What Happened to "Cheap" Hifi DACs?
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- Опубликовано: 5 янв 2023
- SMSL SU10 amzn.to/3GmdTCP
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Развлечения
SMSL SU10 amzn.to/3GmdTCP
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Would love to see a review of the SMSL D300 which while not cheap (400 US )it, is one of the few DAC's that has a ROHM BD34301EKV DAC. Had to get it after listening to a friend's iBasso DX320.DAP which has dual ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's but it's close to 2K. The only other ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's I have seen are well over 1K (usually 2K+). Just something special about that DAC and SMSL did it right. As as you said, it's not just the DAC, it's how it's implemented. Just different from ESS, Cirrus or AKJ. Just hard to explain. Has to be heard but I definitely think it's worth the price but obviously anything in the 400 to 500.dollaer range (or more) starts to get subjective to some degree. Also does MQA but normal typical inputs. I don't know anyone who has I2S or that other input on an output device.
Wow, what a suspenseful journey! We started so far off track I nearly called a hotline, only to realize there is no hotline. In the end, you arrived. I never saw the lower tier advocacy coming, but I’m glad you did so. If SMSL is savvy, they’ll listen to your sage advice. Way to keep us keep us in the game.
If the device doesn't have the real estate for XLR, I'm totally fine with a TRS connection. It's still a very common connector on pro audio gear.
Happy New Year!!! I do appreciate your taking the time to educate tech-illiterate OGs like me. Good job!. And be a little more careful with that alien coffee mug! haha!
Thanks Randy, love your honest assessment of the DAC. Overengineered = Overpriced and unused connections. I am glad it sounds good to those who do want to step up.
If they'd drop MQA decoding, I2S, and AES/EBU connections maybe they could knock off $150. That'd be a great DAC then.
Would love to see a review of the SMSL D300 which while not cheap (400 US )it, is one of the few DAC's that has a ROHM BD34301EKV DAC. Had to get it after listening to a friend's iBasso DX320.DAP which has dual ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's but it's close to 2K. The only other ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's I have seen are well over 1K (usually 2K+). Just something special about that DAC and SMSL did it right. As Randy has said, it's not just the DAC, it's how it's implemented. Just different from ESS, Cirrus or AKJ. Just hard to explain. Has to be heard but I definitely think it's worth the price but obviously anything in the 400 to 500.dollaer range (or more) starts to get subjective to some degree. Does MQA also but just the typical inputs (USB B, Coax and fiber). Also BT but I never use BT on a desktop DAC. Kind of pointless IMO but everyone has to add BT these days.
I think when you start going that high up in price on a chip dac one is probably looking for a certain set of features or connections or a more "boutique" or flavored sound. I have a couple cheaper dacs but I do have one I bought on sale for lil over $900. When I got this one I was contemplating an Ares II back when the hype all started up on it awhile back. Instead I went with the RME-ADI-2 and glad I did. More expensive than what I normally spend on a dac but for the price it is feature laden, like no other dac I know of. The sound is just quiet, clean, and dynamic..I'm not missing any of the detail and of course no glare or harshness. Just solidly built with ton of features and adjustable power levels to push any amp, no boutique sound. It will probably last the rest of my life. Guess my point is that if one is considering spending $900 on a dac for a budget audiophile set up, that dac better be of a super solid build, have an excess of options or inputs, or be of a coloured sound one truly enjoys. Otherwise you can find a good sounding transparent DAC for way cheaper. I do like the idea and probably the sound of 2 transformers power supply. I suspect that SMSL has a low noise floor. Which leads to more dynamic sound usually..and not missing any details of the track. Which is the type of DAC I like, if I want to color the sound I can tube preamp or amp or buffer down the line. I will say if you are serious about your music, and you mostly listen to digital, a decent dac is something to consider. Especially if you have quiet and transparent gear. No sense spending big on a dac capable of playing 20bits of quiet dynamic sound when your Aiyima amp only plays 14.5. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I look at it.
Hi friend, new subscriber here. I appreciate your videos very much . Bought new speakers for the first time! Klipsch rf800 floor standers running through my Pioneer elite VSX-LX303 for now. Mainly using Qobuz and livestreaming live concerts. I love their big sound and can't wait to throw some more power at them. Thinking about one of the Ayimas with the little tubes. Anyway, thanks for all the fun content. You keep me laughing and coming back!
