Eversolo DAC Z8 Review... I was surprised surprised...

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
  • Head to squarespace.co... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code cheapaudioman
    Eversolo DAC Z8 amzn.to/3lGegBY
    Support the Channel by Shopping on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK
    Cheap Audio Man Store Front shop.howl.me/cam
    Join the best hifi community out there! / cheapaudioman
    TRY ROON roonlabs.com/r...
    Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF
    Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9
    Crutchfield shop-links.co/...
    Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/...
    amzn.to/3GkNaop
    CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K
    apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P
    massdrop.7eer....
    Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9
    Tidal Deal bit.ly/3fQvNkq
    www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman
    High Res Music Streaming for FREE!!!!
    Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial amzn.to/3fiiMPC
    Test Track Playlist:
    music.amazon.c...
    Satanic Panic Playlist:
    music.amazon.c...
    Leg Warmers Playlist
    music.amazon.c...
    cheapaudioman
    If you click on this link and sign up for a free trial I will receive a small referral fee.
    If you use any of my links to purchase products I will receive a small commission on the sale of that item. Won’t cost you any more to purchase with the link.
    Recommended Streamer
    WIIM Mini amzn.to/33CL99w
    Bluesound Node shop-links.co/...
    Recommended Speaker List
    Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
    Sony SSCS5 - Lively amzn.to/3pZNnGk
    Neumi BS5 -Neutral amzn.to/3q0SR3B
    Elac BS41 amzn.to/3SBmEgq
    Around $200
    Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ - Crystal Clear and Punchy emotiva.com?aff=9
    Jamo Concert howl.me/cf295u...
    Elac Debut b5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/2WPNQxw
    JBL Stage A130 - Neutral/Great All Arounder at $179 the best value amzn.to/3t7gOHe
    Around $400
    Emotiva B2+ emotiva.com?aff=9
    Jamo C93ii Bit - Boosted on Top howl.me/cf295u...
    Q Acoustics 3030i - Neutral with Punch - amzn.to/2OQkpLo
    Around $500
    SVS Prime bit.ly/2LozJgF
    Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 bit.ly/2ZckoD9
    Wharfedale Denton 80th amzn.to/3Sv8RIq
    Around $600
    Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/3s3srPG
    Elac Debut Reference - Buttery but Detailed amzn.to/39bt6WC
    Polk Reserve R100/200 howl.me/cf29Ue...
    Aperion Novus - Neutral and probably the best desktop speaker one can get $599 bit.ly/2Q1H9rW
    Aperion Novus Open Box $449 bit.ly/3us8zGx
    Wharfedale Diamonds Lush and Detailed amzn.to/3aBAso0 Come as singles
    Recommended Amp List
    Under $100
    Aiyima A07 - Neutral and Full amzn.to/3g9YLNf
    Around $130
    Aiyima T9 amzn.to/3F8eOb6
    Around $250
    SMSL DA-9 Balanced Amp amzn.to/34SdbLs
    Around $400
    Emotiva TA1 - DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs - Balanced and Tasty emotiva.com?aff=9
    Recommended DACs
    Geshelli Labs J2 geshelli.com/p...
    SMSL SU8s amzn.to/2SWTGiw
    Denafrips Ares 2 www.denafrips....
    Subs
    Emotiva SE8 emotiva.com?aff=9
    Emotiva SE12 emotiva.com?aff=9
    SVS SB1000 Pro bit.ly/3scmwsc

Комментарии • 196

  • @dlsisson1970
    @dlsisson1970 Год назад +43

    Sith Audio White Fluff Hair Resistor reduces follicle interference.
    Comes 13 in a box and retails for $1399.

  • @jeffchristian6798
    @jeffchristian6798 Год назад +16

    Love this blind-comparo format.

  • @mehmetcamat4458
    @mehmetcamat4458 Год назад +6

    I have an EverSolo Z8 DAC and I like it a lot. It is pretty smooth like almost an R2R dac. The base is pretty strong and the highs are rolled off and pretty smooth. Midrange is very clean and well separated. Once you listen to it for a long period of time you start liking it more

    • @INeedsMoneys
      @INeedsMoneys Год назад

      Have you heard the Topping D90? If so, how does it compare? Thanks

    • @mehmetcamat4458
      @mehmetcamat4458 Год назад

      ​@@INeedsMoneys No I have not sorry. But you can listen to @iiWiReviews he reviewed the EverSolo Z8 and compared it to Topping D90

    • @gary2556
      @gary2556 Год назад

      Does the D90 sound the same/ similar to D90 se?

