Popular Post Miska Posted August 29, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2023 Gustard A26 can be now added to the list. They have updated firmware for the DAC and how the DSD Direct mode works as expected, including switching the DSD filter. If you already have A26, they can provide firmware update on request. All new production ships with the updated firmware already from the factory. I have confirmed that DSD128 and DSD256 seem to go through at their native rate. SwissBear, Zauurx, Nikhil and 2 others 5 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
GregHouse Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 Can a DAC that is not PCM true NOS become PCM true NOS only with a firmware update, or is it a hardware issue? Link to comment
bogi Posted September 1, 2023 Share Posted September 1, 2023 3 hours ago, GregHouse said: Can a DAC that is not PCM true NOS become PCM true NOS only with a firmware update, or is it a hardware issue? Real NOS is impossible for example with delta sigma architecture DAC chips. Such a DAC chip will always oversamle up to delta sigma modulator operating frequency, which appears somewhere in MHz range. Firmware update couldn't change the fact that internal oversampling and delta sigma modulator cannot be skipped with PCM input. GregHouse 1 i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
GregHouse Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 But on a multibit DAC (R2R or "chip") is it possible, only with changing the firmware? Link to comment
semente Posted September 11, 2023 Author Share Posted September 11, 2023 I've added the Loxie D50 and the Gustard DAC-A26. Update: NOS PCM Capable DACs • Aqua • Armature Asterion • Audio GD • Cayin RU-6 • EC Designs Powerdacs R, S, B • Hifiman EF400 • Holo Audio (except Cyan DSD) • Metrum Acoustics • Phasure NOS1 • Rockna Native DSD Capable DACs • Armature Asterion (discrete) • Audio-GD NOS DACs (discrete) • Audiobyte Vox (discrete) • Bricasti M21 and M3 (discrete) • Cayin RU-7 (discrete) • Esoteric (BB/TI, AKM, discrete) - some models • FiiO K7 (AKM) • Gustard DAC-A22, DAC-A26 (AKM) • Holo Audio Spring, May, Cyan DSD (discrete) • iFi iDSD lineup (BB/TI) • Loxjie D50 (AKM) • Marantz HD-DAC1 (CS), SA-12SE, SACD 30n, SA-10(discrete) • Musical Fidelity M3x DAC (BB/TI) • RME ADI-2 DAC, ADI-2 Pro ADC/DAC (AKM) • Sabaj A10d (AKM) • Singxer SDA-x (AKM) • SMSL D-6 M400, D300, D400 EX (AKM) • T+A DAC 8 DSD, SD 3100 HV, SDV 3100 HV, HA 200, DAC 200 (discrete) • Teac UD-501 (BB/TI); UD-503 & UD-505 (AKM); UD-701 (discrete) • Topping E30, D70, D90 (AKM) "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
bmkmanoj Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Has anyone tried Audial S5 ? It is supposed to be a NOS Multibit DAC based on TDA1541A DAC chip. Although it’s only capable of playing PCM and not DSD I think. Link to comment
Dandou Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 TOPPING D70 PRO OCTO (8x CS43198) has a NOS mode. alecm 1 Link to comment
Apollo Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 1 hour ago, bmkmanoj said: Has anyone tried Audial S5 ? It is supposed to be a NOS Multibit DAC based on TDA1541A DAC chip. Although it’s only capable of playing PCM and not DSD I think. Why are you asking in this topiyc then, if you indicate this dac does not support DSD? Link to comment
Superdad Posted November 30, 2023 Share Posted November 30, 2023 2 hours ago, Apollo said: Why are you asking in this topiyc then, if you indicate this dac does not support DSD? DSD capability was never listed as a requirement for DACs in this thread. See very first post. But @semente did list capability for 24bit and sampling rates above 176.4/192kHz as criteria for inclusion on his list. The Audial S5 specifications list it as supporting sample rate up to 384KHz via its USB input. bogi 1 UpTone Audio LLC Link to comment
Miska Posted December 1, 2023 Share Posted December 1, 2023 12 hours ago, bmkmanoj said: Has anyone tried Audial S5 ? It is supposed to be a NOS Multibit DAC based on TDA1541A DAC chip. Although it’s only capable of playing PCM and not DSD I think. TDA1541A is old Philips 16-bit R2R ladder chip, so yes it is pure PCM and no DSD. It is designed to be run at 4x rates, IOW, 176.4/192k. Originally it was accompanied with Philips' SAA7220 digital filter chip. For example in the Marantz CD-60 player I had in early 90's. If you play any 24-bit content on it, make sure to use only 16-bit output and use at least TPDF dither. Possibly noise-shaped if you use upsampling. semente 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
