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Dirt cheap USB only Phillips TDA1837 R2R DAC sounds wonderful

mjw21a

mjw21a

Super Member
Ok, so I ordered a El cheapo L1387 DAC off eBay for a whole $30 to try in my desktop computer set up.

I've been pleasantly surprised by just how good this thing sounds. Not quite as dynamic as the AK4396 Elfidelity sound card I was previously running though more musical and very natural sounding. Sounds like how I remember music sounding in my younger days back in the 90's. More engaging and fatigue free. All in all a fantastic sounding DAC which cost peanuts.

For further reference I'm using a JLH 1969 Hood amp with Dayton PS180-8 full range desktop speakers + Wharfedale SW150 sub, Darkvoice 336SE amp + Monoprice Monolith M1060C headphones.

Just thought I'd share my experience. This little unit punches far above its price point.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/L1387DA...rentrq:bab6ba3c16a0ab6b55d98532fff63d12|iid:1
 
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Looks very similar to a Signstek DAC and similarly priced. I used the Signstek as my first external DAC and was very pleased. Glad you are enjoying it!!
 
Yes, it's a very nice little unit. Perfect for my computer for music and gaming anyway and fatigue free :)

My main system though runs a Gieseler GroB DAC + Kraftwerk PSU, and the second a Muji Studio DAC II. It will never compete with either of those though it is better than the Schiit Modi R2R
 
Ok, so you convinced me. If @mjw21a with his other really fine DACs hasn't tossed this little unit then there must be something good going on.

I ordered one from the seller in China on eBay. Should be here in a few weeks, so we will find out how it does mixed with my systems.

Mark Gosdin
 
They're a lovely sounding unit. Very musical and non fatiguing. Certainly can't complain about the price either :)
 
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No complaint about the price at all, eBay had given me a $5 incentive because I hadn't used them in quite a while. So with the price shipped from China being about US $24 it took it down to US $19.

Some days you just hit it right.

Mark Gosdin
 
mgosdin said:
No complaint about the price at all, eBay had given me a $5 incentive because I hadn't used them in quite a while. So with the price shipped from China being about US $24 it took it down to US $19.

Some days you just hit it right.

Mark Gosdin
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That's awesome. I think you'll enjoy this little DAC. It's a steal :)
 
mgosdin said:
No complaint about the price at all, eBay had given me a $5 incentive because I hadn't used them in quite a while. So with the price shipped from China being about US $24 it took it down to US $19.

Some days you just hit it right.

Mark Gosdin
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Will be interested to read your feedback on this little unit once you receive it :)
 
It's made the flight from China to the U.S. per the tracking. Still has to wend it's way thru the Customs Bureaucracy and the USPS. Looking forward to getting my hands on it.

Mark Gosdin
 
Best DAC I've tried under $300 so far. A big fan of the S.M.S.L Sanskrit Pro-B + Linear Power Supply which comes close to so significantly more expensive units though is also a fair bit more though I think in affordable territory.

My best units are all far more though. My current favorite is a Muji Studio DAC II upgraded with DIP8 sockets and a Philips TDA1541A S1 in place of the TDA1541A R1. Magic with a combination of LM4562NA and Burson V6 Vivid OPAMPS rather than the stock NE5532. I'm planning to replace the LM4562NA with Burson V5i though. The only issue with that DAC is low level hum though to be fair if my speakers were less sensitive that would be inaudible. 97db speakers tend to show up any issues in a system. Have to try the Gieseler GroB DAC in that system eventually.
 
DAC.jpg

It's arrived. Already can tell it has a "cleaner" presence in my Near Field setup.

Will be spending some time with it this weekend in the Main System.

Mark Gosdin
 
I remain incredibly impressed with mine. I prefer it to any Schiit DAC I've ever heard and many others.... Certainly nothing comes close without spending quite a bit more :)

A very musical and non fatiguing sound. Definitely a fan. ;)
 
I spent some time yesterday with my Nearfield system and the USB Dac.

Now my Nearfield has always used my old reliable Asus laptop's internal Dac for computer music. It does a good job, for what it is.

I listened to cuts from Gerry Rafferty's Snakes & Ladders, Chase's Pure Music and Mannheim Steamroller II. All albums that are deeply ingrained in my memory from decades of Vinyl and Digital listening on a variety of systems.

