Best native DSD DACs for use with HQPlayer?

[dabassgoesboomboom]

Yeh I dont have access to HQP manual atm to check , which is why I mentioned if theres sound it works, if no sound it no work

So @Stefan_Jorma I assume your 48k music has been playing at DSD128x48k , and thus very high distortion

This DAC strictly needs DSD128x44.1 or DSD256x44.1 for clean performance (cleaner than ADI-2)

ie anything else will be significantly worse measured performance than ADI-2

I suspect that may be happening in listening atm

In addition to very different input grounding

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@steven_goodier

The track is track 3 (Idols) on Ela Minus album Dia. I’m streaming Qobuz through Roon. Clipping is from around 1m 30s onwards.

At -7 it still clips. Although at -8 it’s fine.

Testing right now with AH90. Same track on Qobuz. Not clipping with HQP at -3dB for the full track.

I wonder if you can do the free trial for HQP v5 and test again @steven_goodier ?

Could be a v4 vs v5 difference in clipping sensitivity counter

[steven_goodier]

Thanks for testing. Is it my Mac mini struggling then?

I will get HQP5, I’ve been lazy, mainly because the thought of re-writing the memory cards. But now there is not POE Rpi, and LAN straight into the back of the AH90.

I’m actually thinking of getting a second one, I really like the simplicity, and sound.

Off topic a little, and probably too hot a topic? Ethernet to fibre cable converters and better switch, have you got them in your chain?

[dabassgoesboomboom]

@steven_goodier

I will get HQP5, I’ve been lazy, mainly because the thought of re-writing the memory cards. But now there is not POE Rpi, and LAN straight into the back of the AH90.

You can pay later but it would be a quick and free check, it runs for 30mins free in trial mode

I’m genuinely curious if that makes the difference

@steven_goodier

Off topic a little, and probably too hot a topic? Ethernet to fibre cable converters and better switch, have you got them in your chain?

I played with this years ago. Waste of time. Just make sure you stick to unshielded ethernet cable

Better spend the time on good room correction which can transform sound quality a lot

@steven_goodier

Thanks for testing. Is it my Mac mini struggling then?

When you say you get clipping what the things you see? The limited number ?

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@steven_goodier

Ethernet to fibre cable converters and better switch, have you got them in your chain?

One thing to note on this subject, and for example on SFP modules. It is important to check that the device actually supports 802.3x Flow Control (aka Pause Frames). It is implemented and negotiated at the low PHY level and not all fiber transceivers support it.

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

there is a new LAIV uDAC now

Harmony µDAC | Laiv

[dabassgoesboomboom]

Absolutely gorgeous website and photos (top notch marketing).

But how do they convert DSD to analogue ?

I can’t see any details.

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

AFAIK, it is pure R2R, so any DSD will go through some DSP getting converted to PCM…

[VictorS (Victor)]

I made some enquiries with Vinshine: DSD is converted to PCM.

[dabassgoesboomboom]

Like the Fiio K11 R2R

Might be partially interesting to see how it measures with PCM 16-bit or 18-bit 353kHz I guess

[Johnny_Ooooops (Listener in Chief)]

Very late to the party!

Cyan 2 inbound… (in 6 weeks that is!)

My Yggdrasil OG has been my steadfast companion for a long long time. We shall see!

[MilJL87]

Good choice😄
My Cyan 2 replaced my old RME adi 2 pro and I am very happy with his

[dabassgoesboomboom]

I will only measure this if i can borrow one. Definitely won’t be buying one just to test it

No DSD256 measurement @GoldenSound ?

The Topping Centaurus has a problem...

[Michael_Harris]

I was very disappointed to watch this and see the issues he hit when reviewing it. Exactly as he said It felt like you were going to get a Cyan 2 for a 25% discount. Too good to be 100% true

Well I guess the Cyan 2 is back at the top of my list again now

[dabassgoesboomboom]

No mention of the DSD256 performance

but if Topping can’t get their favourite PCM 44.1kHz test signals working, I don’t have much hope for DSD256

Cyan2 has no headaches and is very safe to recommend - AH90 measures better under 100kHz though

[Michael_Harris]

I tend to agree on the DSD side of things, but there also seem too many strange decisions made in the manufacture of this product for it to come out half baked as it has.

I have a few months before I buy, but I could also see myself getting an AH90 for headphone listening as well (replace Zen Stream and Zen DAC which have served me pretty well up to now) and I need to think about upgrading my M1 Mini to and M4 mini, so it could be an expensive year.

[patouskii]

@dabassgoesboomboom

Cyan2 has no headaches and is very safe to recommend - AH90 measures better under 100kHz though

How about the sound quality? Which one sounds better?

[dabassgoesboomboom]

AH90 to me. Cyan2 sounds too warm to my liking.

And no surprise why - you see why in frequency response measurements , early roll-off

If you have brighter speakers , it might be a good combo but I prefer neutral speakers and headphones, and I like AH90

Also remember AH90 has built in NAA input. And is still 1/3 the price (in my country anyway)

[jussi_laako (Jussi Laako (Signalyst))]

@dabassgoesboomboom

And no surprise why - you see why in frequency response measurements , early roll-off

Except not with HQPlayer…

[Stefan_Jorma (Stefan Andersson_Olofsson)]

@jussi_laako

@steven_goodier

Ethernet to fibre cable converters and better switch, have you got them in your chain?

One thing to note on this subject, and for example on SFP modules. It is important to check that the device actually supports 802.3x Flow Control (aka Pause Frames). It is implemented and negotiated at the low PHY level and not all fiber transceivers support it.

Since I do not know what this means technically, what would be the result if Pause Frames is not implemented?