    • @dingbat19
      @dingbat19 Год назад +1

      I also have a Z8 - I think it is a phenomenal DAC actually - quite neutral but not boring at all - in my system with Cyrus amplification the Z8 is not rolled off particularly in the treble so I guess it depends on system matching as to how it sounds

    • @mehmetcamat4458
      @mehmetcamat4458 Год назад +1

      @@dingbat19 could be my amp is a Hegel H95 and my speakers are KEF LS50 Metas. They sound pretty warm but at the same time very transparent and together with Z8 it sounds warm and the highs are well heard but not fatiguing nor sharp that is what I mean by rolled off which I like it cause you can still here the details without any edginess

  • @tomakealongstoryshorter
    @tomakealongstoryshorter Год назад +4

    The Eversolo z8 also got a great review and measurements on audio science review

  • @murfmurphy6212
    @murfmurphy6212 Год назад +17

    The white dot is a thing now isn't it 😂😂

  • @Oldcrow77
    @Oldcrow77 Год назад +4

    I have a great system. I just come here now for Randy’s witty banter and to see where the (UFO) unidentified fluffy object will appear next 👽

  • @estenray5385
    @estenray5385 Год назад +2

    Hey Randy thanks for the great review! I’m very intrigued by the Ever solo Z8 DAC and would love to see you do a side by side comparison of the Geshelli Labs J2 AKM with this Ever Solo! I would really like to know how they compare Sound stage wise width and depth as well as imaging!

  • @andrewwardle-bu9yx
    @andrewwardle-bu9yx Год назад +2

    tried a few now , i have RME ADI2 and love it .

  • @Renderman-Official
    @Renderman-Official Год назад +3

    Eversolo DAC Z8 vs Geshelli Labs J2 when?

  • @Jedi71
    @Jedi71 Год назад +49

    Are we supposed to wager on where the white fluff will appear next?

    • @Brian_Romska
      @Brian_Romska Год назад +4

      If you’re correct then you win the product in the review and he includes the white dot too, make sure you sign and notarize it too Randy so we know it’s the actual dot from the video

    • @leegill2427
      @leegill2427 Год назад +2

      Glad I'm not the only one to notice it, that's 3 videos now with the fluff 🤣 It has a life of it's own...

    • @steveh545
      @steveh545 Год назад +2

      @@leegill2427 wonder if it's the same fluff?

    • @curtislavoie2242
      @curtislavoie2242 Год назад +1

      I refuse to believe it’s an accident 😅

    • @SyzygyNoon
      @SyzygyNoon Год назад +1

      Are you familiar with the story “Horton Hears A Who!”? I believe the white thing is the speck, and Randy is the clover.
      (Don’t worry, Randy, those voices you’re hearing are real.)

  • @JohnScheppler
    @JohnScheppler Год назад +1

    Awesome review, I really like this format for reviewing.

  • @cabronesse386
    @cabronesse386 Год назад +2

    Hey Randy there's still no DDC review here, there are many cheap to expensive DDCs to play with while harnessing the superiority of I2S compared to Coax-optical and even USB.
    Once you got the matching DDC-DAC through I2S, you can't go back, at least that's my experience.

  • @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene
    @WildernessMusic_GentleSerene Год назад +1

    Help me understand. A stand-alone DAC is the perfect solution for adding EQ. Pre analog conversion we could have a digital 31 band stereo equalizer. IF you own a decent sounding system, just a few decibels of change in a few frequencies are all you need to compensate for room acoustics and add that warmth that is missing or detail in mids and highs. Why is adding digital EQ a solution no DACs take advantage of?

  • @apparentlyretrograde
    @apparentlyretrograde Год назад +1

    I have the SMSL hooked up via Freya N/monoblocked Gjallarhorns (or my Willsenton R300) through either KEF Q150's, Focal Chora 826's or KLH Model 5's. Also driving Hifiman Edition XS via the headphone jack. I haven't noticed any harshness or sibilance. All sounds lovely to me!

  • @johnd7268
    @johnd7268 Год назад +2

    Their upcoming streamer, the DMP-A6, looks pretty cool as well!

  • @Simon_Hawkshaw
    @Simon_Hawkshaw Год назад +2

    I have watched other reviews of the EverSolo and others like it too. Fake VU meters sold me. 😂 Thank you for your time and effort to share this with us all.

