Cheap DAC OFF: Topping D30, SDAC, Modi Multibit, JDS EL DAC, iFi Nano BL

Time to add the Idsd micro BL in the mix?

Edit: NVM its not "cheap" enough per se, but it does sometimes sell on adorama for about 380ish.

 

Would you happen to have a Massdrop Plus on hand to try with it? I'd like to know how it well it pairs with each output. Particularly the iEMatch one.

 

These are similar to what I found in the xdsd. I don't remember right now which one was which . However, the same high frequency roll off and pre/post ringing extension difference (although I measured with a cheapo ol sound card).

 

On another matter I just got this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073PV8612/&keywords=sukira+3.5+xlr

for connecting the Clears balanced xlr cable with the trrs 3.5mm "balanced" output of the xdsd.

Regrettably at first I just got distant sound from one channel. Unpon closer inspection the pinout of the adapter was all messed up. I guess that since there isn't an actual 3.5mm trrs to XLR balanced standard it was too much to hope for a working solution in the first try.

After resoldering as l+r+l-r- it worked just fine. And the cable did looked as silver.

It may be only placebo, but I do hear a clear improvement. Mainly in separation and impact which is good for the Clears. I'm enjoying it quite a bit right now.

All in all I wouldn't recommend this adapter because resoldering will be required. And even if the cable seemed good quality as well as the connectors, the xlr wasnt neutrik or other brand I recognize. Thus, I believe you are better served by buying the materials and making it yourself.

If you have the Clears and the xdsd I highly recommend upgrading to balanced, cheaply made

 

Before I bought mine, I came across this page on the filters (though, oddly, you still have to look elsewhere to see which is “measure” and which is “listen”):

https://ifi-audio.com/audio_blog/does-the-nano-idsd-measure-good-bad-or-ugly/

Fortunately, as this document and Marvey’s measurements show, iFi’s minimum phase isn’t all post-ringing like Meridian’s, so it still sounds pretty good to my ears.

 

In my opinion, iFi is using the term “minimum phase” incorrectly here. They mean something like “short delay.” As Marv’s measurements show, the filter that iFi calls “minimum phase” is really a linear phase filter with a lower order than the measure filter. The delay is half the number of filter taps. The measure filter is of a similar design, but a higher order and hence a higher group delay. But the thing about both of these filters is that they don’t introduce phase distortion (or perhaps a minuscule amount). That’s not true of minimum phase filters, which have a non constant group delay across the audio band. I actually like what iFi has done here though. I’d much rather see a lower order linear phase filter than a minimum phase one.

 

Reading past posts, I understand Modi Multibit doesn’t shine unless combined with Eitr, but that’s another discussion. maybe schiit can add a gen 5 usb to Modi Multibit to make it a fair comparison. Great review btw.

 

Gen 5 takes too much space, the g5 board on its own is near the size of a Modi Multibit.



That's part of why Eitr exist, and why they've been working on a custom USB interface for smaller, lower cost stuff.

 

It could still work. Just look at the AMB audio Gamma 1.5/2

https://www.amb.org/audio/gamma1.5/

 

Yes, let's work on this. To whom we need to send a PM to mark our presence here?

 

It's highly likely that this is doable, but let me ask at HQ tomorrow.

 

@jexby Please proceed

 

Please don't worry about that and exploit xDSD the way you see fit. We're donating this unit to SBAF community here officially and trust it'll bring lots of joy to people here.