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DamianToczek
1
Jul 8, 2018
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Is the NuForce uDAC a improvement compared to Focusrite Scarlett Solo 2 Gen?
Measty
332
Jul 26, 2018
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DamianToczekI wouldn't even compare the two. The Scarlett is for mixing and monitoring, combining two sources or interfacing a source with your computer and listening to it. The uDac is meant purely for output.
If you were going to input through the scarlett and listen out the uDac, I would say don't. The monitor output on the Scarlett is likely going to give the best results (sound quality / latency). If you're just looking for something to listen to music, than the uDac would likely be the better option. Although, I've never sat down and compared the two back to back.
If you were going to input through the scarlett and listen out the uDac, I would say don't. The monitor output on the Scarlett is likely going to give the best results (sound quality / latency). If you're just looking for something to listen to music, than the uDac would likely be the better option. Although, I've never sat down and compared the two back to back.
Brosefstalin42
260
Jul 27, 2018
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DamianToczekYeah, I have the same Solo, and it is fairly bright and tinny sounding compared to an actual DAC/Amp. If you don't need the portability or you don't use mostly IEMs, I'd get one with a little more power behind it, 80mw into 16ohms means just a little less than 40mw into 32ohms, but if you need portability or use IEMs, this should work. I've auditioned the Magni 3 amp, the Topping a30 amp, the xduoo x05 portable dac/amp, the xduoo t10 desktop dac/amp, smsl SAP Pro II, the Topping d30 dac, and the jotunheim amp, along with trying out the new smsl su-8 dac, and currently loving that it sounds similar to the Topping d30 but is balanced and putting a bit more power into my jotunheim (2vrms rca analog vs 4vrms with balanced cables).
I do recommend both the AudioEngine D3 usb DAC/amp for a similar price range, or if you want to splurge and want to use a portable usb DAC/amp with your phone, the dragonfly red, though I like the D3 more for both price and volume, but the dragonfly red takes less power so phones can utilize it better, the D3 needs a full powered direct USB port.
I do recommend both the AudioEngine D3 usb DAC/amp for a similar price range, or if you want to splurge and want to use a portable usb DAC/amp with your phone, the dragonfly red, though I like the D3 more for both price and volume, but the dragonfly red takes less power so phones can utilize it better, the D3 needs a full powered direct USB port.
Smshr
29
Sep 26, 2018
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Brosefstalin42I would definitely appreciate your input on Topping A30,is it any good? i was planning to buy one from Shenzen Audio to avoid MD wait time and maybe in future go for the D30 as well as i have heard good reviews on the same.
Any suggesitons?
Brosefstalin42
260
Sep 26, 2018
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SmshrIt's a good amp to start with. It isn't the best for efficient headphones or sensitive IEMs due to the higher impedance out, but I didn't notice anything too strange with the Fostex Purplehearts or Ebony, and those are more sensitive than the typical 32-80 ohm headphones.
You aren't going to crank 300-600 ohm headphones to ear bleeding levels with it, but it will power them just fine.
The only things at this price point with a little more power will be a Magni 3 or the Xduoo Ta-10, and even then it's only 500mW more at max, so any of those are good starters.
The D30 is one of my favorite DACs, and the SMSL SU-8 that is dropping again is the least expensive DAC I've seen with balanced ins and outs if you plan on going that route in the future. I have both and they are great. Don't worry about any DACs more exppensive than those until you start getting amps that are getting closer to the $1k mark, as the benefits to a more expensive DAC aren't as great as headphones first and amp second, DAC third.
You aren't going to crank 300-600 ohm headphones to ear bleeding levels with it, but it will power them just fine.
The only things at this price point with a little more power will be a Magni 3 or the Xduoo Ta-10, and even then it's only 500mW more at max, so any of those are good starters.
The D30 is one of my favorite DACs, and the SMSL SU-8 that is dropping again is the least expensive DAC I've seen with balanced ins and outs if you plan on going that route in the future. I have both and they are great. Don't worry about any DACs more exppensive than those until you start getting amps that are getting closer to the $1k mark, as the benefits to a more expensive DAC aren't as great as headphones first and amp second, DAC third.
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