    • @ianjones1034
      @ianjones1034 Год назад

      I wonder if it has occurred to lecturers , teachers etc who are complicit in this historical vandalism , what will
      be the end result once the narrative is fully accepted ? i sincerely hope it's karma and the participating idiots
      are replaced , removed and their places taken by POC who will have the necessary forged credentials

    • @estenray5385
      @estenray5385 Год назад +2

      @@ianjones1034WTF???!

    • @billd9667
      @billd9667 Год назад +1

      The NAD M10 and M33 have fake meters too and they piss me off. As they are both integrated amps, there is no excuse for not showing actual power usage.

  • @richardjamison711
    @richardjamison711 Год назад +2

    A/B with J2 - yes please!

  • @carolineleonard8214
    @carolineleonard8214 Год назад +2

    Just found the Eversolo DAC for £600 in the UK along with all specs. It appears a very high value DAC when all specs are considered e.g. it even has MQA decoding. I'm now intrigued and may try to borrow one to audition.

  • @Durkhead
    @Durkhead Год назад +1

    White dot audio sounds pretty catchy

  • @INeedsMoneys
    @INeedsMoneys Год назад +2

    How does the EverSolo DAC Z8 compare to the Topping D90? 🤔

  • @frankenstudio22
    @frankenstudio22 Год назад +3

    I am curious how these would sound after a break in / burn in.

  • @jimalbruzzess2445
    @jimalbruzzess2445 Год назад +1

    Hey Randy, great video. Try the Schiit bifrost compared to the Eversolo please, or not. I guess it depends if you can get a bifrost. Thanks for the video!!!!

  • @albertonarduzzi8620
    @albertonarduzzi8620 Год назад +1

    Hi Randy!!! Getting the Z8 next week. I think the VU meters aren't fake, a lot of people say not only they're real, but also responsive.

    • @dingbat19
      @dingbat19 Год назад +1

      how do you fins z8? I'm loving mine !

    • @albertonarduzzi8620
      @albertonarduzzi8620 Год назад +1

      @@dingbat19 I love it too!!! Compared to my previous external "DAC" (a musician-oriented audio interface) is far more detailed, has better bass control, wider and deeper soundstage. I wouldn't call it the "perfect" DAC, but at its price tag is definitely something I'd recommend to a music fanatic! :-)

    • @alberthalim7767
      @alberthalim7767 Год назад

      What would be your perfect dac

    • @albertonarduzzi8620
      @albertonarduzzi8620 Год назад +1

      @@alberthalim7767 I haven't tried many, so cannot answer; but money permitting, I'd chose the Chord DAVE.

  • @javier38588
    @javier38588 Год назад +1

    I would love a review of the EverSolo DAC-Z6, it's like the Z8 little brother.

  • @JoJanDiezel
    @JoJanDiezel Год назад +1

    Please, a need an answer. Can you youse (for Eversolo DAC Z8) RCA and XLR of this DAC at the same time? I want to use mu subs along with the RCAs for the amp and that's how I use my Topping E50. I will buy this one straight away, if it can do this

    • @thedownunderverse
      @thedownunderverse 10 месяцев назад

      Yes it can. You can choose XLR only, RCA only, and XLR/RCA together.

  • @jeffjefferson7384
    @jeffjefferson7384 Год назад +1

    The SMSL looks SO CUTE.

  • @MrCADuncan
    @MrCADuncan Год назад +2

    Thanks, Randy! Always learn something from your videos. Cheap Audiomen unite!

  • @Olofberglund
    @Olofberglund Год назад +6

    What a coincidence! I casually visited one of the local dealers' website tofays and saw the dacs of Eversolo for the first time. Yes there is another one, the more affordable z6. Eyeing the specs, they seem quite similar. But the z6 is some $300 cheaper (inkl 25% VAT, so $240 ores sales tax equivalent. Would love to see a review of that too! And I would definitely like to see a J2 comparison as well 💁‍♀️😅

    • @dingbat19
      @dingbat19 Год назад +2

      The Z6 does not have the 9038 Pro chip, it has a lower spec power supply and lower spec op amps I believe - most reviewers who have listened to both suggest the Z8 is worth the extra cost

  • @D1N02
    @D1N02 Год назад +3

    I have the m500 MKIII no problem with sibilance. If anything I think they are a bit to smooth. Using the slow roll off or Slow minimum. (standard filter is the fast roll off). It's actually 530 when not on sale.

  • @fredmaloney395
    @fredmaloney395 Год назад

    Question concerning DAC? If an amplifier has internal DAC and one installs external DAC…which one is utilized? Let’s say one uses an Apple adapter with built in DAC to amplifier with built in DAC…which one is recognized??