I came across your channel and got excited about audio stuff again after few years break. During My break from hifi I just used headphones and JBL Bluetooth speakers.
I found your positive review about wharfedale denton 80ths that made me to get my own pair from darkest corner of my cellar where they been stored few years. I paired them with my 22kg 150W class A / valve hybrid AMP and my 900 dollar gustard x20 Pro dac it has two Transformers and all those i2s bells and whistles and its "old" dac already. Oh boy I found the joy of listening music again.
But I wanted to change the Power amp for something smaller and less power hungry and I looked few days all the options. I found your and many others saying good things about aiyima A08 pro and I was thinking that cant be good for that price and my previous experience with class D was not that impressive (behringer a800) but luckily I was wrong and the Aiyima is actually maybe the best sounding amp ive ever had (not the most powerful but powerful enough for my space/use). I believe that one reason is those tone controls so you can adjust The sound for your liking, every hifi equipment Ive had before aiyima did not have those. funny thing is that My dac is the most expensive equipment in this line chain. I should try to A/B it with aiyima dac some day.
I have this DAC. It's connected to a Buchardt i150 integrated amp, which was recommended here (along with other reviewers).
The SMSL is a DEFINITE improvement over the Buchardt's internal DAC (which is also based on an ESS pro chip). It is also a clear improvement over my previous DAC, the (way cheaper) Loxjie d30.
In my system, the SMSL provides a lot more detail and more nuance than anything else I had before it. It just sounds great, with any music I play.
I also did some blind A/B with friends and family. I switched between DACs without telling them what they were listening to (most of them wouldn't remember the names anyway) and asked them to raise their hand when the sound was better. The SMSL got hands raised about 80% of the time.
I haven't had a chance to compare to any R2R DACs, so I don't know if it's a better buy than something like the Ares 2.
Is it worth $900? For some it might be, and for others it may not. That's how personal taste and preferences work...
I paid around $730 for it, on a 11.11 sale ("Chinese Black Friday"). But knowing now how it sounds in my system, I'd probably pay the full price if I couldn't find it on sale. (But if you wait awhile, you'd probably find it on sale.)
Anyway, just my 2 cents on this DAC.
P.S. the rest of the system (if anyone's curious):
Speakers - Sonus Faber Lumina 3
Sub - SVS Micro 3000
Source - mini PC running Roon
Great info. Sounds like the SU-10 is a great choice for your system, and a solid value at $730.
Ditto, and it replaced an aresII in my system, i like it better, way more function. 11/11 sale too.
What the heck is going on with all of these DACs? Somebody should make a business where the Avg Joe can rent different DACs - just to see if they can tell the diff on their systems. If so, then they can purchase said DAC and send back the other one.
I don't do it but many do just that on Amazon try it return it.
Upgrade the rest of your system first before you worry about the DAC. I have good DACs because they do make a difference. Just saying... More bang for your buck investing in speakers and amp first
Thanks for the review. I was wondering how it compares to other dacs, like the Geshelli J2. Unfortunately this is only mentioned very briefly. So, less repetitions on the MQA issue and more on sound quality comparisons would help a lot.
100% agree. We need more sound quality commentary!
Interesting. I was curious what it did with the the soundstage and imaging. But I willll listen again. Maybe I missed that part. Curious if you wil ever review Magnepan LRS speakres at $650. Just for comparison with what you have already reviewed and what you gain (or do not gain) over other speakers.
Love ur channel it really helps me an average fella pick equipment that work's 👍
Liked, commented and subscribed. More and more I am enjoying Randy’s take on these products, he’s found a really good niche and has struck an excellent balance between informative and entertaining. Though some of the humour can be slightly overdone…. This sounds like an interesting product, like Randy and others here I feel it falls outside of the budget I would consider for a system, perhaps it would be something to consider though if the price drops in time. Thanks Randy for sharing, I look forward to your next videos.
The intro and bumper music makes this 'channel'
very likeable. good dude, with good points
Fun review! The HoloAudio May DAC has a dual toroidal power supply (in separate chassis), in fact completely dual mono R2R DAC. Costs a tad more than the S10, but has no gold feet 😞 ... and Nutella all the way, there is no debate!!! Talk to you y'all on Sunday.
I am using the Topping DX7 Pro, that shares the same variety of digital inputs and find them very handy:
The I2s allows via a HDMI to I2s converter/audio-extractor to get the DSD data from SACDs from my Blue Ray Player into the DAC.
