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Showing 1 of 95 conversations about:
nick_t
186
May 11, 2019
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JJayJJWhat is your end game amplifier then ? IS the RME ADI 2 DAC, or Okto Research Stereo DAC any better than the SMSL VMV D1 DAC or the best ? Am not sure because I dont get to hear, I will only become an expertise once I hear it. Which you own, RME ADI 2 DAC, or Okto Research Stereo DAC ?
JJayJJ
472
May 11, 2019
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nick_tOkto Research Stereo hasn’t been shipped to anyone yet. The prototype was tested on AudioScienceReview.com and it plowed through every DAC ever tested up until now. And hat was he 8-channel version.
Once the Stwro version is released with channel folding for even better performance, it’s game over. Every DAC over $1,000 is going to be instantly made obsolete with respect to performance.
The RME bests the DM1 simply due to features, measurements may be the same or slightly worse in some factors, but the features simply blow the D1 to pieces. Actually it blows almost all DACs in its price range to pieces.
(Edited)
Viper_Necklampy
16
May 13, 2019
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JJayJJOkto stereo when will be released? Need more info 'bout that
Deepspace57
52
Jun 6, 2019
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JJayJJThe soundstage of RME ADI 2-DAC is terrible. Treble extension for any planar can does not satisfy at all on the RME. D1 has much better instrumental separation, soundstage and high frequency resolving. As you have the RME, do not splash your wrong opinion here. Briefly,
single Ak4490 (15usd- outdated chip) very good implementation vs Dual es9038pro (130 USD-pair of chip) very good implementation.
nick_t
186
Jun 7, 2019
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Deepspace57So how ? I thought that is already the best dac on the market !
JJayJJ
472
Jun 7, 2019
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Deepspace57ive tried the DM1 and RME. The DM1 has perhaps a hair better SINAD, but both were audibly transparent to me.
My reason for going with the RME is due to all the features and DSP. Also idk why you say it has a single 4490 as if that’s some massive negative, DAC chips don’t actually cost too much, nor have dual DACs demonstrated they always beat single Dac chip designs.
As for treble claims you make, yeah idk what to say to that, seems too outlandish to even know where to start.
(Edited)
Deepspace57
52
Jun 7, 2019
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nick_t
No, RME is not better than D1 in terms of sound presentation. But RME has a good EQ function, thats all.
Deepspace57
52
Jun 7, 2019
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JJayJJWonderful comment! Respect at all! wait for new gen of D1 (multi bit tech) to replace yours. However, 900 usd for such a beatiful DAC is stealer. D1 and 789 ; briefly nice combo.
On the other hand,i am pretty sure that Topping D70 and 789 can easily beat RME.
Deepspace57
52
Jun 8, 2019
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nick_tdepending on your preference! I prefer sound quality; thus D1 is my choice.
Deepspace57
52
Jun 15, 2019
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nick_tIf you do not wanna eq, you should go for D1; but i decided to buy Topping 70
(Edited)
Deepspace57
52
Jun 15, 2019
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nick_tNot so much! Get topping d70 and a good pair of headphones and 789
Motorrad
2898
Jun 17, 2019
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nick_tJJayJJ has not actually heard any of these. He just read something online with charts and numbers that he does not understand and now he's an expert...like everyone else on the internet.
Deepspace57
52
Jun 18, 2019
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JJayJJAfter testing both! D1 is only Dac; on the other hand, RME is Dac and amp. Can you tell me how on earth you can test both ?
JJayJJ
472
Jun 18, 2019
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Deepspace57The RME has line-out just like any other DAC, I hooked it up to a JDS Atom amp. (Using the two output RCA or Balanced I/O on the back of both units).
The Atom is cleaner (technically by the spec sheet with respect to distortion figures published) than both DACs. People make the mistake in demoing a DAC for performance by using it on amplifiers that become the bottleneck.
coolerking
164
Jul 12, 2019
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nick_tDude, no one can answer that unless they have heard it, or their is a reviewer that trust that had heard it,or if they see consensus on an audio board they trust, and I do not mean drop's message board.