  • @fmtntiger
    @fmtntiger Год назад +1

    Randy, any recommendation for a streamer + dac together besides the two that you had listed here? I was looking at the MK III but only connectivity that I see is blue tooth. I have a blue node and like it a lot but looking for all in one type system except amplification and balanced outputs.

    • @sosojerk
      @sosojerk Год назад +1

      EverSolo DMP-A6

  • @NeilBlanchard
    @NeilBlanchard Год назад +8

    Nice format! The treble "hardness" you mentioned is often something that diminishes or even "goes away" with some use aka burn-in. The op-amps and other analog output devices can often get smoother/cleaner/clearer with a few hours or up to a few days of continuous use.
    I hope that you can do a direct comparison with the J2 - with both the same ESS chip, and with the AKM version?
    And I hope that you can review the new Geshelli J2S (socketed op-amps) DAC.

    • @mrb5217
      @mrb5217 Год назад +8

      That's nonsense

  • @ingalook
    @ingalook Год назад

    "Ever Solo" ? That was my nickname at the Swingers' parties back in the day...

  • @BarryBianculli
    @BarryBianculli Год назад

    Hi Randy - If you get the chance, I would like to see your review of the Eversolo DMP-A6!

  • @kingtrance307
    @kingtrance307 Год назад

    How’s the app implementation on the Zidoo Ever Solo app? Are you able to smoothly control Tidal, TuneIn, Radio Paradise and Neil Young Archives on it? Is it as easy to use as the BluOS app? How’s the sound quality compare to the Node 2? Thanks for the feedback…

  • @CinemaDemocratica
    @CinemaDemocratica Год назад

    [This] is a lot to spend on DACs that glare on top with their straight-out-of-the-box settings. I mean, if glare on top is dismissible in a DAC, then you can get that for a lot less than [this much money].

  • @MarylandDevin
    @MarylandDevin Год назад

    I got the new Bifrost, I like it, but wish I had done more A/B testing first

  • @Anh-Áo-Nâu
    @Anh-Áo-Nâu 11 месяцев назад

    Great video as always.
    Do you know what is different between Zidoo NEO S and Everso Z8?
    Everso series are made by Zidoo and i had Zidoo NEO S for many years.

  • @tom6363
    @tom6363 Год назад +1

    I have always been confused with external DAC’s. Is there an easy way to connect them to a Denon avr which would bypass the Denon internal DAC and I could play hi res music through the Denon using my Apple Music content?

    • @pnichols6500
      @pnichols6500 Год назад

      Optical inputs on your AVR go through it's DAC, RCA inputs don't.
      Use the RCA out on another DAC, to your RCA inputs and you bypass your AVR DAC and hear the sound signal running through the other DAC to your AVR.
      So you can hook up any Optical signals (TV, Streamer etc) to the other DAC and then to your AVR
      RCA input.

  • @HaraHetta
    @HaraHetta Год назад

    How it compred with NODE dac or ares 2?

  • @whollymindless
    @whollymindless Год назад +1

    Drop the MQA and save $100 in royalties.

  • @markmorgan371
    @markmorgan371 Год назад

    Randy, what’s up with the random white fluff in various locations? Like the Les Nessman bandaid?

  • @therealboofighter
    @therealboofighter Год назад

    I am a sucker for VU meters as well.

  • @NosEL34
    @NosEL34 Год назад +1

    I don't know how it sounds but the Eversolo did measure well. No internal or power supply noise is audible. Low noise floor while being very dynamic and transparent. I know not everyone cares about that crap but at least you know it's well engineered from a noise standpoint...I do care about this stuff to a degree, especially with dacs.

  • @kennyutube123
    @kennyutube123 Год назад +1

    The white fluffy "Schiit" in your hair was present until the cut at 4:20, Hmm.. four twenty, I can't concentrate with the fluff. Can you repeat everything please?

  • @asan1050
    @asan1050 Год назад

    Thanks Much !

  • @Elder_Gods_Minion
    @Elder_Gods_Minion Год назад

    I know it really isn't in your wheelhouse but you should really add "Heart of my own" by Basia Bulat to your list of songs to evaluate musical equipment by. This song has been a stand by for me for a couple of years and is wonderful just to listen to regardless.

