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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 10:09:43 GMT
Has anyone auditioned some of the AK4499 DACs as a DAC + Preamp? I'm thinking SMSL M400 vs Topping D90 vs Gustard A22. One report I saw said the Gustard won over the Topping due to it's better preamp section.
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Post by John on Jun 3, 2020 11:42:35 GMT
I think they all be fine Gustard has a good reputation. The D90 has some good feedback on YouTube
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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 12:24:53 GMT
The SMSL, Topping and Gustard step up around £200 each so roughly £600, £800, £1,000. I’m after a DAC/Pre for my AV 2.1 system which feeds MarkAudioSota Viotti Tower speakers. I’ll later go for a new power amp, possibly a Nord Purifi IET400A or an Ncore. If the Gustard has a significantly better preamp then it’s the one I should aim at.
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Post by John on Jun 3, 2020 12:34:21 GMT
I did not really notice any preamp issues on the D70 but I not been able to compare to other DACs if you can go Balanced.
I only heard one Ncore amplifier and did not like the mids
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New DACs
Jun 3, 2020 13:09:46 GMT
via mobile
Post by julesd68 on Jun 3, 2020 13:09:46 GMT
As John knows I didn't get on with the pre side of my D70 - it sounds significantly better going to my passive.
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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 13:14:03 GMT
I did not really notice any preamp issues on the D70 but I not been able to compare to other DACs if you can go Balanced. I only heard one Ncore amplifier and did not like the mids The only comment I found was that the Gustard fully discrete output stage (preamp) was a step up from the D90 but that's just one person/review. Ncores vary quite a lot. I use them in my main system - the Lindemann Power 500 is Ncore based. Much depends on the input buffer used - when OEM modules are shipped they don't include an input buffer so the vendor (Lindemann in this case) designs and integrates their own buffer The buffer is what provides the sonic signature. I've compared the Power 500 my Temple supercap monos. I find them really very similar - I decided to buy the Power 500 because it matched the Source...nothing deeper than that! |
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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 13:15:33 GMT
As John knows I didn't get on with the pre side of my D70 - it sounds significantly better going to my passive. Useful to know, thanks Julian. |
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Post by John on Jun 3, 2020 13:29:46 GMT
Yes like everything in HiFi system dependent
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Post by MartinT on Jun 3, 2020 13:49:10 GMT
The only comment I found was that the Gustard fully discrete output stage (preamp) was a step up from the D90 but that's just one person/review. Similarly, my LKS DAC has a fully discrete balanced and single-ended output stage and the digital volume control in the ES9038 Sabre chips is excellent (0.5dB increments using 32-bit word space). However, I still found it needed the Burson buffer to drive my power amp to within an inch of its life. Check first as it seems many DACs do not have sufficient welly to fully drive many power amps. |
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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 14:11:43 GMT
The only comment I found was that the Gustard fully discrete output stage (preamp) was a step up from the D90 but that's just one person/review. Similarly, my LKS DAC has a fully discrete balanced and single-ended output stage and the digital volume control in the ES9038 Sabre chips is excellent (0.5dB increments using 32-bit word space). However, I still found it needed the Burson buffer to drive my power amp to within an inch of its life. Check first as it seems many DACs do not have sufficient welly to fully drive many power amps. Yes that's a good point about welly. The inference was that it does have welly. For sure the Gustard voltage is good, 3V on RCA and 6V on XLR. The SMSL is worrying with a 1,000 ohm output impedance! They deleted the output buffer to achieve lower distortion... |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 3, 2020 14:39:43 GMT
To be clear: the LKS will drive my power amp, but the overall balance is somewhat lightweight and lacking in visceral punch. Output impedance may well be the issue.
The Burson appears to have zero insertion loss that I can detect, and it does its job very well. Shame they're not made any more.
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Post by Clive on Jun 3, 2020 15:10:15 GMT
In case I need a buffer I have a Burson somewhere. It's a fairly early one in a re-purposed box (by Burson), I've no idea how it relates to yours though I always found it pretty transparent. I used to use it on the end of a passive pre. I get what you're saying Martin about drive, not voltage.
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Post by John on Jun 7, 2020 10:51:03 GMT
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Post by Clive on Jun 7, 2020 12:00:57 GMT
The RME is interesting John. The PEQs would be useful. The DACs are not the latest but the same as I have in my Source, soundstage is good with the implementation in the Source but this uses 4 DAC chips in differential mode. It stacks up well vs my Qutest.
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New DACs
Jun 7, 2020 13:01:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by John on Jun 7, 2020 13:01:03 GMT
I am not looking to upgrade myself as right now very happy with the sound but agree looks a interesting DAC I like the queintest with the Supercharger I think that helps
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Post by John on Jun 11, 2020 5:38:55 GMT
Impossible to tell apart on YouTube
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Post by user211 on Jun 11, 2020 20:14:59 GMT
The RME is interesting John. The PEQs would be useful. The DACs are not the latest but the same as I have in my Source, soundstage is good with the implementation in the Source but this uses 4 DAC chips in differential mode. It stacks up well vs my Qutest. PEQ is only five band. PEQ is free to any Windows user interfacing to a USB DAC via Equaliser APO and the Peace GUI. Google it I have used it for years but not recently TBH. With that software you can have a serious amount of bands. But be aware PEQ is NOT transparent. So the more you use the worse or more detrimental to SQ it gets. It is bloody useful for correcting speakers resonance issues and correcting for poor frequency response but you do need a test mic to use it well. If you have to use a lot of it your system has a problem that should be resolved by other means. |
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Post by Clive on Jun 11, 2020 21:22:08 GMT
The RME is interesting John. The PEQs would be useful. The DACs are not the latest but the same as I have in my Source, soundstage is good with the implementation in the Source but this uses 4 DAC chips in differential mode. It stacks up well vs my Qutest. PEQ is only five band. PEQ is free to any Windows user interfacing to a USB DAC via Equaliser APO and the Peace GUI. Google it I have used it for years but not recently TBH. With that software you can have a serious amount of bands. But be aware PEQ is NOT transparent. So the more you use the worse or more detrimental to SQ it gets. It is bloody useful for correcting speakers resonance issues and correcting for poor frequency response but you do need a test mic to use it well. If you have to use a lot of it your system has a problem that should be resolved by other means. Square room with a ceiling height half the room length... |
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Post by MartinT on Jun 11, 2020 21:31:39 GMT
Eek, a bad room is just bad and little will rescue it. I know.
I think the advice "if you have to use a lot of it your system has a problem" should include the room.
Just moving my system from a bad room to a good room transformed it. Some passive room treatment and no need for room correction.
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Post by Clive on Jun 11, 2020 22:07:16 GMT
That’s the room for one of my three systems, the upside is that it’s a dedicated room. Actually the PEQs in the Behringers do a good job...naturally I use a calibrated mic. The baffleless bass system works far better than anything with a baffle. The room above with an 11ft ceiling works better but it wouldn’t be dedicated.
Modes at 33Hz, 74Hz and harmonics.... as you’d expect. With careful setup it’s better than you might think.
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