac hails from Parasound's Z-line of "ultra-compact components" that includes the Zamp V.3, Zphono, Zphono-USB, Zcd, Ztuner, Zpre2, Zbreeze cooling fan, and the Zselect five-pair speaker selector. The Z-line comes in silver or rack-mountable black and all of the Z components share the same chassis so one could have a complete matching Z-system (sans speakers). For some, matching components are a plus while for others, mainly for certain kinds of audiophiles, matching components take all of the fun out system mixing and matching. Thankfully you can have the Zdac either a la carte or prix fixe.
Michael Lavorgna
Mar 19 2013
↧

Metrum Acoustics Hex NOS Differential DAC

March 26, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: 2x optical Toslink, 2x Coaxial (1x BNC and 1x RCA), AES/EBU module optional, USB module optional
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR
Dimensions: 320 x 320 x 85 mm
Weight: 5500 grams
Availability: online and through Authorized Dealers
Price: from $3,288.99 w/USB, as reviewed $3,510.00 includes AES/EBU and USB inputs
Website: www.nosminidac.nl
US Distributor: www.stereodesk.com
Show Promo Image
NOS
The Hex DAC is, according to Metrum Acoustics, a non-oversampling (NOS) filterless DAC in the strictest sense. This means that inside, including inside its mysterious* DAC chips, the PCM signal remains a PCM signal and it passes through the D/A process un-oversampled and un-filtered, as it were. Many of today's DACs, even some calling themselves NOS DACs, employ delta-sigma DAC chips that, among other things, oversample, interpolate, convert the PCM signal to a PDM signal (pulse-density modulation), and filter our precious musical data. Filterless NOS DACs skip these steps and some feel that the resulting analog signal sounds more analog-like as a result.
Michael Lavorgna
Mar 26 2013
↧
Search

AURALiC Vega Digital Audio Processor

April 2, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: 2x Coax S/PDIF (RCA), 1 Toslink, 1 AES/EBU, 1 USB
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR
Dimensions: 311''W x 9''D x 2.6''H (33cm x 23cm x 6.5cm)
Weight: 7.5 pounds (3.4kg)
Availability: direct and through Authorized Dealers
Price: $3,500.00
Website: www.auralic.com
Show Promo Image
Wow Factor
I first saw and heard the AURALiC Vega Digital Audio Processor at the 2013 CES and I remember thinking—I need to hear this one at home. I can't tell you exactly why this was the case especially seeing as listening to music is a difficult thing to focus on at hi-fi shows and determining the performance of a given component within an unfamiliar system is like judging a blind date by an online profile. So let's call my interest in the AURALiC Vega a hunch. And let me just say man oh man did that hunch pay off.
Michael Lavorgna
Apr 2 2013
↧

Fostex HP-A8C 32-Bit DAC Headphone Amp

April 18, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter/Preamplifier/Headphone Amplifier
Input: Coax S/PDIF (RCA), 2 Toslink, 1 USB, 1 pair RCA, 1 SD (SDHC) Card Slot
Output: 1 pair RCA, Toslink, Coax S/PDIF
Dimensions: 213mm(W) x 78mm(H) x 314mm(D)
Weight: 3.75kgs
Availability: online and through Authorized Dealers
Price: $1,995.00
Website: www.fostexinternational.com

DSD via DoP and SDHC
Before going to press with this review, I figured I'd give it

Show Promo Image
DSD via DoP and SDHC
Before going to press with this review, I figured I'd give it one last lap around the 'net to see if I could locate some information regarding when (or if) the Fostex HP-A8C would be able to play back DSD over PCM/USB. I stumbled on a post by 'AnakChan' on HeadFi that pointed to the Fostex Japan website and lo and behold there was firmware version 2.01B with DoP (you can get it here). Once I downloaded and updated, all I had to do was navigate to the USB over PCM menu option, enable it, and I was streaming DSD over USB in no time. Lovely. Why this firmware revision from November 2012 is not yet available on the Fostex International (English) website is anyone's guess. The latest version to be found there is 1.31 which does not include the DSD over USB option so you are stuck playing back only DSF formatted DSD files through the HP-A8C's SD (or SDHC) card reader. And that's kind of a drag.
Michael Lavorgna
Apr 18 2013
↧
↧

MSB Technology The Analog DAC

April 25, 2013, 3:19 am
$
0
0
Device Type: Digital to Analog Converter
Input: Asynchronous USB Audio Class 2.0 384 kHz / 32, DSD 64 and 128 ; XLR connector for S/PDIF AES/EBU, Pro I2s for Signature Data CD transport, MSB Network for Data CD and UMT, Optical-Toslink and Coax Inputs The $6,995 price comes with 1 input. The others are provided as modules at an additional cost.
Show Promo Image
General Description of The Analog DAC
The Analog DAC is MSB Technology’s newest DAC model that was designed to offer audiophiles a DAC that is analog-like in sound quality, but without the limitations of dynamics and distortion. As it just so happens, The Analog DAC is the least expensive of the DACs offered by MSB Technology, but offers a number of features found in their more expensive models.
Steven Plaskin
Apr 25 2013
↧

HRT Music Streamer HD

May 27, 2013, 7:18 am
$
0
0
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter
Input: USB (Audio Class 2.0)
Output: 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR
Dimensions : 3.8" x 6.0" x 3.0"
Availability: online and through Authorized Dealers
Price: $449.95
Website: www.highresolutiontechnologies.com

High Definition 1.0
The High Resolution Technologies (HRT) Music Streamer HD is a straight forward device that takes your computer's USB output and converts it into an analog signal that your Hi-Fi can

Show Promo Image
High Definition 1.0
The High Resolution Technologies (HRT) Music Streamer HD is a straight forward device that takes your computer's USB output and converts it into an analog signal that your Hi-Fi can understand. The "HD" part of the name refers to the Music Streamer's ability to handle up to high definition 24-bit/192kHz data—with Apple computers. Windows users can play back up to 24/96 via USB 1.0. According to Scot Markwell of Elite AV Distribution, my contact for this review, "HRT has a very strong philosophy that their products should be 100% Plug-and-Play, without the need for 3rd-party drivers that are not as of yet robust and reliable enough to warrant having our customer base attempt to work with them." I'd say that pretty much makes the Music Streamer HD a Mac-only device.
Michael Lavorgna
May 27 2013
↧

Luxman DA-06 USB D/A Converter

June 4, 2013, 3:00 am
$
0
0
Device Type: USB Digital to Analog Converter
Input: USB (Audio Class 2.0), 2x Coax S/PDIF, 2x Toslink, AES/EBU
Output: Coax S/PDIF, Toslink, 1 pair RCA, 1 pair XLR
Weight: 24 lb. (11 kg)
Show Promo Image
Luxe
Luxman is an old and storied Japanese hi-fi brand having been founded in 1925. I'll admit to lusting after a number of Luxman products over the years, mainly their tube-based amplifiers, but regardless of the component, Luxman knows how to impart beautiful build quality. There's obvious and tactilely apparent care taken with each objects industrial design. And while I appreciate that aspect of the Luxman line, without matching sonic performance you may as well buy a music box. Luckily for us, the DA-06 delivers on all counts.
Michael Lavorgna
Jun 4 2013
↧
Viewing all 148 articles
Browse latest View live
Search