  • @dougg1075
    @dougg1075 Год назад

    Love the look

  • @jawileth5412
    @jawileth5412 Год назад

    Do you happen to have the xduoo MP-01 on your radar? It's a tube phono preamp/ preamp/ headphone amp for 150 dollars! Really interested in it but can't find anything on it online anywhere

  • @WigandKleine
    @WigandKleine Год назад

    Hey Randy,
    would it be possible for you to review the CSS 2TD-X towers?
    Thanks so much. Will either build those or the 1TD-X :)

  • @Ian-wh8ut
    @Ian-wh8ut Год назад

    um o k. whats up at 12:14? sith audio funny as hell!

  • @gtric1466
    @gtric1466 Год назад

    How would you compare sound quality wise to one of the Schiit DAC's?

  • @mattpobursky850
    @mattpobursky850 Год назад +3

    Randy, ASR did a review of the Eversolo DAC Z8 on Jan 30, 2023 and it was excellent in all regards except HP output, which was clean but the power was fairly low by today's standards (and for a $700 DAC, IMO). That matches up with your listening tests!

    • @nicoras8803
      @nicoras8803 Год назад

      If the power seems low, why don't you just use a 100 watt power amp. Or do you think it won't work. Where do you people obtain your technical skills from, comic books?

    • @Hirnlego999
      @Hirnlego999 Год назад +5

      @@nicoras8803 "Or do you think it won't work. Where do you people obtain your technical skills from, comic books?" said without a hint of irony?
      Power amps are not suitable for headphones, they operate with impedance not made for headphones.
      And lots of power amps are not clean enough for headphone use either

    • @chebrubin
      @chebrubin Год назад

      Yeah people keep under powering the headphone output.
      I don't understand why these vendors don't devote a separate amplifier module for headphone pathway channel these days? The quality of headphones these days. Should include powerful ICE class D 2 channel high powered amplifier units.
      Of course there should be limits to the output

    • @INeedsMoneys
      @INeedsMoneys Год назад +1

      @@chebrubin this would increase both size of the unit and cost. I would rather have a cheaper and smaller DAC without the damn headphone amp integrated in to it. But thats just me 🧐👍

  • @s197mustangfan
    @s197mustangfan Год назад

    What happens if you connect three different dac’s in a row in a system? Which one wins?

  • @nicoras8803
    @nicoras8803 Год назад

    What does driving headphones easier mean. Can you see it sweating or does it grown under load or does it clip, get hot, hum, lights flicker, what?

    • @arthurkillen396
      @arthurkillen396 Год назад +2

      When an amp struggles to drive headphones, the sound may get louder, but it begins to seem thin and harsh. A well driven headphone will have larger swings between loud and soft sounds (dynamics), and never sound constrained. Imagine someone who can barely do 20 pushups, vs someone who can easily do 20 pushups. Number 20 will look very different for the two people.

  • @martinclift3843
    @martinclift3843 Год назад

    The Eversolo is £1.4k in the UK 😮
    Great video....!

    • @jimfarrell4635
      @jimfarrell4635 Год назад +3

      It seems to be £599 in the UK. Did you see the solid gold version?

    • @estenray5385
      @estenray5385 Год назад

      I believe your looking at a different model. Probably the one with the internal streamer. As it is a more expensive model.

  • @claudiomartinez7188
    @claudiomartinez7188 Год назад

    Thanks

  • @marcinmarcin4811
    @marcinmarcin4811 11 месяцев назад

    Hi :) I'm looking something to work with Focal Clear and Apple Music...will Eversolo Z8 be a good choice? or maybe FIIO R7? or some other suggestions? :)

  • @reestyfarts
    @reestyfarts Год назад

    Is there a DAC out there with two Toslink, two digital coax, switchable?

  • @dlloyd6300
    @dlloyd6300 Год назад

    Next time you do one of these just ask one of your patrons to send you the specs so that you can get the information but be shielded from the pricing.

  • @Remo860
    @Remo860 Год назад

    Why is it that manufacturers insist on putting RCA on the digital coax when BNC is so much better. RCA isn’t even made for RF.

  • @timothymoorman7437
    @timothymoorman7437 Год назад

    Oxford Dictionary: Cacophony is a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds. Think racket. Excuse the correction.

    • @ccbox23
      @ccbox23 Год назад

      "Cornucopia " may have been the word in the back of his mind..."an abundant supply of good things".

  • @gage4375
    @gage4375 Год назад

    I have the smsl do100 is worth the upgrade

  • @MrOzkarlopez
    @MrOzkarlopez Год назад

    hey Randy, what would you say the future DAC technology will be??

