The best DAC for under $10k is only $2k

Audio Gear Talk HQ Player
61

You have lost me there. Surely we hear only the lower audible frequencies contained within the impulse of the attack. A perfect impulse response contains all frequencies. Changes to shape that exceed our audible frequency range surely won’t make a distinguishable different sound to us - only changes that affect audible frequencies will.

62

As it is necessary to know sometimes to pass to the action… order on the way for the A26 whereas with a new USB cable, an optimized ZenStream and a Pegasus in great shape, I am with the angels.
So test over 15 days and then validate … or go back to the current system. But in the meantime, I’m going to look into all possibilities of using HQPlayer with the internal streamer.
The Pegasus with the ZenStream is limited to DSD256 ECv2, but that sounds good.
On the other hand with the A26, I could also try the DSD512 but in EC fs-512 (my server cannot provide 512 ECv2)… 6bits FGPA (never understood how the Pegasus really decoded the DSD) against AK4499EX…

Your bets ??
(@jussi_laako)

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63

I don’t know much about Pegasus, but it looks somewhat similar to Denafrips Ares II, but not the same. Are the two related some way?

I would expect the A26 fare pretty well! (I would also like to have one)

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64

I have already investigated the hardware of the streamer a bit. I’ll see what the Debian and NAA version is… the kernel is a bit old (4.9) and I’m afraid the NAA version is too.
Memory is very limited but sufficient for one-time use (my ZenStream doesn’t use more than 60MB).

But AK4499EX in direct DSD seems to be the best…

65

Hello Jussi, I bought HQPlayer Desktop 5.x few days ago.
I am playing HQP without issue with this configuration:
Upsampling DSD 512 (44,1x512) filter 1x poly-sinc-gauss-xla, filter Nx poly-sinc-gauss-hi-res-lp and modulator ASDM7EC-super 512+fs. I run it with I5 12400 under Ubuntu 22.04.3 through SOtM200ultra neo and DAC SMSL DO300 that I use in unbalanced towards Jadis I50.
It seems all ok.
Do you know if DO300 is DSD bit perfect (ESS 9039MS Pro)?
Please could you give me any suggestion to have the best configuration for DO300?
Thanks in advance for your support and time
Regards
Gerardo

66

Since it has ESS chip, the answer is an easy no

DSD will always go through ESS modulator . You will never have HQP modulator alone, with ESS chip

Some ESS DACs i measured perform best with highest rate DSD. Some with DXD (PCM353k)… if you can’t measure then just pick what sounds best to your ears

Holo Audio Cyan2 is pretty amazing performance for its price

And true bit perfect DSD to analogue conveter

67

Thanks so much for your reply .
Unfortunately I can’t do measure.

I’m thinking for Cyan2 but before I would like to try SMSL D-6 at 170 € by Amazon. If I don’t like I can return it while buying Cyan2 I have to hold it if I don’t like.

Mumble, mumble…
Thanks again for your precious help
Enjoy the music
Gerardo

68

SMSL D-6 is excellent - I can easily recommend it.

Run it in the DSD Direct mode (prD in the user manual)

You might want to also keep an eye on the Best Native DSD DAC thread

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69

Thanks a lot for your suggestions

Yup, I am going to follow that thread. It’s nice to see new 1bit Dac by Topping

Gerardo

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70

Hello,
following your suggestion I wanted to buy smsl d-6 but is not available at the moment so I bought Topping E30II for 149 euro and Wow!
I’m still running burnout but E30II running in DSD mode is on other level towards SMSL DO300
It sounds very detailed but much sweeter. The three-dimensionality is also much superior.
HQPlayer Desktop 5.5.1 under Ubuntu 22.04.3, DSD512, poly-sinc-gauss-xla, poly-sinc-gauss-hires-lp, asdm7ec-super 512+fs seems to be the best configuration for my chain. DSD filter setting for E30II is 76 KHz because I don’t like 39 KHz
I’m following Topping D90III 1bit discrete :wink:
Thanks very much again
Gerardo

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