After adjusting the volume, this USB Dac doesn't put out quite the same voltage that the Asus Laptop does, I was able to tell that it has better "Definition" than the built-in. I was hearing the same notes, but they aren't as "Crowded" as they are via the built-in. It's much closer to what I think of as an Analog sound. ( I put the words describing my impressions in " " quotes, they are entirely subjective and should be taken with liberal amounts of salt. )

My Nearfield NS10m's are known for being merciless with their reproduction and will very quickly reveal flaws in music mastering or the equipment chain. So far the USB Dac has held up well with the NS10m's.

I'll have time to hook it up to my main system this weekend and spend some more time listening, but right now I'm very happy with this purchase.

Mark Gosdin
 
mgosdin said:
After adjusting the volume, this USB Dac doesn't put out quite the same voltage that the Asus Laptop does, I was able to tell that it has better "Definition" than the built-in. I was hearing the same notes, but they aren't as "Crowded" as they are via the built-in. It's much closer to what I think of as an Analog sound. ( I put the words describing my impressions in " " quotes, they are entirely subjective and should be taken with liberal amounts of salt. )

My Nearfield NS10m's are known for being merciless with their reproduction and will very quickly reveal flaws in music mastering or the equipment chain. So far the USB Dac has held up well with the NS10m's.

I'll have time to hook it up to my main system this weekend and spend some more time listening, but right now I'm very happy with this purchase.

Mark Gosdin
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Aye, definition is great though it also seems more musical than most DAC's. Has a very toe tapping quality and excellent rich tonality with instruments.... An area most modern DAC's fail in. The instruments just sound more real. A very vinyl like, analog presentation.

My Dayton PS180-8 speakers in my near field setup are like your NS10M's. They're also brutally revealing and can be quite harsh and a tad bright sounding with most sources. Just perfect with this little DAC. I imagine it would be a poor match with a warm sounding system.
 
Oh Nuts! Double Bad Ungood Nuts.

Ever since I setup my two systems I've been content with 320KBS MP3's for day in day out listening. I really, honestly, couldn't hear much of a difference between them and the loseless WAV files I keep for archival purposes.

Well now I can.

This little terror showed me that the WAV files definitely have something more for me than the MP3s, good as they sound, have.

Ugh, I can see more External DAC experimentation going forward.

Mark Gosdin
 
mgosdin said:
Oh Nuts! Double Bad Ungood Nuts.

Ever since I setup my two systems I've been content with 320KBS MP3's for day in day out listening. I really, honestly, couldn't hear much of a difference between them and the loseless WAV files I keep for archival purposes.

Well now I can.

This little terror showed me that the WAV files definitely have something more for me than the MP3s, good as they sound, have.

Ugh, I can see more External DAC experimentation going forward.

Mark Gosdin
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I've found that too. Funny how a DAC that only does 16 bit 48khz benefits but it does. On the other hand, lower bitrate rips sound better too though the higher quality recordings really do shine. The software being used for playback makes a huge difference too. This thing is the bargain of the century ;)
 
mjw21a said:
I imagine it would be a poor match with a warm sounding system.
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Would this be the case if feeding a vintage SS receiver from the 70s? Or a Dynaco SCA-35 tube amp?

I just ordered this and the Fiio D03K. This will be my first set of DACs. Still very new to this, but for $50 for both, it's a cheap start. One is USB only, the other optical/coax only. I'm going to do some experimentation.
 
DonP1 said:
Would this be the case if feeding a vintage SS receiver from the 70s? Or a Dynaco SCA-35 tube amp?

I just ordered this and the Fiio D03K. This will be my first set of DACs. Still very new to this, but for $50 for both, it's a cheap start. One is USB only, the other optical/coax only. I'm going to do some experimentation.
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Not sure hey. I've only used it in my computer setup for near field listening. My two main systems run DAC's both costing over $1k and it's not put to shame in any way by either of those.

I'd say to just give it a try and put your findings up here for others ;)
 
jgscott said:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/272418310441

Sorry to be so Dumb about this but is this the USB Female plugin that a iphone or Android phone would connect to like a charge port connection to play phone app music?
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I don't think so. Mine hasn't arrive yet, but I'm expecting it wants to be connected to a PC or laptop via USB cable, then some software would be needed to direct the digits to the USB port (instead of audio) where the DAC will then convert them to audio, then to the RCA outs to your amp.

I don't think a smartphone can output digital to the port, but I'm new and maybe there is a way with an app to direct the digits out.
 
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