USB DAC shoot-out

[heady 0]

Shoot-out of the USB DACs

 

The contenders:

ZeroDAC

- CS8416 receiver circuit and Analog Devices AD1852 DAC chip.

- Over-sampling DAC.

- Only digital inputs, RCA and optical.

- Gets USB input by using add-on and connect via optical digital line.

- Mains powered.

- Built in headphone amplifier.

- Can be used as pre-amplifier.

- For this test, the ZeroDac's DAC opamp was switched to LT1364

 

 

USB Monica

- USB receiver chip info not available

- TDA1545A Non-OS DAC chip

- Needs a power supply

- Needs separate headphone amp

 

 

HPDAC

- PCM2707 USB receiver and TDA1543 Non-OS DAC chip

- Built in headphone amp using LM6172 opamps.

- Fully USB powered.

- Was available only as pcb, now out of production.

 

 

Govibe Petite

- No technical info available except it is Non-OS DAC

- Has built-in headphone amp which can be used with line-in

- Amp is battery powered, 4 AAA which are USB charged.

- DAC is USB powered.

 

 

AlienDAC

- PCM2702 USB Receiver cum Non-OS DAC chip.

- DAC only, no amp.

- USB powered.

- Needs a separate headphone amp.

 

 

Listening tests with album by Laura Fygi:

ZeroDAC (with USB Digital PCLink) and Mini3 (AD8397 opamps)

- space between instruments, ie sound stage is wide

- deeper silence between tracks, ie higher dynamic range

- sparkle of hi-hats, triangles, cymbals is very obvious

- midrange is a little bit cold

- bass is deep and controlled

- drums are impactful

 

 

USB Monica and Mini3 (AD8397 opamps)

- slightly less sparkle and clarity compared to ZeroDac

- separation initially sounds like less than ZeroDAC but is due to the effect of less sparkle

- midrange is warmer, feels like Laura Fyigi is singing, sitting on my lap.

- bass is also warmer, less dry but with a tiny bit of bloom which makes it a tiny bit less impactful than the ZeroDac

- very natural sounding.

 

 

HPDAC (LM6172 opamps in PINT config)

- very similar to USB Monica with warm sound (typical Non-OS sound signature)

- but with a very slightly less sparkle and clarity than Monica

- bass is noticeably less impactful than Monica, a little too weak in comparison

- shows the lack of power due to the amp being USB powered

 

 

Go-Vibe Petite - DAC + Amp

- low output compared to the above, need to increase volume in computer

- has NON-OS sound signature but is not as warm as Monica

- sounds clean, with sufficient separation between instruments.

- bass is sufficient but not as extended as the above

- not exciting to listen to after listening to HPDAC, Monica and ZeroDAC

 

 

AlienDAC with Mini3 (AD8397 opamp)

- low output, require higher volume setting in computer

- has the NON-OS signature but not as warm sounding as the Monica

- lack the clarity of Monica or ZeroDac

- bass is there but doesn't stand out

- not exciting to listen to after listening to HPDAC, Monica and ZeroDAC

 

Conclusion:

The ZeroDac is very good for the money. If you like the OS sound, which is the tizzy top end. This gives the ZeroDAC a very good initial impression, making it sound like its got a wide sound stage and good separation between instruments.

 

However, if paired with a amp which also has a bright top-end, and with bright headphones like Grado, it's gonna give you a headache after a while.

 

My money is on the Monica although it is twice as expensive as the ZeroDAC. It has a smoother mellower sound. A lady if you like, compared to the "rocker" ZeroDAC. Maybe it is just synergy of my phones (DT150) and the amp (Mini3) both of which tends to slightly more treble.

 

The HPDAC is good with my Audiotechnica M50, somehow it just rocks with it. It runs out of oomph with the DT150 though. I guess the DT150 needs an amp with muscles and the USB power just don't give the amp enough juice. But I like the HPDAC because it needs no power. Simple to carry around and use. Just need to use it with normal impedance headphones.

 

Both the Go-vibe Petit and AlienDAC just get bowled over by the other DACs. I guess they are a different class of creatures. But they are cheap and if you aren't exposed to the other DACs , they will still impress.

 

Picture:

ZeroDAC on the bottom, USB Monica on top of the ZeroDAC. The HPDAC is the one with the blue knob while beside it is the AlienDAC. That small thing right at the top is the Go-Vibe Petite.

 

Edited October 3, 2008 by heady

[loop_ 0]

many thanks for the review Heady! haven't been active here for awhile....query: what's with the number of usb dacs you own?!?!

 

 

[mouz 0]

I guess you're gonna add AMB's Y1 onto your list once PCBs are out too right ?

 

[heady 0]

loop_, what to do? Itchy fingers syndrome. Have sold the Zero, it is too big for my desk. Will be selling the Go-Vibe when time permits, since I don't use it anymore.

 

mouz - you are right. Got into the y1 prototype team, now trying to find time to finalise parts purchase while waiting for boards to arrive.

 

 

[viscy 0]

Try switch ZERO's DAC Opamp to a HDAM unit from Audio-gd (earth/sun/moon) or dual OP627s, i'm pretty sure it'd sound better

[heady 0]

Thanks viscy. I tried my friend's zero with the Earth HDAM and it did sound quite good. Unfortunately I sold my Zero to regain the deskspace. Also I find the Over-Sampling sound a little too fatiguing after hours of listening. That's just a personal preference. If I used a Senn, maybe it would be ok.

[dreaming 0]

Musiland DIYEDEN SVDAC05

 

anybody tried it. find it a valued for money DAC.