Best native DSD DACs for use with HQPlayer?

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You can get the Holo spring with the holo preamp built in for analog volume control.

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I could be wrong but looks like they increased price by USD100 since first listed

I have a question that I have not found the answer in any post. Perhaps it is already answered, but I have not found it. I am using a RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Is there any relationship (or should have) between the selected upsample filter in HQPlayer (or Roon itself) and the DA filter selected in the line-out configuration: I mean, for example in Roon’s MUSE I select a smooth minimum phase for DSD256 upsample, should I select Short Delay Slow DA at the ADI-2 DAC?

Maybe @jussi_laako has a proper answer for HQPlayer.

Assuming you have AKM chip model, you should be running ADI-2 in DSD Direct mode at DSD256. Which means you have two DSD filter choices, 50 or 150 kHz (or what ever those were in the newer chip). I recommend keeping the lower setting, but you can try both.

If you would be running at 705.6/768k PCM instead (not recommended), then the PCM digital filter selection in ADI-2 doesn’t apply, since at input any rate >= 352.8k the ADI-2’s digital filter is bypassed.

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Thanks @jussi_laako

That is correct. I have de v2 model (with AKM 4493 chip), run in DSD Direct mode and upsample at DSD256, and I am using 50 kHz DA filter.

I understand your answer.

I was wondering if there was any kind of relationship between the upsample filter used in Roon/HQPlayer and the DA reconstruction filter withing the DAC. After your answer, we assume lower rates, for example 96 kHz or 192 kHz tops.

Same for me, with my RME (with AKM 4493 chip), I run in DSD Direct mode and upsample at DSD256, and I am using 50 kHz DA filter.
No using MUSE in Roon.

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Generally you would want to avoid such. But if you chain filters, you should probably use some sharp linear phase filter at the DAC side.

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But I can’t avoid that. I have to choose a filter in order to upsample at Roon (or HQPlayer), there is “No filter” option and again in the DAC there is “No filter” either. Except when data rate is high as you noted before, but even in this case, I have to choose one filter.

I take note and I will try a sharp LF (I think this is the “Sharp”) at ADI-2. Unless “NOS” filter could be used as “No Filter” even it is closer to Smooth than a Sharp filter.

As I mentioned earlier, when you upsample to DSD256, or to 352.8k PCM or higher, the PCM filter you select in ADI-2 has no effect. So you can choose just something random there, it doesn’t matter since it is not being used for anything. When you upsample to DSD256 and use ADI-2 in DSD Direct mode (recommended for best performace), you have two options for DSD filter, 50 or 150 kHz. For this I recommend 50 kHz setting, but you can try both and choose which one you prefer.

I would never recommend to use the NOS filter unless you want to accidentally generate huge amount of distortion in case you happen to be running the DAC at rate below 352.8k. I have my ADI-2 Pro filter set to “sharp”, but in my case it will never get used.

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SMSL DO300EX (AKM 4499EX) just arrived today.

Will measure tomorrow

I’m more interested in the Holo Cyan2 though at the moment

Already ordered yours @jussi_laako ?

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Yes, waiting it to arrive (I don’t have ETA yet).

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SMSL DO300EX - I am returning it

This is DSD256 with DSDD mode enabled of course - selecting 11MHz option on the DAC

It is not “broken” but…

iFi Zen DAC Sig V2 is better value for the dollar (in my opinion).

SMSL D-6 even better value

No need to waste time setting up with the Picoscope :smile:

The multitone measurement is too embarrassing to share. I shutdown my laptop when I saw it

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No, you must show us the multitone!

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THX for testing the DO300EX. Bummer it was a disapointment.

I am also looking very much forward to your tests with the Cyan 2, this seems to be a very very interesting candidate. :slight_smile:

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Thanks for the interest !

I can’t even remember if I screenshot the multitone but overall results are too boring to power on the measurement laptop to check. I shut it down and packed it away.

It’s a fare bit of time to setup for a measurement. Hats off to Jussi who has been doing that and sharing for years.

The actual measurement is fast but the setting up (when things are packed away) takes forever :smile:

Will get back to listening to music - until I can get a Cyan2 in my hands

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I’ve just put in an order for the DSDSE DAC bundle from The Well Audio. It’s a semi-DIY solution. Also managed to snag a PCM2DSD converter from one of the good folks over at DIYAUDIO. I’ve heard good things about both. Will report back here once it’s all up and running.

One word answer to OP question:

Exasound

They contain ESS dac chips, so not native or bit-perfect. They may sound good but do not meet the criteria.

I pulled my D-6 out of storage only to find it not working as it should. It was updated and worked very well then I put it away… so it was working when it went into storage.

Output to fixed DSD512x44.1k to Upboard running NAA 4.5 (haven’t update to 4.6 yet)

Sound is distant, distorted/fuzzy and tinny sounding.

Tried all the normal cable switching and stuff. The NAA outputs ok if I swap the D-6 with a D300. I don’t think it is cable related.

Any ideas before I put it away again. :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

Edit: Should add used default poly-sinc-guass-long and hires-lp for filters with ASDM7ECv2.
Using HQPlayer Desktop 5.3.1 on ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS 6.2.0-1018-low latency