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Showing 1 of 5 conversations about:
LifeisinaBlink
7
Jul 26, 2024
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I feel like an outlier on this DAC, but it ranks up there as one of my most disappointing purchases. I subscribe to the "different DACs sound different" camp, and wanted a portable R2R DAC. I've tried it through my PC, through my LG V40 (with UAPP of course), and my iPhone XR. It is cool that Drop is throwing in an Apple cable because most of the cables I tried with my iPhone just would not power it properly. Soundwise: nothing special to my ears. It's not grainy or soft in any area, but this is one of the few DACs, to my ears, that does not sound much better than the standard 3.5mm out on my cheap laptop (even the Apple dongle is better). There are slight differences in the NOS/OS option (NOS always sounds a bit clearer/more transparent to me than the OS option), but it's definitely not worth it's asking price, and although I paid close to Drop's price here, I still would not recommend it for that price.
I am also the opposite of Disastermouse's comment as I much prefer my HipDAC (V2). The HipDac provides insane amounts of power (it drives my XS and Ananda with room to spare), and I love the extra XBASS feature that lets me pump up the bass without adding distortion. I could not detect the "analogue" sound from the RU6 that comes with other R2R DACS (I have a Denafrips Ares--I admittedly bought the RU6 because I read a review saying that it sounds like the Ares but it is portable--spoiler alert--it does not sound like the Ares). I likely expected too much from a portable DAC, but I have about a dozen dongles and the RU6 is my least favorite, no matter what headphones or IEMs I use with it. I will say this is one of the cheapest and most portable ways to try out R2R (main reason for my purchase), but I do not think this unit does R2R DACs proud. Over-promised and under-delivered on this one.
Wolfcape
91
Jul 30, 2024
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LifeisinaBlinkThat's an interesting take, thanks for your opinion. Certainly makes me think twice over the Pre-Order button.
JV72
1
Sep 2, 2024
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LifeisinaBlinkThis is a solid review. I will have to look into other portable DACs. Despite the price point, I don't like that it won't ship until November 29th.
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