The AES I just misuse as an additional coax input via a simple Adapter.
SMSL SU-9 PRO is the to-go for and not this. The sound is sublime and uses the newer Flagship Sabre ES9039MPRO chip. At £450 it's half the price of the SU-10, and has all the bells and whistles, but without the i2s ad AES. These 2 DACs have been tested side by side and sound identical
Steve, you dont mind giving us the link to the test comparision. I hope it not Z dude video. If that is the case it a waste of time. The implementation of su9 pro and 10 is different so the sound cant be exact same. Now $900 vs 450 is it sound twice as good is what everyone want to know. I own Dse1 and i wondering if it would be different with su10 or 9 myself too. I dont buy stuff base on what YTber say or recommendation, i buy stuff that fit my ear and it have to justify the price.
Hey Randy I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matrix x sabre pro or x sabre 3. I feel like they should be in the same conversation as gustard and smsl, but for some reason they’re left out.
Randy I just got the SMSL c200 dac pairing with the a07 and WOW!!! Sounds so sweet, all the power i would ever need I will usually have the dac on 65-70, out of 99 volume and the a07 on 9 - 10 o'clock through rp600m's while listening to music..when just watching TV I have ao7 on 3 or 4....the smsl basically 2 x's the power of just the a07 amp...was considering a preamp but idk if the sound can sound any better.. 0 noise, I only bt through my TV RUclips, or Spotify, sometimes Audacy for local radio..but for $ $200 for dac and $70 for a07 im blown away..Do a review on the c200 Randy it definitely is on the affordable side with excellent sound/build quality
Hi. Great information. I have Andrew Jones pioneer full system speaker setup. I use my system mainly for TV and movies. What would you recommend as a step up or two from the speakers? Thank you for your time
Good honest skepticism. Very good, Randy.
I once thought having all the options would be great but have simplified my audio gear and use an Aune X8 18th with a Sparkos opa. During the holidays, all for $300! And it sounds as good as iiWi review stated. That combo vs a Gesheli would be an interesting comparison.
Input options are nice but probably would be better placed on a high end ladder DAC. I have a Geshelli labs dac with the esspro and it sounds great. Wouldn’t spend that kind of money just for input interfaces.
The chip is 8 channel. But is often used as just 2 channel. I think they weren't ready for it when it first came out and used just two channels. Now they have implemented it the way Sabre intended. You can also get the SMSL M500 MKIII it has the same chip implementation but just 1 instead of 2. It is probably close to this one. I got mine for black Friday for $450 (About $530 regular price)
Hey Randy! What do you think about floorstanding vs bookshelf speakers, i-e is it always better to buy floorstanding ones or not?
I *think* the dual linear power supplies are for the digital and the analog sections? And also it would seem like the 16 DAC channels is for the balanced operation? But it does seem to be more than would absolutely be needed?
I like the dual LPS. I like the remote. If it didn't have all the filter / sound shaping options, and just had the best one, that would be great. I don't need/want the volume control. I would want a second coax input (one for streamer and one for CD transport).
Totally agree with you Neil!
I got one a little while back, i wanted the inputs, used to replace a preamp/dac combo for 2 channel video, music system. Needed a remote, a bit of future proof and it needed to look good for the Mrs. This one ticked those boxes. On sale was best i could find. If any thing else does all that, please post/reply. Thanks
I love the straight forward approach to the regular people that. Like music
I have been a Audiophile for over 25 years and can't hear the subtle differences in those dang filters either! 😎🔊 Have a great weekend! Cheers!
You don't really hear the difference but you sense it. I like the slow roll of filter best. Fast roll off makes me nervous.
Thanks again, Randy - great stuff. How does this compare to the Bifrost?
I'm running a Klipsch RP 7.2.2 Atmos setup, with a Denon 2600 -and I've tried several Subwoofers to get to the 2 number - but space is an issue.
I'm running a Monoprice SSW12 now under the entertainment console, where it's barely visible, and after running Audessey, I am pretty pleased with it...
I live in an apartment, so I can shut off the Klipsch R-112 when not listening to movies, and it has enough power to smooth out the R-112, but when running alone, it is fine, I think for most music and radio.
I would like your opinion of it, first as a stand alone in smaller spaces, and then as a supplement to the SVS micro, or another more powerful sub.
