R2R dac vs. Delta Sigma type dac

heiney9 · February 11

mhardy6647 wrote: »

heiney9 wrote: »

Well this was a complete bust.............don't impulse buy!!!

The unit is awesome if you're into headphones. It could not be used as a conventional pre-amp like every other headphone amp I've seen/owned with a line out.

Streaming Qobuz, I hooked this up like every other similar piece of gear. USB out of the computer in an iFi Galvonic 3, out of the iFi into the USB of the TA30, recognized it right away.

Signal cable from the AUX Out on the TA30 to the Pass ACA amp. Clicking through all the inputs and then full blast sound. Try to adust the volume control on the TA30 and it does nothing. Normally I have my Qobuz player on the computer set at full volume. I was able to attenuate the volume only from the Qobuz player on the computer not the TA30. Not ideal at all!! And a bit perplexing.

Ok, lets try this another way for sh its and grins. I'll use the EE dac and then use the analog out of the EE dac to the analog input on the TA30. Nada, nothing, no sound....WTF. Why have an AUX in and out if they don't function like a normal unit.

I don't own headphones to see if the sound only come out the headphone jack. It must be wired differently inside.

This thing is built like a tank, very high quality tube sockets and I can see the board stuffed with ELNA Silmic II's. Fit and finish is excellent. I am disappointed it can't function as a tube-dac-pre.

The seller has agreed to take it back. I really wanted it to work out. The reviews I read gave it high marks and there's lots of info on tube rolling too.

The other irksome thing is there is a language button to switch the screen from Chinese to English. It only worked on the USB input screen. All the other settings were in Chinese even if I choose English. I recognized the bluetooth symbol for the bluetooth input, but all the script on the screen was in Chinese. There were two other screens in Chinese and then I guess the AUX IN was in English too.

H9

None of the issues were mentioned in any of the reviews?
Nothing in the manual addressing any of these quirks?

One review said they ran a pair of speakers. There are quite a few reviews out there. The manual is crap, typical conversion from Chinese. Not as bad as some, but certainly vague.

I took a shot after reading a few very positive reviews because the price was excellent and it was NIB. I usually do a lot more research, but what the hey....seller has agreed to take it back.

H9

invalid · February 11

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Plug a stereo headphone plug (1/4" or 1/8", judging by the look of the front panel) to 2 RCA plug cable into the headphone jack, and it should work fine as a preamp.

That might work, it's worth a try.

HzTweaker · February 11

“One review said they ran a pair of speakers. There are quite a few reviews out there. The manual is crap, typical conversion from Chinese. Not as bad as some, but certainly vague.

I took a shot after reading a few very positive reviews because the price was excellent and it was NIB. I usually do a lot more research, but what the hey....seller has agreed to take it back.

H9”

Maybe bad Chinese to English translations?

“Clicking through all the inputs and then full blast sound.”

I’m glad I’m following this thread! As I’m going to hook up a test pair of speakers in place of the Maggies before firing up the rig with the K13 in place.

I hope we don’t have similar issues with our Fiio products.

heiney9 · February 11

HzTweaker wrote: »

“One review said they ran a pair of speakers. There are quite a few reviews out there. The manual is crap, typical conversion from Chinese. Not as bad as some, but certainly vague.

I took a shot after reading a few very positive reviews because the price was excellent and it was NIB. I usually do a lot more research, but what the hey....seller has agreed to take it back.

H9”

Maybe bad Chinese to English translations?

“Clicking through all the inputs and then full blast sound.”

I’m glad I’m following this thread! As I’m going to hook up a test pair of speakers in place of the Maggies before firing up the rig with the K13 in place.

I hope we don’t have similar issues with our Fiio products.

You won't. I tried all input/output selections. Most were in Chinese despite me using the language change button.

HzTweaker · February 11

The K13's outputs are advertised as line levels (minus the headphone side of it). I hope that's not a bad translation and end up blowing up the speakers, even if it's a test pair.

heiney9 · February 12

HzTweaker wrote: »

The K13's outputs are advertised as line levels (minus the headphone side of it). I hope that's not a bad translation and end up blowing up the speakers, even if it's a test pair.

Best to ask questions and read reviews and ask questions. You should ask questions.

My small hang-up was I read in a very detailed review with tube rolling that he ran a pair of speakers using it as a pre-amp. I missed the part where he stated they were powered speakers. So based on what I know now, he was using it as a tube buffer, not a dedicated pre-amp.

I jumped to conclusions based on every other headphone amp with an output has performed as a pre-amp for me. These SS and tube headphone amps have been excellent for use in an office desk top system. I have (2) Keces units, one with dac one without. (2) Pass DIY pieces one SS one with a Korg Nu-tube and one Shiit with a single tube. All designed to be headphone amps or pre-amps (especially the Pass DIY pieces).

My next piece will be a Schiit Valhalla 2 or 3 OTL headphone amp/pre-amp. The 2 is OTL but has coupling caps the 3 is OTL and OCL.

