Old DAC Review Archive 2015 – 2020

ARCHIVES

Please note that the information below may no longer be up to date. I am keeping them for reference only.

Reference Class – Cost no object

Candidate 1:

The Mytek Booklyn DAC (Amazon DE Link) (Amazon UK Link) (advertisement links) is the most recent masterpiece of Mytek Digital. Although it only comes with the slightly lower speced ESS9018K2M DAC chip, it is 100% my new reference next to the Gustard X-20. Not sure why it sounds so fantastic – probably because of the excellent design and the low-noise Crystek Femto oscillator on the PCB close to the DAC chip. You can supposedly even tweak the sound quality by adding an external 12V power supply such as the SBooster which I haven’t tested yet. If you want to experience the hyped MQA format, the Brooklyn has you covered as well. It’s a tweakers dream machine and has gorgeous build-quality. It definitely represents a lot of value for under 2000 Euros. I’d say if you don’t need a headphone amp or phono stage, buy the Gustard. However, if you need the complete package and a world-class headphone amp, look no further than the Mytek Brooklyn.

• Chipset: Dual ESS Sabre32 9018K2M
• MQA Decoder
• Headphone Amplifier Built-In
• Remote Controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Built-in phono stage
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x coaxial, 1x BNC, 1x optical, 1x AES/EBU
• USB XMOS chipset – no drivers required under Mac OS, Linux (Windows Creators Update – haven’t tested)

Candidate 2:

I’m just recovering from my shockingly good experience with the Gustard X20u. This kills all of the products I’ve listened to so far. Gustard has just released the X20Pro – apparently a successor to the X20u, haven’t heard this one yet but looks just as great.

• Chipset: Dual ESS Sabre32 9018
• Remote Controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x coaxial, 1x BNC, 1x optical, 1x I2S
• USB XMOS discrete daughter board supporting virtally any operating system

Top Class – Top of the line DACs, clearly above average

RME ADI 2 PRO with headphone amplifier- about 2000 Euros on Amazon(Amazon DE Link)(Amazon UK Link)
(advertisement links)

Fully balanced professional unit featuring the beloved AKM DAC chips with premium components, full DSD support and headphone amplifier. While slightly less feature-rich than the Mytek Brooklyn, I’d rate the sound quality about on par with the Mytek Brooklyn but I need some exhaustive comparisons before I can elevate the ADI Pro 2 to my personal reference class. But my initial listening show it to perform better than the SMSL M8. This may be a better buy for European audiophiles as the RME tends to be a bit less expensive than the Mytek Brooklyn.

• Chipset: Dual AKM4490 with DSD256 support
• Balanced Headphone amplifier
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)

SMSL M8 DAC – about 239 Euros from Amazon.com(Amazon DE Link)
(Amazon UK Link)(advertisement links)
World-class DAC on a shoestring budget. Top Class rating is only with a separate 9V DC power supply.Read my review here.

Auralic Aries Mini – about 499 Euros from authorized distributors
Full featured music server with a FREE fantastic sounding DAC inside :) It comes with the ESS SABRE 19018K2M chip which is still quite capable. Deserves another Editor’s Choice award and just barely qualifies for Top Class but only with the Auralic PSU which costs extra money. You could also look for an SBooster supply(advertisement link)

• Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018K2M
• Remote controllable trough Lightning DS app (iOS only)
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Ethernet
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)

Chord Mojo – about 500 Euros from Amazon
(Amazon DE Link)
(Amazon UK Link)
(advertisement links)
Holy moly! This DAC gives you the Mojo in terms of “more joy” :) I tried the little Chord Mojo at a local headphone meet and it totally blew my mind. It plays almost as good as my Reference Gustard X20u and the Gustard smokes many 5000 Euro units! The Mojo is just a teeny-tiny hair below reference class. Not only is it superbly built (although it looks cheap on photographs) but it drove a Sennheiser HD800S with ease. The Mojo is tiny – about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don’t smoke but that’s the best size comparison I could come up with, sorry). I had some time for serious comparisons and make no mistake, the Mojo plays very nicely with the big boys in the 1000+ Euro range. It’s fantastic for home use, too. And with the addition of a Roon endpoint dongle, the Mojo even looks more attractive. I’d call it the audiophile Bonsai tree. It’s an all-in-one solution. Just connect it to a STAX electrostatic headphone system for total bliss. Stay tuned for my full review! Chord has announced the amazing Poly add-on music server for the Mojo at the CES 2017.

• Chipset: Proprietary design
• DAC, Preamp and Headphone Amplifier
• Plugs into your iPhone or Android, comes with headphone amplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Coaxial, 1x Optical
• Outputs: 2x Headphone jack (works with adapter to connect to your Stereo)
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
• Made in the UK>

Value Class – Performance and value for money. The “sweet spot” for most people

Raspberry PI DACs – from 25 Euros
Told you already I’m an audio-anarchist :) When properly configured and fed from a decent power supply, a Raspberry PI holds its own very well in the Value Class. Unfortunately, you get no digital inputs to choose from but if you just want a streaming solution that sounds great, I’d start here before spending more money.

Schiit Modi 2 Uber – about 170 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Unbelievable value for money from the audio anarchists around Mike Moffat and Jason Stoddard. Made with love in the USA and with the latest chipsets!

• Chipset: AKM4490
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x optical, 1x, coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• DC Wallwart supply

Small and Portable Class – Entry-level / portable DACs

Audioquest Dragonfly DACs
Small USB stick sized DAC with brilliant performance, 2 master clocks for low jitter and TAS1020 controller with custom firmware. NOTE: Audioquest is now offering three models Black, Red and Cobalt with updated specs and the latest ESS Technology chipsets. Please check out my link above to learn more.

• Chipset: ESS Sabre 9023
• Inputs: USB (asynchronous) only 24bit / 96kHz sample rate support
• Outputs: 1x stereo jack L/R (requires RCA adaptor)
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Self-powered by USB bus

JDS Labs ODAC – about 150 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Famous open source design by NWAVGUY. Great measured performance and sonics.

• Chipset: ESS Sabre 9023
• Inputs: USB (asynchronous) only 24bit / 192kHz sample rate support
• Outputs: 1x stereo jack L/R (requires RCA adaptor)
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Self-powered by USB bus

HifiMeDIY Sabre DACs – about 50> directly from the manufacturer(advertisement link)
Hong-Kong based manufacturer. Mostly based on ESS Technology chipsets, great value for money.

FiiO D3 (D03K) – less than 30 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Chinese speciality manufacturer. For the price just unbelievable. CS8416 SP/DIF receiver.

• Chipset: Unknown DAC chip, CS8416 SP/DIF receiver
• Inputs: 1x optical, 1x coaxial (selectable)
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• 5V DC wallwart PSU

DIY DAC offerings – For electronic enthusiasts

Check out my favorite eBay sellers “minishow0328” and “Weiliang” and look for “Full-Assembled-WM8740-DIR9001-DAC-Board-Decoder-Board” by the seller “along1986090”. I specifically recommend Weiliang’s ESS901 DAC boards. Both sellers are a pleasure to deal with.

Also check out my WM8740 ebay DAC review. This small DAC rightfully belongs to the Value Class.

Discontinued but still great value buys

Emotiva Audio XDA-2 – less than 300 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Can’t believe this is less than 300 bucks! Professional DAC, very well built with excellent components including OPA2134 dual operational amplifiers replacing the veneral NE5532 found in competing products. No cheap wallwart but a real built-in power supply.

• Chipset: Analog Devices AD1955, AD1896 Sample Rate Converter
• Headphone amplifier
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 2x optical, 2x coaxial, 1x AES/EBU
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• Internal PSU – no external wallwart

Musical Fidelity V90 DAC – less than 300 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Decent cheap no-frills DAC for those who don’t need a plethora of features or gimmicks. Update 2018: Unfortunately, the V90 appears to be no longer on sale. Anyway, I think many Chinese units or my recommendations above are currently better value

• Chipset: Texas Instruments PCM1795
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 1x coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• 12 V DC wallwart PSU

Retired from the list

These were previously Category A or B components but they aren’t great deals anymore if you buy them new at full prices. I’d look for pre-owned units.

Benchmark DAC 2 HGC with headphone amplifier- about 2000 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)
Benchmark DAC 2 L without headphone amplifier- about 1800 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)Fully balanced, sophisticated hybrid analog/digital volume control. Headphone amp featuring 0 Ohm output impedance (excellent match for Sennheiser HD650).Premium quality electronic components. NOTE: There’s a new version out with the latest ESS DAC chips – waiting to get my hands on one unit.

• Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018 (Quad DA)
• Headphone amplifier
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 2x optical, 2x coaxial, 2x analog
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)

Weiss DAC 202 – about 8000 Euros from US distributor

Fully balanced, ultra-low noise voltage regulators and torodial transformer.
4-layer PCB boards minimizing noise and distortions, EMI shielding,
careful component layout for extreme performance.

• Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018
• Headphone amplifier
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB, 1x Firewire/Thunderbolt, 1x AES/EBU, 1x optical, 1x coaxial, 1x wordclock
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)

Audiolab M-DAC – 600 GBP on Amazon UK(advertisement link)

Unbelievable value for money. Egineered by John Westlake. High quality components, excellent PCB layout. Balanced design with discrete J-Fet output stage. Beautiful 2.7″ OLED display and packed with geeky features. Almost Category A quality!

https://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160432
https://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=161214

• Chipset: ESS Sabre32 9018
• Headphone amplifier
• Remote controllable
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous 96kHz max.), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
• Powered by AC wallwart

Arcam irDAC – about 700 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)

Excellent engineering and design, premium electronic parts. Connects directly to your iPhone. Clean power supply. 112db Signal to Noise ration.

• Chipset: Texas Instruments BB PCM1796
• Remote controllable
• Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux (no drivers)
• Powered by 12V DC wallwart

Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus – about 500 Euros on Amazon(advertisement link)

Excellent budget DAC with tons of features and a nice headphone amplifier. Optional bluetooth streaming module available.

• Chipset: Dual Wolfson (Cirrus) WM8740
• Headphone amplifier
• Works as a preamplifier
• Inputs: 1x USB (asynchronous), 2x optical, 2x coaxial
• Outputs: 1x RCA L/R, 1x XLR L/R
• USB driver support: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
• 12V DC wallwart PSU