  • @kevinr8404
    @kevinr8404 9 месяцев назад

    Randy hows the eversolo dac compare with the emotiva xda-3

  • @allanrichardson5856
    @allanrichardson5856 Год назад

    theres lots of reviews of review on you tube on thr eversolo , you must have seen them

  • @hightechhighlander
    @hightechhighlander Год назад

    I'm rocking a Behringer Interface UMC202HD into Fosi V1.0G and some Sony bookshelfs and I am very happy with that. Is a DAC really needed? I am planning to build a system with some speakers I have in the basement and I was going to buy a WiiM Pro and a BT10D what kind of value do I get from the external DAC verses the built in DAC in the Wiim Pro? DACs are pricey and if I am happy with the PC setup is the DAC really worth the extra cash?

    • @arthurkillen396
      @arthurkillen396 Год назад

      I have the UMC404HD and also several DACs ranging from $100-$1000. You will notice a difference between the "pro" oriented sound of the 202, vs the "consumer" oriented sound of a good DAC. The DAC will make the music sound more sweet, put more space between the instruments, and generally inject a certain amount of emotion into the sound. If you set up your speakers correctly, you'll also begin to notice a 3D soundstage with the DAC. The 202 is valuable for production, inputs, and when you need to hear what is happening during mixing. It's like the difference between tasting your food while working in the kitchen, or seated in the dining room.

    • @INeedsMoneys
      @INeedsMoneys Год назад

      Your behringer unit has one of the worst sounding DACs inside, based on measurements. I would highly recommend a new dac. Audio interfaces have notoriously bad DACs inside. If you would hear a difference is another story, that depends on the quality of your speakers and headphones as well as amplifier. You dont want anything to bottleneck your setup.

    • @hightechhighlander
      @hightechhighlander Год назад

      @@INeedsMoneys I am not concerned about the DAC in my current setup I am more worried that without one from the WiiM Pro into the Fosi that it would sound worse that what I have. I like what I have.

    • @hightechhighlander
      @hightechhighlander Год назад

      @@arthurkillen396 what if I love eating in the bar.

    • @INeedsMoneys
      @INeedsMoneys Год назад

      @@hightechhighlander i used to love what i had too, then i tried a better one and I realized i now hate the one i used to love. This goes for most equipment

  • @charleskatz2606
    @charleskatz2606 Год назад

    Randy I thin k you should be a contestant on the Price Is Right

  • @knobbshots
    @knobbshots Год назад

    You said the first one had a 9003?

  • @andrewwebb9426
    @andrewwebb9426 11 месяцев назад

    Incredibly brave! Well done. The UK Amazon price is £620 in Sept 2023. The SMSL DAC m300 mkIII doesn’t seem to be available here but the mkII is down to about £250.
    I guess that the DAC market is incredibly volatile at the moment. I suspect the initial asking price bears very little relation to its actual manufacturing cost. The price the DAC settles to after a few months seems to depend on its popularity rather than its technical performance. This is all down to online and in print reviewers.
    The more mature hifi market has come to realise that ‘vintage’ amps, speakers, turntables and so on can sound just as good as modern stuff. Will this happen to DACs as well, I wonder?

  • @Rock-Pirate
    @Rock-Pirate Год назад +1

    Oh boy! Another dac video!

  • @puddleglumsmusiccollection9151

    What do you think of peachtree audio

  • @richardwagner4460
    @richardwagner4460 Год назад

    Is Cousin Eddie a nod to Project Farm?

  • @gmlgml780
    @gmlgml780 Год назад

    Yeah.
    I think there's a thing
    what is not emphasized enough in this
    hobby.
    It's synergy.
    We like to think of
    the components of the audio rig like
    good or bad.
    And that those are interchangeable.
    But (maybe to varying degrees, but still)
    even the best ones has a character.
    Own character, tonally and other ways.
    And actually you can say "good or bad"
    only for the whole setup, the whole rig.
    For example, recently I got a Blon B50.
    Somebody says it's a good headphone,
    sounding very well,
    others say it's a total waste,
    not a worth to mention it anywhere.
    When I got it I had only a short listening session with it,
    with my phone,
    I liked it, it found it a bit better than average,
    but I'm able to listen to it extensively only now, after weeks.
    I began to listen to it with my old Pioneer SA-510
    which is my favorite rig with my favorite Verum 1.
    And it sounded way below average.
    I began to understand how somebody can say this headphone is crppy.
    (The Blon, not the Verum.)
    Actually I was sad, that maybe those are right who are beating the Blon.
    But after that I plugged it into a Schiit Magni 3,
    and everything got into its place. It sounds not even better than average,
    it sounds great with the Magni 3.
    (While I very dislike the Verum 1 with the Magni 3 without an EQ.)
    You can't say the Blon is crp until you put it into a Magni 3,
    and you still say that you don't like it.
    With the Pioneer I wouldn't like to pay a dime for the Blon.
    With the Magni the Blon sounds 5 times better
    than its price.
    So in this hobby,
    synergy is everything.
    DAC, AMPs and the headphone or the speakers.
    The very same component can be good AND bad,
    excessively,
    regarding of the other components.
    We almost should forget about simply saying "good or bad"
    we could only say
    "good or bad WITH these other components
    together".
    (Which makes everything a 1000 times more
    complex
    but what could we do, when that is the actual
    truth.)

