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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
 
If you can take in what the recording people are saying and work it out, there's no hope, over and out. 
rossb
185 posts
 
The "recording people" are not saying what you think they are saying. 

I think you have read that Mojo Audio web page without fully understanding it. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Uh, yes most recordings are n PCM, what type of modulator do you think they use when they are making these recordings?  For example what do you think a TI PCM Audio ADC uses? They use delta sigma modulators. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Just have a listen to any PCM redbook 16/44 24/96 or DXD through a "good" R2R dac and be amazed, then play the same through any Delta Sigma dac and hear what you get, it’s a yawn.
rossb
185 posts
 
George, you keep saying the same thing, and getting the same response. I'm sure most of us have done this. I used to own a "good" R2R dac. I was not amazed. I prefer my current delta sigma dac. 

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