Nice video on the X8. If you are going to review the X7S you need balanced cables for your headphones. In my experience the balanced out is noticeably better than the SE out.
I agree -- I have this setup. The Sparkos is too big to replace the op-amp cover plate, but I improvised. I cut a segment from a plastic pill box (from which I'd removed the lid) and duck taped it over the op-amp. To be able to keep the DAC the right side up, I glued 4 approx 1" brass spikes, one to each corner of its base. The bottom of the pill box segment ends up clear of the surface supporting the Aune. Altogether, this enables the Aune to easily compete against others up to the £1000 price mark. This is for a total of around £450 for the DAC + Sparkos + upgraded power supply. A very good buy IMHO!
Very informative video, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this DAC. I also have this exact model and I like it very much. Could you please tell me what phase combination is the factory default setting? Thank you.
FPGA does NOT enable the OP amps so they can operate! That is the clearest sign you don't know what you're talking about. FPGA is implemented to perform the D-to-A conversion. 34.7K subs apparently aren't too smart
Too bad you didn't get an answer. I am scouring the internet trying to find that out. Is it still single ended or balanced circuit design? My guess would be the TRS is for convenience only since the new X8 costs the same as the old X8 from 2 years ago but can't assume that.
That is correct, the FPGA has nothing to do with the Op Amps. The question then is, where is the FPGA being used in this DAC and how might it affect the final sound quality?
Timmmmyyyyyy….😮 So it doesn’t do any thing special to the 10101001 …it’s all depends on what output OPAMP you select …..so it’s another box to add onto your stack🤷🏻♂️
![Megan Thee Stallion - Neva Play (feat. RM) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TpYTyAaTRts/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the X8 that I bought in 2020 with the MUSES01 op amp. I use it with the THX 789. I think it sounds great especially with my IEMs
Is this how Pandora's box was opened?
Nice video on the X8. If you are going to review the X7S you need balanced cables for your headphones. In my experience the balanced out is noticeably better than the SE out.
With the Sparkos SS3602 opamp and the XP2 or 3 power supply and a decently shielded power cable, this plays in an entirely different league
I agree -- I have this setup. The Sparkos is too big to replace the op-amp cover plate, but I improvised. I cut a segment from a plastic pill box (from which I'd removed the lid) and duck taped it over the op-amp.
To be able to keep the DAC the right side up, I glued 4 approx 1" brass spikes, one to each corner of its base. The bottom of the pill box segment ends up clear of the surface supporting the Aune.
Altogether, this enables the Aune to easily compete against others up to the £1000 price mark. This is for a total of around £450 for the DAC + Sparkos + upgraded power supply. A very good buy IMHO!
I'm using my X8 with Burson V6 Vivid, and it's awesome! It catches up to the Shanling EH3.
Nice review! How’s the soundstage esp the depth ?
Nice review
Very informative video, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this DAC. I also have this exact model and I like it very much. Could you please tell me what phase combination is the factory default setting? Thank you.
Correct if wrong but I think it has an analogue volume pot (variable section). Can't help but wish it had remote volume
What is the TRS pre amp output for?
FPGA does NOT enable the OP amps so they can operate! That is the clearest sign you don't know what you're talking about. FPGA is implemented to perform the D-to-A conversion. 34.7K subs apparently aren't too smart
Is the internal design fully balanced or the balanced TRS out is just for convinience only.
Too bad you didn't get an answer. I am scouring the internet trying to find that out. Is it still single ended or balanced circuit design? My guess would be the TRS is for convenience only since the new X8 costs the same as the old X8 from 2 years ago but can't assume that.
FPGA architecture has absolutely nothing to do with opamps
That is correct, the FPGA has nothing to do with the Op Amps. The question then is, where is the FPGA being used in this DAC and how might it affect the final sound quality?
Timmmmyyyyyy….😮
So it doesn’t do any thing special to the 10101001 …it’s all depends on what output OPAMP you select …..so it’s another box to add onto your stack🤷🏻♂️