Portable DAC recommendation?

[CR250]

I see that you live in the US. If you call The Cable Company, they'll send you some DAC's to demo before you make a commitment. They will also give you some good advice as to what will work best.

[miguelito]

I see that you live in the US. If you call The Cable Company, they'll send you some DAC's to demo before you make a commitment. They will also give you some good advice as to what will work best.

Great advice! Thank you.

[jcbenten]

Apologies to Miggy for the OT post.

 

I've got a ZX1 that I picked up used in Akihabara and I am considering getting an ZX2 when I'm there again in May but it would nice to hear what you think about the differences in sound quality between the two models.

 

TIA,

 

Tom

 

I listened to a few songs (Bowie, Dire Straits, Led Zeppeling, Metallica...sorry I do not really do Classical/Jazz/Others). Files are FLAC, HiRez Flac and Metallica is DSD. I used Westone UM3X IEMs stock and all dsp turned off on the DAPs. Some quick, very subjective, and subtle impressions:

 

ZX2 has better instrument separation and is easier to pickup details

ZX1 bass is slightly bloated and more prominent

ZX2 has darker background

ZX2 has slightly less sibilance in cymbals and Mark Knopfler's vocals

 

Physically the ZX2 is taller, wider, and heavier. The ZX1 is easier to carry at the gym. The big differences though are 1) the ability of the ZX2 to use SD cards...up to 128 GB; the ZX2 does not read the Sandisk 200 GB disk...at least the one I bought (my Android phone does read it though), and 2) it can take a 4-pole(?) TRRS connector. I have silver cables and a TRRS connector on my Westone W40s that makes everything a bit better.

 

If I do more comparisons I will update with a separate thread.

 

chris

[miguelito]

the ZX2 does not read the Sandisk 200 GB disk...at least the one I bought (my Android phone does read it though

I am using a Sandisk 200gb microsd card on my ZX2 without any issues.

[kumakuma]

I listened to a few songs (Bowie, Dire Straits, Led Zeppeling, Metallica...sorry I do not really do Classical/Jazz/Others). Files are FLAC, HiRez Flac and Metallica is DSD. I used Westone UM3X IEMs stock and all dsp turned off on the DAPs. Some quick, very subjective, and subtle impressions:

 

ZX2 has better instrument separation and is easier to pickup details

ZX1 bass is slightly bloated and more prominent

ZX2 has darker background

ZX2 has slightly less sibilance in cymbals and Mark Knopfler's vocals

 

Physically the ZX2 is taller, wider, and heavier. The ZX1 is easier to carry at the gym. The big differences though are 1) the ability of the ZX2 to use SD cards...up to 128 GB; the ZX2 does not read the Sandisk 200 GB disk...at least the one I bought (my Android phone does read it though), and 2) it can take a 4-pole(?) TRRS connector. I have silver cables and a TRRS connector on my Westone W40s that makes everything a bit better.

 

If I do more comparisons I will update with a separate thread.

 

chris

 

Thanks, Chris. I appreciate it.

[jcbenten]

I am using a Sandisk 200gb microsd card on my ZX2 without any issues.

 

Oooops...I do have a 200GB installed in the NWZX2! I think the first one i tried did not work. I later tried it on my laptop and damn near melted the computer. I think it has a short in the card and not the SD adapter. The second 200GB must have worked and I forgot about it and assumed I had 128 installed.

 

Thanks for calling me to task.

 

Chris

[jcbenten]

Miguelito,

Did you ever pick up a DAC?

 

I did get a Sony WMC-NWH10 and the ZX2 still does NOT transfer DSD to the PHA3 and I would be hard pressed to tell any difference to the stock cable that came with the PHA3 (Sony ZX2 connection to USB micro w/prong).

 

I am hopeful a ZX3 will come out to allow DSD transfer...but not holding my breath.

 

Chris

[miguelito]

Miguelito,

Did you ever pick up a DAC?

 

I did get a Sony WMC-NWH10 and the ZX2 still does NOT transfer DSD to the PHA3 and I would be hard pressed to tell any difference to the stock cable that came with the PHA3 (Sony ZX2 connection to USB micro w/prong).

 

I am hopeful a ZX3 will come out to allow DSD transfer...but not holding my breath.

 

Chris

Did not... Have been really busy at work.