It was relatively cheap, comparable to the lower end Klipsch 12" when on sale... I think it would make an interesting episode.
I have another question, though related to the Monoprice, It is possible to daisy chain the subwoofers though I am not using that option now, as I don't know how it would affect the sound - I am using it on the non-LFE out, and have it set at 80HZ, and 60 percent volume.
So If it ran it in a daisy chain off the LFE, with the out from the sub going to the R112, what would happen to the sound if I shut off the R-112?
The bass is sooo buttery smooth now while being sharp and precise I am hesitant to pullout the receiver, undo all the wiring management and rewire the system.
This this is a pass for me. Can get some great speakers for that price, among other things. Great review!
I smell a coffee scented, slightly dented DAC giveaway soon. :D
One of your funniest vids, Randy! Enjoyed it!
The fact that this has TWO ESS 9038 Pro chips, a KILLER analog stage, and USB-C, AES, I2S, AND optical inputs really does make it worth $900 IMO. It works basically with any and every audio source ever made. This is basically endgame, because I don't need AES right now, but eventually I will.
I appreciate the calmly chaotic nature of this video.
Excellent rationale and summary good Sir!
How's it going!! Would the aiyima a07 with the aiyima t8 work well with the klipsch rp 600m?
My opinion is that spending over 300 dollars on a DAC is nonsense.
It isn't. Over 300 is where DAC's are really starting to improve.
The 8-channel DAC is used so that they can parallel the outputs for better thermal noise performance. Plus, they do it on each channel with a separate DAC. It’s all about getting better SNR.
Most of the cost probably comes from the linear power supply since it has dual torroids. The I2S probably wont have a fee since its just and HDMI connector and not using HDMI protocol.
Randy just found your channel! Love your content! I am looking at the DO300 or SU-9 Pro. I would love the SU-10 but I can’t justify spending that much. Have you had a chance to review the DO300 yet?
love to know comparison to the SMSL M500 MK3 should be
similar quality
Hey Randy, I'm wondering why someone would buy a $900 DAC to listen to something that may have been recorded with a $179. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, probably the single most popular audio interface in the world. I use one as a DAC for streaming audio to a vintage amp. Has gain control for input and output, plays really nicely with analog gear and you can record a hit for audiophiles to play on much more expensive gear. If you want.
I bought this DAC on Black Friday for 750$, because i need a DAC for my secondary system, i have Gustard X16 and SU-10 is way better, wider and deeper soundstage more lively and organic, and i liked sound color options, the Gustard end moving to my second system.
I bought a Schitt Modi 3 on your advice and I liked it so much that I bought another one. Only $120.00.
Thank you for the review.
I have an su9, was £350ish, sound great. But I also have Marantz cd273 special edition with a tda ladder dac , people say they can sound old and closed in and nothing compared to modern dacs, but I love it, cost me £30, I think it sounds warm and quite analogue. I’d be interested in your opinion or old ladder dac cd players, even older cd players in general. I think there’s a lot of enjoyable cd players for very little money!
Bingo
Those super expensive dac's make me curious, but I feel like I could never justify spending that much money for it... I certainly won't ever need that many connections haha. My SMSL SU-6 is my first DAC (first Hi-Fi stereo system too). These products just make it feel better spending less money on it haha. I live in Europe so Geshelli isn't really an option with all the extra costs.. Feel like I got good bang for buck with this DAC for my speakers. (Overnight sensations for speakers; SMSL SU-6 DAC, Aiyima A07 Amp)
You'd love my Denafrips Terminator II
@@goahead3995 I just googled it, $4500, theres no way I could justify that haha. We're probably in very different stages of life or have vastly different priorities, both are fine with me. My point still stands, I'm enjoying my music and the journey of building the speakers and selecting gear, there's a reason I found this channel. Was looking for affordable hifi equipment and to learn a bit about it. Also since its my first experience with good audio.
Finishing my speaker stands this weekend :) Having a blast.
Has anyone compared the Gashelli to the new Mojo?
I'm still not on the dac bandwagon 100% I am using an early Topping DAC, but the difference in sound in my CDs isn't overwhelming. Perhaps with a better DAC I would hear more difference, but seeing as I don't stream, I'm wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze? Thoughts?
I’m with you. You know it when your speakers sound good. And then RUclips reviewers make you doubt yourself overhyping the latest DAC. And then you buy it and try your hardest to notice any difference in quality. And different doesn’t obviously mean better.