Currawong Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 On 12/1/2023 at 4:22 AM, Dandou said: TOPPING D70 PRO OCTO (8x CS43198) has a NOS mode. I have one of these in for review. I'll have to see about DSD playback through it. I'm not sure it'll be possible to improve on the resolution much though. Link to comment
Dandou Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Currawong said: I'm not sure it'll be possible to improve on the resolution much though. Mine was entirely upgraded. Its PSU was removed, and it is powered by an external LPS. Many of its internal components were replaced. Link to comment
Mops911 Posted December 8, 2023 Share Posted December 8, 2023 I am surprised that Mytek does not show up in this discussion....their DACs are considered by many to punch above their price segment.... Link to comment
Popular Post Miska Posted December 9, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 9, 2023 18 hours ago, Mops911 said: I am surprised that Mytek does not show up in this discussion....their DACs are considered by many to punch above their price segment.... Mytek is ESS based, so it is never bit-perfect. semente, Currawong and Mops911 2 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
Miska Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 On 9/11/2023 at 8:07 PM, semente said: • Cayin RU-7 (discrete) But seems to be never bit-perfect... So I don't think it should be listed here. semente 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
bogi Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 Audalytic AH90 (Gustard brand) direct DSD works the same as for A26 (firmware update is available) It is a cheaper variant of A26 (so it also includes LAN input and computer part) with added headamp. According to iiWi Reviews it has brighter sound signature more similar to some Sabre implementations, lacking body and weight in comparison to for example SMSL D400 EX with the same AKM chipset. i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
Miska Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 46 minutes ago, bogi said: According to iiWi Reviews it has brighter sound signature more similar to some Sabre implementations, lacking body and weight in comparison to for example SMSL D400 EX with the same AKM chipset. But it most likely wasn't tested in DSD Direct mode... Which most likely doesn't work on SMSL D400 EX (since it doesn't work on two other SMSL models using same chipset). Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
bogi Posted December 27, 2023 Share Posted December 27, 2023 15 minutes ago, Miska said: But it most likely wasn't tested in DSD Direct mode... Which most likely doesn't work on SMSL D400 EX (since it doesn't work on two other SMSL models using same chipset). Right, D400EX is mentioned in iiWi Reviews only in context of sound signature comparison with Audalytic AH90 and it was based on PCM content as usual. I had no intention to mention D400 EX in relation to direct DSD - that's most probably not available. i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
Apollo Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 On 9/11/2023 at 7:07 PM, semente said: I've added the Loxie D50 and the Gustard DAC-A26. Update: NOS PCM Capable DACs • Aqua • Armature Asterion • Audio GD • Cayin RU-6 • EC Designs Powerdacs R, S, B • Hifiman EF400 • Holo Audio (except Cyan DSD) • Metrum Acoustics • Phasure NOS1 • Rockna Native DSD Capable DACs • Armature Asterion (discrete) • Audio-GD NOS DACs (discrete) • Audiobyte Vox (discrete) • Bricasti M21 and M3 (discrete) • Cayin RU-7 (discrete) • Esoteric (BB/TI, AKM, discrete) - some models • FiiO K7 (AKM) • Gustard DAC-A22, DAC-A26 (AKM) • Holo Audio Spring, May, Cyan DSD (discrete) • iFi iDSD lineup (BB/TI) • Loxjie D50 (AKM) • Marantz HD-DAC1 (CS), SA-12SE, SACD 30n, SA-10(discrete) • Musical Fidelity M3x DAC (BB/TI) • RME ADI-2 DAC, ADI-2 Pro ADC/DAC (AKM) • Sabaj A10d (AKM) • Singxer SDA-x (AKM) • SMSL D-6 M400, D300, D400 EX (AKM) • T+A DAC 8 DSD, SD 3100 HV, SDV 3100 HV, HA 200, DAC 200 (discrete) • Teac UD-501 (BB/TI); UD-503 & UD-505 (AKM); UD-701 (discrete) • Topping E30, D70, D90 (AKM) Would the SMSL D12 also bypass different filtering? I do not see any specific technical difference with the D6, whilst it is still cheaper. (the only reason I am eventually interested, is that the HDMI module in my dac is most probably broken) Link to comment
