The word "best" was intentionally put as if I assumed it is almost at the end of the tunnel for portable DAC. Forgive me if I offended you guys.

After all, I'm still waiting for my first DAC ever. And its a DIY USB DAC. Who am I to say what is the best. LOL.

Please recommend more products with reviews backing it up. And among its price range also. I will put it in the first post for reference.

For me, by the price, DAC Port seems likely to be the end of tunnel for me. LOL. My wife would cut my throat.

Based on his test, you can already decide on which to buy.

I'm new about this too and would appreciate if taiko can explain the difference.

As far as I know, almost all DAP/PMP (IDevice, Sansa etc) have Wolfson's DAC chips in it.
Been told that anything with Wolfson in it, it is surely good.

Regarding these 2 chips, I saw a DAC that consists of both TI and WM chips. And that adds more to my confusions. LOL.

Anybody can explain? Thanks!

Google doesnt help also. Found some DAC chips comparisons page but its too advance for newcomers to understand.

yeah man.. already decided which to go.. hahaha.. but still, no matter how good our rigs are, without a good format is still limited the quality.. i'm waiting his 320Kbps MP3 VS FLAC audio format review..

definitively flac will win...

Cube C30 itself is already awesome player. FLAC with normal EQ is good enough for me.

For MP3, can use BBE to make the music come alive with C30.

This post has been edited by nordingh: Aug 1 2011, 07:03 PM

woflson dont appear in serious dacs at the level of pcm1704, sabre chip, akm, etc.
Iphone4 are using cirrus logic, but has better sound quality than my ipod mini using wolfson.

get this if u dont want lavry. very good, more expensive tho, but less hassle.
http://www.stereoaudio.com.au/index.php/au...sb-music-player

the CLAS is using a wolfson chip though. http://www.cypherlabs.com/Products.php

i do not think its fair to say this DAC is using this chip so it's good or bad because alot depends on the implementation of the chip as well as other components within the circuit design of the DAC too.

hahaha.. yalor, ppl keep saying wolfson chip is so good but i would really wana know how is it different than the pcm chip.. >.<

i see, so the sound quality is all depend on implementation of the components, not solely on the chip itself..
even if they are using a superior chip, the SQ might be bad if the implementation is bad?
meaning we will have to try it only then we can know the SQ of the DACs..

---

Added on August 2, 2011, 10:56 ambut still, im kinda wondering about the range for both pcm and wm chips..
like which chip in PCM is on the same level with which chip in WM..

hmm.. im kinda interested to try the good cable as well..

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 2 2011, 10:56 AM

But i do know these Chips are good.


i am currently searching high n low for good USB cable for my DAC.
any place got sell???

no point starting at the bottom, this is the second half of 2011 already, I like the Lindemann USB-DAC 24/192, colour is nice, shape is also nice, with many bits and lots of frequencies to boot .... what is the point of listening owning so many when all you can listen is only one at a time ....

This post has been edited by BCurve: Aug 2 2011, 12:46 PM

yep, that's my personal opinion. DACs & Amps, i believe that you have to try them out to know (its very hard to audition them, i know) if they provide you with the correct synergy with your headphones and if you like the SQ of the DACs and Amps. no matter how technically good their specs might be, there's no point if you do not enjoy the music at the end.

Techmy: what's your budget? I might have something ...

audiohub's Epic USB cable. supposed to be arriving next week.

the usb cable, if you guys are interested, i'll post more details when i get mine.

actually i'm also not sure why a USB cable would affect the 1s and 0s transmitting through.

but all i can say is according to my ears, there is a difference. beyond that, the next best thing i can say is try and see if it makes any difference to you.

As far as I know...And what i know is very limited...
Wolfson WM8740 DA Chip is legendary...
why is it so...i have no idea...

hong...
u have good usb cable?

where to get these good cables?
i m using the stock usb cable only...

please do hong!
we'll all be grateful!