I use the I2S input on the SU-10, it's very good !
How it sound compared to SU - 9?
$900.00. I want my own digital (before DAC) 31 band equalizer built in that I get to tune. AND save as my own name. and have at least 50 program slots for my fine tuned 31 band work. think about this, all those little 1 to 2 decibels edits we could make to the sound without using an analog EQ (tone control) downstream from the DAC. 1 to 2 dB is all that is necessary for fine tuning your system to the room or to the recording. You hate the clean linear recordings, push up those 100 - 400Hz frequencies, warm it up, cool it down. You now have full control; and those vocals your system seems to muddy up are now out front and more clear. As I searched for a headphone last year and bought 4 of them, all sounded different and none were linear, but with just a little EQ at the right frequencies I could have them all sounding about the same, or what my ear/mind thought was linear. We all have an idea of what our music should sound like, 31 bands of EQ gives all of us the opportunity to say FU to the recording engineer and make it our own.
Please do a review on the $4 DAC from Amazon. Very curious about it. 😆
For $4, you could do your own review ;)
Hey Randy, I have a year old Yamaha A4A receiver that I run all my music through. Sounds pretty good. Is it worth buying a dac to enhance my listening experience, or is the benefit minimal?
Honestly if it sounds good to you just stop there for the time being and enjoy the music. Otherwise you'll start throwing money at equipment to chase after something you haven't even identified. Maybe some time in the future you will but for now I would just enjoy the music.
I have the A6A so I'm curious about this as well. Most of the signal going through it is from a PC and I also think it sounds pretty good.
@@normwetherbee3403 you stilll will have an audible difference if you plug in external DAC from your computer to your receiver, even if you still using dsp in receiver and not PURE Direct mode. I tested myself...and came to conclusion that it is very important to have an excellent source material in a chain. Because it will "feed" your receiver already with better quality from the beginning. By Eliminating jitter, noises, use oversampling exc. with external DAC and then feed your receiver to process that further (if you wish) will still improve your music.
@@jurynalivaiko4718 Thank You.
The connectors on the Topping are combo connectors. They accept TRS and XLR. Nothing tricky/weird about it.
The Topping M50 player (some call it streamer) has an I²S output. I'm using the USB output and needed to buy a separate USB-to-optical converter to feed my PC audio to my DAC. So I would love to have I²S input on my DAC, but $900? That is more than my whole Topping M/A/D/P50(s) stack costs. But two USB inputs (if they work separately) would be great as well 😀
Soooo how does this compare sound wise to the SU 9n or 9pro?
I’d like to see you review the SMSL M500 mkIII and compare it to the SU10, if you could please. I think it uses the same chip as this one, but it’s a lot cheaper. You talked about the MkII a year ago, but the newer model is supposed to have a lot of improvements, including the full 8-channel implementation. Also has most of the features you listed for the SU10. You can get them on sale for about $450 from time to time, and considering they also have a headphone amp, it would be a much better value if it sounds close to as good as the SU10.
Would love to see a review of the SMSL D300 which while not cheap (400 US )it, is one of the few DAC's that has a ROHM BD34301EKV DAC. Had to get it after listening to a friend's iBasso DX320.DAP which has dual ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's but it's close to 2K. The only other ROHM BD34301EKV DAC's I have seen are well over 1K (usually 2K+). Just something special about that DAC and SMSL did it right. As Randy has said, it's not just the DAC, it's how it's implemented. Just different from ESS, Cirrus or AKJ. Just hard to explain. Has to be heard but I definitely think it's worth the price but obviously anything in the 400 to 500.dollaer range (or more) starts to get subjective to some degree.
They have 2 torroidal PSUs where 1 is for digital and the other is for the analog section, IIRC.
I really like this review. Love it actually. Make a £600 version of this and I’m in.
Yeah... I'm very happy with my J2. Interesting review though. Thanks Randy! 👍👍👍
What are the best affordable dacs that handle Tidal?
2 power supplies are usually to have separate power to isolate Left and Right, Analog/Digital, etc. to reduce cross talk effects.
Having Bluetooth is just a cheap convenience add on to justify the price. Who buys a $900.00 DAC over some other one because one has Bluetooth?
The other input (taxes) are likely targeted at the music creators/mixers/masters market who might justify spending that much on a DAC.