    • @gmlgml780
      @gmlgml780 Год назад

      Yeah.
      I just said,
      and I just forgot.
      In this case,
      the DAC was a Topping NX4 DSD
      with its line out.
      :)

  • @tomgibson5769
    @tomgibson5769 Год назад

    Yup more fluff. Randy your plot is working😅

  • @vinyljoe1940
    @vinyljoe1940 Год назад +1

    Is a comparison to the J2 a fair question?

  • @ssleddens
    @ssleddens Год назад

    Go Huskers!!

  • @cptsimian
    @cptsimian Год назад

    You need an Onkyo TX-7000

  • @toddkennedy5714
    @toddkennedy5714 Год назад

    I have an idea!
    WRIST WATCHES!!!!!!
    That is all….

  • @scottpaddock6685
    @scottpaddock6685 Год назад

    You really need to warn people that Apos warranty is a lie.

  • @x7104x
    @x7104x Год назад

    Please tell me these three white fluff videos were all shot on the same day. Otherwise this is going to turn into a standing requirement!😃

  • @shipsahoy1793
    @shipsahoy1793 Год назад

    If it makes you feel any better,
    I guessed $399 and $699, so I was $50 off on the lower priced unit, whereas for you it was the other way around..

  • @chrislj2890
    @chrislj2890 Год назад

    Okay, now you're just screwin' with us.

  • @epi2045
    @epi2045 Год назад

    Glad you used a Wiim Pro wifi streamer. However I’m curious what the quality sounds via the 5.0 bluetooth connection.

  • @onefatstratcat
    @onefatstratcat Год назад

    For that price it better wash my car and do the dishes.. and paint the house every 10 years!

  • @tomekichiyamamoto2177
    @tomekichiyamamoto2177 Год назад

    This thing ain’t cheap.
    You become less and less the voice of « cheap » audio 🤣

    • @tomekichiyamamoto2177
      @tomekichiyamamoto2177 Год назад

      @P T
      Then what ? 🤣
      What is expensive at the moment of publishing the video is … expensive.
      So the channel is lesser and lesser presenting, accessible, affordable, the so called “cheap audio man” stuffs
      The content doesn’t correspond to the channel’s name.

    • @tomekichiyamamoto2177
      @tomekichiyamamoto2177 Год назад

      @P T
      Expensive or not can be objectively defined by salary.
      If an item costs 3-4 weeks of salary, this is not cheap anymore

  • @T_Burd_75
    @T_Burd_75 Год назад +12

    Wow. A $700 DAC. That's more than I have invested in all three of my systems. I guess cheap means something different for some than for others.

    • @TriAmpHiFi
      @TriAmpHiFi Год назад +1

      Maybe there's room for the "CheapestAudioMan" out there. Price caps at $49? Could be interesting. 🔈🔉🔊

    • @T_Burd_75
      @T_Burd_75 Год назад +5

      @@TriAmpHiFi I should start my own channel featuring cheap audio gear for us folks who aren't rich.

    • @ClassifiedBrief
      @ClassifiedBrief Год назад +6

      It really is realitive... $700 is less than absolutely everything in my current system, including even the cables combined. I started with 2-300 worth of gear and overtime kept putting money into things, selling, upgrading ect. It's not an overnight journey but I went from $300 total system to a 40k system over 15 years of putting spare spending money towards it. This is on very average income years of my life, FAR from wealthy. I just always put spare money when I could. If you buy a few Starbucks a month, over 15 years you have peed out thousands. It's all relative how you budget. I'm saying this as inspiration as you can absolutely over time build a nice system (even $2500 total system can rock!!)