H9

maxward · February 12

Bummer!

tonyb · February 12

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/5202547429970272?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:2f14391d-8f04-4bd8-bf52-19ace1ceb610

heiney9 · February 12

Ah yeah, I don't tend to look at FB marketplace since it can be so wacky. But I will contact him when I get home. Exactly what I'm looking for at the price I'm willing to pay. Heading to IKEA this Monday in Schaumburg, but I bet WIcker Park is farther in towards the lake (if he won't ship).

I had to laugh, between Friday and Sunday I missed out on (3) Valahalla 2's by a whisker. One on Head-fi, one on Ebay and one on USaudiomart, For 2 I was back-up if payment or deal fell through and Ebay I sent in an offer and the guy gave me an opportunity to match his highest offer but somehow there was a miscommunication and I missed it by $5!!!

Thanks Tony!

HzTweaker · February 12

I'll start my own thread for the K13 r2r dac after I've messed with it more so I don't muck your thread up lol.

What I can report so far is that it can be used as a Pre. Note I will not be using it as one. I didn't even think it could be used as a per and only bought it to run as an external dac.

heiney9 · February 13

HzTweaker wrote: »

I'll start my own thread for the K13 r2r dac after I've messed with it more so I don't muck your thread up lol.

What I can report so far is that it can be used as a Pre. Note I will not be using it as one. I didn't even think it could be used as a per and only bought it to run as an external dac.

It'll be easier to search, plus I am looking forward to your impressions as the Warmer r2r is based on it.

I kidn of mucked up my own thread....lol.

Lou @ohskigod who used to be a large contributor here, not so much anymore, loves his K13. He's the only other person I know that has one in their rig or rather swaps gear around for fun like many of us.

H9

mhardy6647 · February 13

heiney9 wrote: »

I kidn of mucked up my own thread....lol.

Better you than me.

Lou @ohskigod who used to be a large contributor here, not so much anymore, loves his K13. He's the only other person I know that has one in their rig or rather swaps gear around for fun like many of us.

H9

heiney9 · February 13

tonyb wrote: »

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/5202547429970272?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:2f14391d-8f04-4bd8-bf52-19ace1ceb610

I'm talking with the guy now. Trying to work out a shipping option deal. Wicker Park is too far to drive for a $250 piece of gear that's pretty easy to find. He seems open to shipping, still waiting for the final verdict.

H9

HzTweaker · February 14

heiney9 wrote: »

Lou @ohskigod who used to be a large contributor here, not so much anymore, loves his K13. He's the only other person I know that has one in their rig or rather swaps gear around for fun like many of us.

H9

Fantastic maybe Lou can assist me with making the Fiio control app work?.

HzTweaker · February 27

I received a 25% off coupin from HDTracks this morning. So I went ahead and bought and downloaded "The Jazz Side Of The Moon" in DSD 128 & "Jazz At The Pawnshop" in DSD 256. I've been looking forward to listening to the two albums and these albums will be my first ever experience with DSD in my rig. I can't wait to get home and see/hear how the K13 preforms!

HzTweaker · February 27

Update, the second I hit post comment we had equipment go down on site. This required me to hang back and assist my team. So I stayed for a couple more hours. This "killed the vibe" I was going for so I didn't get any seat time in with the rig unfortunately. I had to carry out some adulting instead. I'm thinking once the dust settles from this weekend I should be able to checkout and listen to the two albums mentioned in my last post Sunday evening and Monday as I took that day off to accommodate a schedule anomaly at work.

jdjohn · February 28

I should be picking up a Metrum Acoustics Onyx R2R DAC tomorrow. Looking forward to comparing it with my Benchmark HGC/DAC3.

Conradicles · February 28

jdjohn wrote: »

I should be picking up a Metrum Acoustics Onyx R2R DAC tomorrow. Looking forward to comparing it with my Benchmark HGC/DAC3.

Please share.
I'm trying to figure out which R2R dac to try.

Geoff4rfc · February 28

@Conradicles I wish I was able to give you some comparisons however I only have experience with a single external DAC but I can tell you the Denafrips line has NOT disappointed one single bit.

My system has become extremely revealing regarding the quality of CD recordings and the good to great ones???? I no longer listen to music, I experience it!!

treitz3 · February 28

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

My system has become extremely revealing regarding the quality of CD recordings and the good to great ones???? I no longer listen to music, I experience it!!

I know exactly what you mean by that. Awesome. It's certainly a great feeling to experience the music like you never have before. Congratulations!

Tom

HzTweaker · March 1

jdjohn wrote: »

I should be picking up a Metrum Acoustics Onyx R2R DAC tomorrow. Looking forward to comparing it with my Benchmark HGC/DAC3.

Awesome! I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

@Conradicles I wish I was able to give you some comparisons however I only have experience with a single external DAC but I can tell you the Denafrips line has NOT disappointed one single bit.

My system has become extremely revealing regarding the quality of CD recordings and the good to great ones???? I no longer listen to music, I experience it!!

Same here. I'm glad the Denafrips is working out for you so far. Have you taken that thing to the stratosphere (in sample rates) yet? @Geoff4rfc

Geoff4rfc · March 1

@HzTweaker I haven't played around with it yet. I have it on non over sampling - 44K1 - 1X

Tomorrow will be a week of ownership. I'm sure at one point I'll experiment, for now, I'm going from one CD to the next

R2R dac vs. Delta Sigma type dac

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