Randy - Your mug was trying to tell you, you need to switch to decaf :)
Anyone heard the new schiit modi multibit 2 DAC?
Obviously the SU-10 is not intended to be a super affordable budget piece. Probably more appropriate when used in a system in the $5k to $10k range. Price seems fair to me given the design and features. For reference Bifrost 2/64 is $800... And the SU-10 has substantially more in the way of features and connectivity. Would like to hear the SU-10 in my system, but I certainly don't need yet another DAC 😂
I'm already quite happy with my SMSL DO200...
I'm seriously considering the SMSL D0200 MK II. Every review I've seen of it has been good, and I like the price.
i bought a modi+ and wwas consdiering upgrading within my 15 day window. I forget that my 2021 macbook pro has a decent dac... I just tried it in my stereo, and man its upsetting, i dont know if outside of a Bifrost I can compare it. Add that i can EQ from teh computer and it cuts the chain down, theres 0 distortion and the sound stage is clearer. While it requires i always use my laptop, it's really hard to argue with how ridiculous I got it to sound vs the Modi+
I will say that they did indeed figure out how to utilize the 8 channels of the 9038 Pro into a surround sound DAC. See: "Topping DM7"
I got my coffee.
but do I need a dac for my hifiman Sundara's I just ordered? I don't use a PC.
I got a tv and a sony a/v receiver that Sony says is 1v-2.5v and 50mw-150mw
for the 1/4 inch headphone jack.
37ohms should be fine but... apparently the sensitivity is too low on the phones?
Should I return the headset? 😪
Sundaras are an excellent headphone but in order to get good performance from them you will need something more than the headphone jack on an AVR. Depending on your budget, I would suggest looking for a combination dac/headphone amp like those offered by Topping and others. That would give you enough power to effectively drive the planar magnetic drivers in the Sundaras.
@@toddt5562 ok thanks. But where/how do I hook this Dac/amp to? I have never gotten an answer to this other than "your laptop or PC".
So.. I listen to music from my smart tv apps, or blu ray player or a PS5 game...
without a pc, how do I use a DAC?
You sound much restored today after the holidays craziness. With the J2 available are all these $700+ DACs really worth it? I am still looking at an R2R DAC, but need to save up a bit (24) longer. 😂. Thank you as always for your time and effort to share with us.
Simon, I moved my Denefrips Ares II out in favor of the J2 (AKM) with a lps. A little more air and space with the Ares but the detail and bass punch with the J2 really makes it better to me.
@@stevezeidman7224 Many thanks for your input Steve. I, too , am looking at the J2 with an LPS, but quite a delay in the shipping at the moment, but I would still like to experience what all the hype about R2R DACs is about.
Totally get it.
Just a thought Randy, But nobody said you can't startup a few new channels for MidTierAudioman and HiEndaudioman. As your experience and subscribers grow, it's only natural that your gear will continue to grow upscale as we have all grown through this hobby from base grade stuff, and now experience equipment where we learn first hand the Law of Diminishing Returns. I just think your style lends itself to be able to discuss those nuances that have made this channel so successful. I mean, damn! You got to quit your day job! I'm jealous and still grinding everyday looking forward to coming home and unwinding in front of my music room system! And maybe a glass of bourbon? Haha!
That’s a great idea. I think MidTierAudioman would be a logical choice for another channel. However, I think CAM has his hands full with the current channel.
I had heard somewhere else that smsl is shooting for higher end products, maybe we will see more products around the same price point.
I'd go with my Schiit Modi 3+ or if I wanted to get fancy Geshelli J2 ESS model...
Is cayin idac6 mk2 make sense?
Would a better DAC improve the Klipsch Fives? Great speaker as is.
Make sure you’ve done the firmware update for these.
Hi Randy! Thats a good one..funny review! But it is very important to me if you will answer...or somebody in a in a comments. Now came new Denafrips ares 12th edition with I2S and some fine tuning..and it is around 1000usd/or gbp (since i live in Uk). But if you take this SU-10 and compare with denafrips ares 2 in terms of raw sound performance...which you would choose? and very important...why? I want a future proof device if i am spending 1000gbp, so for me I2S would be an important. But as i can see now, Ares 12th is more slightly more than 1000gbp, and SU-10 is less than 900gbp. So if there is no sound difference as a mayor leverage, i will go for "cheaper" SU-10.
Man that's really disappointing. I've had my SA300 driving Focal bookshelves and Wharfedale towers for about a year, and I'm very satisfied but have thought of doing separates for quite a while.