I think what he meant starting at the bottom was to start small, just to get familiar with DAC and stuff, especially for beginners. It might be a waste of time(or money) for some people, but this is a clear habit for any enthusiasts everywhere.

Furutech GT2 is good choice

This post has been edited by Windcent: Aug 2 2011, 07:19 PM

Just out of curiosity, does digital signals make any difference by using different cable ? Or maybe shielded & not shielded does ? Cheers

because 0s and 1s only exist in computer algorithm, not electronics.

right bro! , the "legendary" headphones both of us talking bout is joke.

that DACport is really something.

Guys, just posted my first (evar) review on the first page. Its a budget DAC sold by one of our members. Feel free to comment. I think its a good DAC to start with especially for beginners.

Feel free to recommend other DACs aswell. I will try to look for its reviews and put it on the first post. But would prefer it reviewed by one of us. Or maybe a local dedicated thread like DACPort. It would be awesome! Thanks!

Haha. The T-Muso is RM120.
Can we have like another branded budget range other than Go-Vibe USB DAC? 250-500 maybe?
Then we move up abit to something like 500-1000 range. Above that already DACPort range. Then move up to Lavry for the ultimate.

Just an idea. And I think we have limitation space for each post. So I cant put everything to the 1st post. Should've reserve the 2nd post. LOL.

Yup Ibasso d2+ boa is on my list aswell.

Lets break it to:-
Popular DAC within:-
RM200-500 = ?, ?
RM500-1000 = Ibasso D2+ BoA, ?
RM1000-1500 = DACPort, ?
Above RM2000 = Lavry, ?

What do you guys think?

Ah thanks! But not so many lah. 2-3 in 1 price range. Another thing, I will need to search for its reviews aswell. Alot of work for me. Any help would be appreciated.

Maybe 1 for portable and another 1 for desktop.

Nope, dont mind. Can PM me the links.

But before that, instead of just list up the one we thought is good or popular, maybe we need to do a poll first maybe. Unless ClieOS said so. HAHA.

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Added on August 4, 2011, 9:29 amGotta sleep first. Just came back from graveyard shifts.

maybe something a listing like this? the list is not comprehensive, this is just off the top of my head and i'm not that sure of the prices too.

xxx xxx

<RM200
T-Muso

RM201-RM500
iBasso d2

RM501 - RM1000
Uber Muzik Tiny Tube DAC/Amp (TTD)

RM1001 - RM2001
iBasso D12 DAC/Amp
Pico DAC
Pico DAC/Amp
RSA Predator DAC/Amp
DACport
Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo (DAC for i-devices only)

>RM2000
Fostex HP-P1 (DAC for i-devices only/Amp)

xxx

only portables? or to include the desktop DACs too?

i agree that the portable and desktop DACs should be separated. makes for easier reading and searching too.

anyone tried the Nuforce uDac2 ?
around RM500, worth to buy?

DAC
- FiiO D3 < RM200
- FiiO D5 (dedicated gamers' dac) TBA

DAC / AMP
- FiiO E7 < RM300
- FiiO E10 TBA

AMP (Portable)
- FiiO E1 < RM100
- FiiO E5 < RM100
- FiiO E6 < RM150
- FiiO E11 < RM250

AMP (Desktop)
- FiiO E9 < RM500
- FiiO E9i (Docking for iPhone/iPod) < RM500

LOD
- FiiO L3 (iOS/8cm) < RM100
- FiiO L30 (iOS/30cm) < RM150
- FiiO L50 (iOS/50cm) < RM200
- FiiO L5 (Sony/8cm) < RM100
- FiiO L6 (Sansa/8cm) <RM100

This post has been edited by E1 - AKG: Aug 4 2011, 10:26 PM

guys, how do you all differentiate a good amp or not?

because usually when I plug on an amp, it certainly feels to me that the music is simply louder...

except for the bass, as the beats are heavier.

as for mids and trebles... hmm don't really feel it.