• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Mid-Fi DAC choices?

Tim64 said:
I just bought the FIO D3 D03K Taishan so I can have audio going to my tv and stereo. I'm going to see which sounds better the FIO or the analog output on the Toshiba which is already a 192khz machine and sound pretty good. The FIO is supposed to have a Wolfsen Dac though another one same model said it had a Cirrus DAC. Should be here Thursday I will give my impression of it's sound.
Click to expand...

I'm using one of those from my TV into my receiver as well. I can't say if it's radically better than the DAC in the Sony Bravia TV, but the output is higher and I like it.

Mine has the Wolfson and a buddy's has the CL. His is newer so I'm guessing they switched during production.
 
Raynald said:
How do you find the headphone output? I am tempted to try one to see if it sounds better with my PSB M4U1 than the headphone out of my RX-V1 which is probably a padded down speaker out.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I can provide a satisfying answer, my headphone is a Superlux and I rarely use it for listening to music… I saw some people having balance problems with the headphone output, mine is fine.
 
Thanks for the input. Looking into it a bit more I have seen many complaints about channel tracking at low volumes.
 
Did a bit of investigating and the newer version with gold rca connectors has the Cirrus Chip set.
 
Raynald said:
Thanks for the input. Looking into it a bit more I have seen many complaints about channel tracking at low volumes.
Click to expand...

I did some listening with my Superlux HD-668B connected directly to the SMSL M3, and I'm really satisfied with this little box. The build quality is very nice. The sound is very clean and linear, no coloration. But as I said, I'm no expert here and lack comparison.

And the channel balance is as you would expect. I didn't measure with an oscilloscope, but to my ears it is perfect.
 
As I promised my impressions of the FIO D3 D03K Taishan DAC. It sounds pretty darn good for the price and it has a couple hours on it, I don't know if it requires any break in time. It's pretty neutral in it's sound and the Bass is more polite than my deceased Onkyo C-7030 cd player. It may open up with more time on it but it does sound darn good. I bought this as a DAC for my DVD player since I don't want to spend the money on another budget cd player and with used DVD players a dime a dozen I think this will satisfy my needs for now. In comparison of the sound of the D3 vs the Onkyo the Onkyo edges it out but not by much. I tried the optical and the coax and could discern no audible difference. I am sticking with the coax since it is a more secure connection than the optical cable. If your on a budget this is great for your tv to stereo DAC. As a music Dac it does a good job, just don't expect it to sound like a Shcitt Modi Uber or similar because you will be disappointed. The Schitt will be a future replacement when funds allow and I'm sure it will kick a DVD player up a few notches in the sound department.
 
Just bought a SMSL SU-8 dac to play my Onkyo c7030 through. I do not like it. The Onkyo cd player's default chip is much much better on its own. I guess next i'll try the Schiit Modi multibit. I own the Schiit Mani phono pre, and it smokes at least 4 or 5 preamps that i owned or had owned. Not wanting to be negative, i was just really surprised. Do not trust reviews. Like they say, trust your ears!!
 
E.Auer, over on the audiosciencereview forum (which is an amazing resource) they consider the best $100 DAC's to be:
Khadas Tone Board, Schiit Modi 3, and Topping D30.
The Khadas is USB-only, so for you that leaves the Modi3 and D30.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom