Selling ALL My Chinese HiFi DACs

Selling ALL my ChiFi DACs like SMSL, Topping, Gustard, Loxjie... Here is why.

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Research Papers. (Creds to The Headphone Show):
D. Shorter, “The Influence of High Order Products on Nonlinear Distortion”, Electron. Eng. vol 22, pp.152-153, 1950

#hifi #audiophile #DACs

[Jayiyagi]

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[takeiteasy]

What makes a huge difference in sound are speakers and room acoustics

[caseyodonnell]

I hear what you're saying about all of these being very similar. They really can be. With regard to the filters, I could definitely be wrong, but I believe that those are baked into the DAC chip by the manufacturer. So, depending on if it's a Sabre, Cirrus Logic, Asahi Kasei etc, you're just switching through filters that are on the chip. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will let me know soon enough.

I also completely agree, they chase specs because people buy of the specs instead of what something actually sounds like. If it sounds amazing who cares about the specs?

Also, what a great time to be an audiophile. It's amazing how good this stuff sounds for the money these days.

[Leo-ynfx]

The vmv d2 i have comes to mind. Not only is it an exceptional dac, but the output is as good as the topping pre90. Now paired this with a topping pa5 and i'm blown away how good everything is sounding. Go big or go home

[steveabplanalp]

I absolutely love the performance of my L.K.S Audio LKS MH-DA004. I’ve had it for couple of years and it works really well with my audio system.

[quikspecvd]

I believe Gisheli labs J2 used an older chip and upgraded/improved in other ways. I wonder if people skipped it because it didn’t have the latest chip. I think it sounds great for the money.

[robertwang]

I had a Matrix Mini I Pro 3 which is very functional since it has Airplay2 etc but I recently upgraded to a Denafrips Pontus 2 which is clearly a big step up. Musicality, timing, tonality, dark background, analogue sound etc. Suits my system very well. I’m sure the Holo May or Terminator 2 is even better. Unless they come up with much better chips ( which will happen in the future ), it’s not for me atm.

[ilyatsipordey]

It's a strange feeling - everything that you called disadvantages, I consider advantages 😉 No muddy marketing - only objective measurements and function descriptions. They all sound equally good, just choose the inputs/outputs and functions that you need.

[jaysaudiolab]

Been saying it for a long time... DACs are getting very tapped out and the performance is very close sonically speaking. I review insane DACs and even at these prices, there are many similarities.

[kapiti]

Great video. I'd love to see the DAC manufacturers incorporate an eARC connection. Bluesound is in part killing it because they offer the simple functionality.

[freelancer]

A lot of the Chinese fans come with a similar remote as the DACs too. It is just a generic remote used for many appliances...

[ShareHobby]

Not all Chinese DACs sound the same. I’ve tried Topping, SMSL, and Loxjie. I finally settled on the Loxjie D50 with AKM 4499 chip. The Loxjie D50 Sounded the best to me compared to most ESS 9038 Pro chip equipped DACs, which seemed to be all clones made in 2021. Yes, It was a bad year for all DAC manufacturers when having to promptly change their DAC’s heart, the chip, after AKM fire. Chinese DACs allowed many budget minded audiophiles the opportunity to experience great sound without having to spend a ton of money. Yes money may not be an issue for some, but for the majority of music enthusiast I feel Chinese DACs was one of the best things that could’ve happened for the hi-fi community.

[Poindexter]

Just came across your VERY cogent and accurate comments. After many years of feeling the very same thing, after many decades of owning and collecting mostly 2-channel gear, from hand-wiring tube equipment myself, through to class T and D, I felt what you so nicely put into words, so thanks. And I never, ever wanna sell anything, either!

Always hoping for breakout innovation by manufacturers. I’ve always hated clones. I happen to be dying for shit to create a 50 white clase, integrated, aimed, primarily at Muirfield motors.

[larrywe]

I've found the Topping D90se (In DAC mode) as extra Clean, Clear & Crisp... Which makes it System Dependent. But when well matched its exceptional. Keeping it for sure

[Alexander-zsrj]

my took was the rme adi-2 fs, cause the eq and other setup possibilities and the build quality. it’s a kind of professional construction and build up quality

[Dennis-vhtz]

These DAC's all implement the features built into the same handful of AKM and ESS DAC chips without adding anything extra. When it comes to DAC features and performance they're all sufficiently far beyond the point diminishing returns that there is little if any discernable difference between them. But the headline had me hoping for a deal on the Holo Audio May....

[rosswarren]

An amazing journey. But wow...Some had commented that the Chinese made DACs of late were getting better, not as thin sounding, but then this Gustard might be the step up. Interesting.

[Temmple]

Just as I am entertaining the idea of a new DAC this video comes out. JAY, I just pieced together a system based on your suggestion (Lore Ref - SoundArtist Integrated and BlueSound Node. Do you think this setup would benefit from a DAC instead of using the internal in the Node and if so what might be a good fit in this system?

[PanAmStyle]

Excellent point about the preamp sections. What good is “perfect” decoding if the preamp screws it up?

[humanitech]

It is really strange that dac companies haven't looked at what has been happening within the guitar digital modelling amplifier market.... As many guitar amps are programmable to offer a whole range of different famous tube and non tube guitar amps samples ....which are now getting surprisingly close to the real thing . ...Now just image a programmable dac with say 10 preset amp sound ranging from full tube sounds Macintosh, quad, decware etc, etc and then some Class A/B. sounds like. First watt, passlabs Audio research and krell etc and then maybe some hybrids and Class D....all in one DAC / preamp.

Now that would truly be something amazing ....for all those unable to afford the real deal would be happy with having something say 85% - 90% similar in sound signature.

Equally ....if digital recordings are often specially adjusted, remastered and compressed for vinyl then why can't this also be added and included into a dac as a presents ....labelled - vinyl master or something?!

I'm sure it may happen one day but it would revolutionise what is currently a very expensive hobby.