Don't get hung up on the chips used. This is not a digital machine using CPU.'s where chip used means something and can performance can be easily measured.
The way the chip is implemented is in incredibly important.
Also everything about quailty assurance and noise insensitivity. I like SMSLproducts but quality wise they suck and you need very clean power. Now, thats just my experience.
Google the product see what the consensus is.
Go to Audioasylum.com and search there. Don't trust my experience and not anyoneon drop. There are not audiophiles here.
Motorrad
2898
Jul 12, 2019
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coolerking"There are not audiophiles here." hahaha. It's the internet! We're ALL experts! Even you.
nick_t
186
Jul 12, 2019
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coolerkingThat is the problem. We cannot get to hear. Most audio equipment need to be bought online without testing it. If you are not from audiophile country, that is the problem. But at least, we want to know everyone opinion since most of them are fortunate enough to try to hear the sound.
nick_t
186
Jul 12, 2019
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Deepspace57How would you know ? What is the best dac to you then ?
JJayJJ
472
Jul 12, 2019
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nick_tDepends on your definition of “better”. If you mean better performance (like distortion numbers, or signal to noise ratio) it seems the Okto is better. For everything else, I’d say the RME. I bought the RME because the Okto Stereo is impossible to get, I don’t know of a single one shipped out yet to customers, it’s just too rare and taking to long to make. That’s why I got the RME (also because the RME is smaller, and it also blows it to pieces with all the DSP options, and software, the RME actually destroys every device with respect to options and software, allowing things like EQ, memory profiles per port, and tons more).
But it if the Okto Stereo was actually in stock, I might have bought it.
There are DACs from Mytek that also perform the same and in some cases better than the Okto (non Stereo). The problem with them is, they also can’t beat RME software, and also cost much more.
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Deepspace57
52
Jul 1, 2020
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nick_tBelow 400 USD —> SABAJ D5
Below 500 USD —> SGD1 (i did not listen it, but assume it is good)
do not buy anything over 500 USD for a DAC. Do not buy AK series chips if you like drums, bass etc.
I listen many pruducts, trust my words. Avoid RME! Avoid expensive DACS such as matrix! I suggest you buy SABAJ D5. Otherwise, you will be warmly kissed by industry and try to convince yourself your expensive toy is a good product.
nick_t
186
Jul 1, 2020
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Deepspace57Why avoid RME ? have you done any analysis of directive A/B test between RME, matrix and SABAJ D5 ???
Also why avoid AKM chips if I like drums and bass ?
nick_t
186
Jul 1, 2020
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JJayJJNo not just performance such as distortion numbers, or signal to noise ratio (measurement S/N ratio). My definition of better is realism and natural sounding and the following as below.
- Linear and extended, lacks any sound coloration
- Unmatched levels of transparency and resolution
- Widest soundstage and deepest sounding as well
- Very precise pin-point imaging
- Excellent pace, rhythm and timing with fast kicking dynamics
- Linear and uncolored headphone amp section with power to spare
- Lacks any noise or distortion
- Linear and extended, lacks any sound coloration
- Unmatched levels of transparency and resolution
- Widest soundstage and deepest sounding as well
- Very precise pin-point imaging
- Excellent pace, rhythm and timing with fast kicking dynamics
- Linear and uncolored headphone amp section with power to spare
- Lacks any noise or distortion
JJayJJ
472
Jul 2, 2020
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Deepspace57Are you high? Do you have any idea how long ago the post of mine you were addressing? It's been a year dude..
Deepspace57
52
Jul 2, 2020
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nick_tI tested sabaj D5 and RME as a standalone dac on P20 and THX 789. Sabaj D5 is much better (punchy and resolving better) . I think both has a bad amp department. You need a proper amp along with them.
Viper_Necklampy
16
Sep 22, 2020
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Deepspace57I read that Sabaj D5 is very warm. Thx and stuff are more analitical.
I am propense to Thx aaa 789 and that kinda stuff. I think i would not like the overall way more musical, warm and punchiness of D5, also would probably have not so great soundstage, pace etc. This is me, but listening is very importants to get the real idea. I hear you for sure!
(Edited)
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