Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC Discussions | Drop

Massdrop x Grace Design Standard DAC

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Sep 2, 2017

Hi All, I just wanted to comment on the choice of the micro B USB connector for the SDAC. While I will be the first to admit the that micro B connector is probably the most annoying to plug and unplug because of its size, that is really where the disadvantages end. The micro B connector was designed specifically as an upgrade to the mini B and has better performance in almost every way to the mini B. First off it is designed for 10,000 plug/unplug operations. (mini B is 5000) It's contact resistance is specified to be <30 mOhms (mini B is <50 mOhms) It is designed such that the cable plug wears faster than the jack. It is easy to replace a worn out cable but not a circuit board mounted jack. It is ubiquitous. Ans so are micro B USB cables. There is a really good reason why most cell phones in the world use this connector. (Of course it is very unlikely that anyone will ever unplug and plug the cable in the SDAC as often as they do a with cell phone.) As for USB C, that is beyond the scope of this product, which is a USB audio class 1 complaint device, and would have significantly increased the cost. Cheers, Michael

ktyme

Sep 5, 2017

Michael_GraceJust curious... Can you make a similar argument against using the USB Standard B (non-micro/mini) connector? Standard B connectors have same contact resistance as micro (30 mOhm). The only disadvantage I can see is the Standard B connectors (mainly used for USB Printers) are not as ubiquitous as the Micro B.

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SpecialEd

100

Sep 6, 2017

Michael_GraceWhat limits the frequency response? I guess we all recognize that range as traditional human hearing, but many products marketed toward audiophiles ignore those limitations, and that also frequently applies to source material. Curious about this choice....

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Mstrauss58

Sep 6, 2017

Michael_GracePlease explain how I can connect this to my jds O2 headphone amp if I'm already using the 3.5mm outlet for an iPhone, which I'm using as my audio source. Thx Mr. Grace

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Sep 6, 2017

SpecialEdHi SpecialEd, The high frequency response of any digital converter is limited to one half of the sample rate. This is commonly called the Nyquist frequency. While different digital filtering techniques can yield slightly different high and low frequency roll-off shapes in general you will never see a high frequency limit at more than 1/2 the sample rate. The SDAC is specified to be -.02dB at 20kHz a 44.1kHz sample rate. The analog circuitry on the output of a DAC must have high frequency roll off to remove the high frequency modulator noise coming out of the DAC. This is often called the anti imaging filter. This filter affects the high frequency response of DAC but only at higher sample rates. In the SDAC this results in a high frequency roll-off of about .2dB at 48kHz when operating a a sample rate of 96kHz. So to sum up, the frequency response of any DAC is largely determined by the sample rate of the incoming data. Weather a DAC is .01dB or .1dB down at some specified frequency is more related to filter shape.

Sep 6, 2017

Mstrauss58Hi Mstrauss58, The 3.5mm jack on the SDAC is an output, not an input. The SADC is a USB input only device, there is no analog input. The analog outputs are for sending to a headphone amplifier or preamp/loudspeaker system. If you want to use the 3.5mm jack on your iPhone as a sound source then you don't need a DAC as you will be using the DAC inside the phone. Hope this helps! Michael

Sep 6, 2017

ktymeHi ktyme, The standard B is a fine connector too. However, it is much less prevalent than the micro B. Michael

OrangePegasus

Sep 6, 2017

Michael_GraceCan both outputs be used at the same time?

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Sep 6, 2017

OrangePegasusYes, both outputs are active simultaneously.

Cokeman

1971

Sep 6, 2017

Michael_GraceHey Micheal, is the shipping date on this drop accurate? Or was that more of an estimate? At the current rate it seems like you will sell somewhere around 1000-1500 of these. Will it really take that long to produce and ship all these out? Or was that date more of a worst case scenario if you sold thousands of them?

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CEE_TEE

3480

Sep 6, 2017

CokemanHi Cokeman, While Grace Design handled the design and engineering, our supply chain is handling the production and the shipping estimates. There are multiple factors involved in the estimation process for every product. We try to be as accurate as possible and then hope to beat the estimate. :)

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Mstrauss58

Sep 8, 2017

Michael_GraceYes it does help and I really appreciate your reply, but i gotta believe you'd agree the SDAC is superior to the dac in my iPhone 7 - now whether I can actually detect the diff audibly, i suppose that's a mystery; being it's not hi-res files, I'm guessing I really wouldn't. Probably catch a nice placebo effect tho. Ha

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PedroTaboaco

May 20, 2019

Michael_GraceHi Michael. I want to use only one cable to connect my iPad Pro to the Massdrop x Grace Design SDAC, is it possible? Or I really need an adaptor (USB female to micro USB, I think) to use with the original lightning cable provided by Apple? Can you give me the technical specs to buy the correct cable / adapter in order to provide the better / safer connection between my iPad and SDAC? Any brand / model recommended? Thank you!

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CEE_TEE

3480

May 24, 2019

PedroTaboaco

The way I do it is to use an external battery for power + USB cable that connects to both battery & Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter + USB-A to USB-micro shorty cable. Note: I use a small piece of duct tape over the power pin in the USB plug that connects with Apple CCK. This way the SDAC does not try to draw too much power from iPhone/iPad and only gets power from external battery.

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PedroTaboaco

May 27, 2019

CEE_TEEThank you! :D

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