    • @T_Burd_75
      @T_Burd_75 Год назад +2

      @@ClassifiedBrief Most people wouldn't consider something cheap if it takes years to purchase or work up to.
      I remember when I was supporting a family of four on 35k/year and thought I was doing well for myself. Now, over ten years later, I haven't made $3500 in the last two years, so what's cheap to me now has a different meaning than what cheap meant a decade ago.
      And Starbucks? Not my style. Real men brew their own coffee. There's a whole book in the Bible dedicated to that. It's called Hebrews. 😉

    • @ClassifiedBrief
      @ClassifiedBrief Год назад

      @@T_Burd_75 I don't even buy coffee, whatever is free laying around I drink. However to say "real men" brew coffee and going all religious is like me saying "real men make more than 35k a year"
      I was simply trying to say you can build an amazing system if you want it bad enough and work towards it over time. If you aren't willing to do that, then it's not for you. Nothing in life is overnight. Patience is a virtue. If you want cheap, buy cheap, but don't expect to even compare to even modest price equipment. You get what you pay for, majority of the time, in audio.

  • @gyurabalazs7551
    @gyurabalazs7551 Год назад

    What happened to the cheap audio man? I see 700 and Kilobuck dacs in review on the channel. How that cheap, especially in a recession?

  • @beach4me2007
    @beach4me2007 7 месяцев назад

    The lightsaber in the background is distracting

  • @tomakealongstoryshorter
    @tomakealongstoryshorter Год назад +3

    Time to change the name of the channel to cheap audio white fluff in my hair

    • @Brian_Romska
      @Brian_Romska Год назад

      I was about to suggest the exact same thing

    • @fonkenful
      @fonkenful Год назад

      Just be sure that your white dots are Sith Audio grade for optimal auditory nirvana.

  • @jdm-uk-yank
    @jdm-uk-yank Год назад

    Will you be tevi6 the Aries II 12th

  • @don7680
    @don7680 Год назад

    You've got something in your hair again

  • @tophat27
    @tophat27 Год назад

    Gigadi

  • @tog2842
    @tog2842 Год назад

    Do a top 5 dacs. 200, 400, 600, 800 - $1000. Update every 2/3 months?

  • @timleelim9930
    @timleelim9930 Год назад

    Ever so low in price?

  • @ericelliott227
    @ericelliott227 Год назад +2

    Comparing DACs by any means is next to impossible unless one is comparing unlike DACS, such as R2R vs Sigma Delta.
    The deal killer for me personally, regardless of cost, on both these DACS is the fact they are MQA capable or compliant. I won't purchase anything that says MQA or "audiophile", I don't care what it is or does, even if it's 50 cents.

    • @TriAmpHiFi
      @TriAmpHiFi Год назад

      My red line is "made in china" 🔈🔉🔊

    • @ericelliott227
      @ericelliott227 Год назад +2

      @@TriAmpHiFi You must not have anything then? 98% if everything everyone has, audio and otherwise, is made in China. I've seen decent audio gear come out of china and I've seen terrible gear come out of china. It depends on how the brand or what have you is set up there. You would also be surprised how many audio products labeled "made in the USA" or "Made in Ireland" or Germany, etc. have components sourced from China. Some makes try to use "made" and "assembled" synonymously or substitute them with one another to try to trick everyone. "Made" means all parts and assembly are from within the same country. "Assembled" means that the unit is assembled in claimed country, but the parts may have been sourced from elsewhere or some par-assembly occurs elsewhere, such as China and final assembly takes place in country of claim.
      Really, the only thing that should matter is performance and longevity at the end of the day. If it checks all or most of the boxes, its good, no matter where it is made.

  • @emiliosanchez4482
    @emiliosanchez4482 5 месяцев назад

    Publituber que da alaridos

  • @rickscheck5330
    @rickscheck5330 Год назад

    Paid for YT premium. Two ads in two minutes? Bye.

  • @peytonsnead3114
    @peytonsnead3114 Год назад

    At $700 i would probably go with the Mojo2. But i have not heard either.

    • @ENGLISHISBEST
      @ENGLISHISBEST Год назад

      700? Is it worth that outlay. I remember the days people enjoyed music rather than analysing it with such depth..

    • @peytonsnead3114
      @peytonsnead3114 Год назад

      @@ENGLISHISBEST i agree completely. Even an average musical performance is some kind of soul bearing miracle...and for the listeners, as Randy says, it will fill your soul with happiness.

  • @ikymagoo
    @ikymagoo Год назад

    A little piece of styrofoam in your hair, so distracting 😂