Miska Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 47 minutes ago, Apollo said: Would the SMSL D12 also bypass different filtering? With for example Topping/SMSL devices this needs to be verified by measurements. It only takes one small bug in the firmware for the feature not work. And this is not about just bypassing digital filtering, but also modulator. IOW, whether the DAC is bit-perfect. So maybe the topic should say "Which DACs are bit-perfect". Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
semente Posted December 29, 2023 Author Share Posted December 29, 2023 55 minutes ago, Miska said: So maybe the topic should say "Which DACs are bit-perfect". Hi Chris @The Computer Audiophile, would it be possible to change the topic name to "Which DACs are bit-perfect? (bypass digital filtering)" as suggested by Jussi? bogi 1 "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
semente Posted December 29, 2023 Author Share Posted December 29, 2023 List of high-res bit-perfect DACs updated: NOS PCM Capable DACs • Aqua • Armature Asterion • Audio GD • Cayin RU-6 • EC Designs Powerdacs R, S, B • Hifiman EF400 • Holo Audio (except Cyan DSD) • Metrum Acoustics • Phasure NOS1 • Rockna Native DSD Capable DACs • Armature Asterion (discrete) • Audio-GD NOS DACs (discrete) • Audiobyte Vox (discrete) • Bricasti M21 and M3 (discrete) • Esoteric (BB/TI, AKM, discrete) - some models • FiiO K7 (AKM) • Gustard DAC-A22, DAC-A26 (AKM) • Holo Audio Spring, May, Cyan DSD (discrete) • iFi iDSD lineup (BB/TI) • Loxjie D50 (AKM) • Marantz HD-DAC1 (CS), SA-12SE, SACD 30n, SA-10(discrete) • Musical Fidelity M3x DAC (BB/TI) • RME ADI-2 DAC, ADI-2 Pro ADC/DAC (AKM) • Sabaj A10d (AKM) • Singxer SDA-x (AKM) • SMSL D-6 M400, D300, D400 EX (AKM) • T+A DAC 8 DSD, SD 3100 HV, SDV 3100 HV, HA 200, DAC 200 (discrete) • Teac UD-501 (BB/TI); UD-503 & UD-505 (AKM); UD-701 (discrete) • Topping E30, D70, D90 (AKM) "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
Popular Post bogi Posted December 30, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted December 30, 2023 As I already mentioned above, Audalytic AH90 (Gustard brand) after firmware upgrade. It is a cheaper version of A26 with headamp built in. It's AK4191EQ & AK4499EX like Gustard A26, direct DSD at DSD128 and DSD256. semente and Miska 1 1 i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping HS02 ► 2x iFi iSilencer ► SMSL D300 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ► HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
semente Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 Updated list: NOS PCM Capable DACs • Aqua • Armature Asterion • Audio GD • Cayin RU-6 • EC Designs Powerdacs R, S, B • Hifiman EF400 • Holo Audio (except Cyan DSD) • Metrum Acoustics • Phasure NOS1 • Rockna Native DSD Capable DACs • Armature Asterion (discrete) • Audalytic AH90 (AKM) • Audio-GD NOS DACs (discrete) • Audiobyte Vox (discrete) • Bricasti M21 and M3 (discrete) • Esoteric (BB/TI, AKM, discrete) - some models • FiiO K7 (AKM) • Gustard DAC-A22, DAC-A26 (AKM) • Holo Audio Spring, May, Cyan DSD (discrete) • iFi iDSD lineup (BB/TI) • Loxjie D50 (AKM) • Marantz HD-DAC1 (CS), SA-12SE, SACD 30n, SA-10(discrete) • Musical Fidelity M3x DAC (BB/TI) • RME ADI-2 DAC, ADI-2 Pro ADC/DAC (AKM) • Sabaj A10d (AKM) • Singxer SDA-x (AKM) • SMSL D-6 M400, D300, D400 EX (AKM) • T+A DAC 8 DSD, SD 3100 HV, SDV 3100 HV, HA 200, DAC 200 (discrete) • Teac UD-501 (BB/TI); UD-503 & UD-505 (AKM); UD-701 (discrete) • Topping E30, D70, D90 (AKM) StreamFidelity 1 "Science draws the wave, poetry fills it with water" Teixeira de Pascoaes HQPlayer Desktop / Mac mini → Intona 7054 → RME ADI-2 DAC FS (DSD256) Link to comment
Shawn Flee Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Got info from a Japanese vendor for MSB. The Digital Director is able to disable all filters on the DAC, essentially running in some sort of NOS mode. Link to comment
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