Steakface

I’ve been curious about ROHM chips but when I look up products that use them it only seems to be the SMSL DAC.

I’m sure brands are resistant to changing their chips on a whim but I would like to see more implementations

I'm hesitant to give any impressions until I'm sure it's done burning in. This DAC in particular had some pretty dramatic changes over the past week, and from what I've read online about ROHM DACs is that they benefit from a solid burn in. On my last listen I was beginning to like it.

If the majority of the sound signature of my iBasso DC Elite is related to the ROHM chip, consider me a fan.

On a whim I bought the SMSL D1, just to sate my curiosity. It's entry level but I'm hoping it can give me a taste of the ROHM sound.

Ooh that would be HOT!

Mjolnarok

@joch I'd say basically that's Tyr

Ah true, I forgot that fact. Just caught the Schiit livestream and Jason talked about how he expected their OCL design to sound bad but he was pleasantly surprised at how rich it sounded. My experiences with cap bypass have been negative so that would have been my first thought too.

Been following the discussion over at HF, looks like people are having issues with the amp going into protection mode. It could be why we aren't getting many impressions yet.

Yup, seems strange, been lurking that thread. Lots of protection issues it seems.

Somewhat surprised but mainly laughing at the timing, literally just today got my MMB2 board replacement in. Hopefully this one lasts.

A MMB-less Schiit lineup seems wrong. Even if it has to go to a TI chip, they should keep Modi MB around as a matter of principal.

Old isn't bad. That amp and the Sunrise are still worthy of consideration IMO

Not a bad time to IMO. Entry level stuff has superseded lots of mid-fi from prior years, it's ludicrous. TOTL is still its own demesne but it's a steep cost delta.

And it's a buyer's market too.

Tell me about it, just trying to catch up on all the new options has kept me pretty busy.

I can def make out the sluggishness with the stock circuitry, got thinking of speedballing it as soon as I get a chance. I'm running a 6080 Bendix slotted graphite column that I got for a good price, as well as an RCA 5814A. Prices for the 5998's are getting pretty crazy, are they worth the increase in SQ?

When I had the Crack a few yrs ago, the 5998 was regularly avail for around $70. Not sure what it goes for now, but I would've payed up to $90 for a good, non-micronphonic one. It's rugged and I found the sq a noticeable step up over the 6080 tubes I had (both solid & slotted graphite plates). I remember the 6080 sounding warmer, lusher, and slower than the more neutral, cleaner, more detailed 5998.

I've been checking eBay on them for the past few months, I routinely see them up for $120 - $150 so I'll prb get the speedball first and hopefully catch a good deal one day. Checked that Tungsram you mentioned - seems like it would be a good fit for the crack. I like the RCA 5814A the most out of the 12AU7 tubes I have (RCA Clear Top, Amperex Bugle Boy, HP branded Sylvania tube) but am curious about other options.

Might be a better room.