I suppose I know what to avoid now.
I’m a beginner and have a question. Is a little white noise when close to the speakers normal? I’m using Aiyima T9 pro with Sony sccs5. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Nope
The Sony speakers have good high frequency response. Do you have good hearing and is this with no music playing and the volume turned to a normal listening level? This is not extremely unusual, it could be noise from nearby appliances, the power supply to the amp could be slightly noisy. If you can't hear it while listening to your favorite music in your most comfy chair, don't fret over it. Trying to chase down a gremlin like this can be maddening and expensive, and likely even futile.
@@joelcarson4602 it’s with no music and volume or input doesn’t seem to matter. I will take your advice, thank you!
@@wolfof If it doesn't change with volume control then it is likely to be electrical noise not your amp. Make sure power cables are well away from signal cables....not parallel to each other! 👍
@@steven2809 im trying to move the cables around but doesn’t seem to help. If I try with a different amp and I get the same exact sound, could the issue be the speaker cable? It’s a 14awg copper cable
Please use a sledge, hammering on the gear. This will bring an even more spectacular sound after every phrase. 😂
i2s (DDC+DAC combo) is the best interface in audio digital realm for now, period. So if you haven't implemented it correctly, you're missing something sublime that's better than your current interface: USB/COAX/OPTICAL.
i got the SU9N , based on your review too @cheapaudioman and i dont need any other "higher tier" dac (or MQA for that matter).
I don't need most of the features on this dac, so am I better off buying the Geshelli J2 AKM? Thanks for the review.
J2 AKM would be a great choice for most systems under $5,000. I got one recently to check out against some of my other DAC s, some are much more expensive. Denafrips Pontus 2, Ares 2, SMSL SU9, etc. J2 AKM holds up pretty well although it's not quite up to the Pontus's level lol. I would say something like the SU-10 doesn't make a lot of sense unless your system is in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
@@toddt5562 Thanks.
“Gosh darn it! It’s really good!” I just love that comment Randy! Thanks for doing this review. I really enjoyed it!😊
If you're into high end and I mean really high end like PS-Audio BHK 600 power amps and everything that goes with that summit hifi level, $900 is a steal. That's where you run into the i2s and aes connection territory. Ps-audio's own dac is $7,999.
I know. Paul really loves his stuff, doesn't he?
Randy I think you tricked us with the skepticism at first but that's why folks should watch the whole review.Agree about the price but IIWI reviews gave this a really detailed listen an thought it bested everything up to $1K plus it has that (now ridiculous MQA CD but who knows if it or Is2 take off in a few years ?And two USB inputs?If I were looking for sub $1K and were willing to buy Chi-Fi this would be it (this week)
Man, I sure wish you knew 'pro-audio'. Recording equipment. You would have a massive following.
recently tried a schiit magni heretic and modi muiltibit 2. was not impressed enough vs my xonar essence STX soundcard to warrant keeping them at all. If you want cheap, buy a uses Xonar Essence STX for PC use
I believe that the SMSL VMV D1SE is a cheaper version of the SU10. Worth trying it.
I owned one and returned it. D1se was barely better than 14 year old dacs I own
I don't even need a DAC, let alone a $900 one.
one of your better reviews.
Hi Randy! I heared many other reviewers saying they won't make a video if they don't like the product for any reason. Don't you think it makes sense?
I would assume there is one toroid per channel. Usally a good thing!
It is worth it as long as you have money to burn. My Aiyima T8 sounds nice and it glows.
Very interesting…Heavy Artie Johnson voice!
Yeah, I spotted the gold feet right away and and I'm not a fan either. Some brushed aluminum, stainless steel, or just black would fit better. Oh well.
While still less than half the price of this (400), I own the SMSL D300 which is one of the few DAC's that has a ROHM BD34301EKV DAC and does MQA ;) The reason I got it was after listening to a friend's iBasso DAP with the same DAC and it was something special. Typical inputs (USB, optical, digital coax and BT which I don't care about.
Just better than ESS or AKM when done right, at least to my ears personally. I would love to see Randy review it but it's a year old so it's not. Like it's a new DAC. Only other DAC's I have seen with that DAC are well over 1K.
You chose very well. The D300 is exceptional.
I2S is soooooo 2021!!! I don’t even look at a DAC now without a LAN input.