2. digital
  3. 154586-137654

Comparison of latest DAC chips

I own a Bluesound Node 2i which greatly improved sound after I added the Cat 6 cable.  I do not own a separate DAC but am told it would be the next step improvement.  I have done enough reading that it appears the two latest chips are the Sabre or ESS ES9038PRO and the AK4499.  The brands I have looked at are Sabaj d5($469) and a Topping D90($699).  I saw a great review on Audiocircle of the Sabaj D5 which is now a year old.  The Topping D90 is newer and I hear the build quality of the Topping as well as customer service are both better.   Other brands cost more and most don't use these new chips. 

Is there a difference in how these chips sound?  I would appreciate any comments. 
128x128daledeee1
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

This can also be added to that list of R2R Mutibit dacs the Audio Mirror Tubadour III
It's getting raved about and uses the Analog Devices R2R Multibit AD1865N-K flagship DAC chip And is can do DSD if you feel the need to.
 
It's said to be "the best and most analog and musical sounding DAC "chips" ever made."I have heard this chip in other units it's very good like the PCM1704 in a Linn CD12 I have, but the new breed of discrete R2R sound even better, from makers like MSB I have, TotalDac ect ect ect. They bring life back to music, instead of being a bit of a yawn like the DS chips do.

Cheers George   
djones51
4,947 posts
 
TotalDac measures so lousy you might as well say it's broke. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
TotalDac measures so lousy you might as well say it’s broke.

Really!! You should hear how broke it is, in my friends system here, he’s the editor of SoundStage. It sounds magnificent.


https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/reviews/84-wilson-audio-specialties-alexia-series-2-lo...
Cheers George
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I am sure it sounds fine at least as good as a Sony Hap S-1 but maybe note quite a Node2i. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Yeah, ok🤦‍♂️
More to discover