Review: Apogee Mini-DAC vs AQVOX USB 2 D/A MkII vs Stello DA100/HP100 vs Corda Opera

[DarKu]

Very very nice review dreamer!
Congrats and thank you for that.
I think i will buy an HP100 in the near future

[The Pieman]

This thread is like the Phoenix, risen from the ashes. It is well over a year old.

Simon

[Caution]

Well let's look at the bright side, at least its a very nice thread

[donunus]

I actually just noticed that Iron_Dreamer tested the aqvox mkI with upsampling off and the mkII with upsampling on which could be the reason for the big difference in sound

[Andrew_WOT]

Originally Posted by donunus

I actually just noticed that Iron_Dreamer tested the aqvox mkI with upsampling off and the mkII with upsampling on which could be the reason for the big difference in sound

I doubt that alone can contribute for the difference observed, but anything is possible. Just for the record on what is different on MkII from previous version, straight from the horse mouth.
best USB DAC, 192kHz, USB, streaming, 24bit, PC, computer, audiophile, highend, hifi, stereo, DAC, DA converter, Audio, USB to COAX, COAX to USB, balanced dac usb, headphone amp dac, 24/192 DA, High End HiFi, ASIO, single ended, Class-A, BurrBrown

NEW in the MKII Version:
Headphone amplifier in audiophile quality and USB headphone amp.
In the USB2DA-MKI version, only the USB-input was connected to an average quality headphoneamplifier,
but in the new MKII version we connected ALL inputs (USB, AES/EBU, COAX and TOSLINK)
to the new highend Headphone-Amp.
The fully discrete Class-A circuitry has no IC in signalpath and
delivers exceptional soundquality.
A first class monitoring solution. The headphoneamp is coupled directly to the DAC chip.
This saves the voltage gain stage - a shorter signalpath is almost not possible.

No global overall feedback
Fully discrete (single transistors) Single Ended Class A amplification technology and the use of just one amplifier per balanced analog output stage provides you with today's best possible sound quality. The amplifier section runs without global overall negative feedback, only lokal FB is used. Thus the amplifier generates drastically less dynamic distortions.

JitterEx precision-reclocking 192kHz/24Bit upsampling
Before the digital to analog conversion process, all signals are upsampled and converted to 192kHz/24Bit (unless the bypass is activated). This procedure is advantageous because DACs can offer better performance at higher sampling rates. Upsampling enables filtering to take place far beyond the range of human hearing, as well as offering other, audible benefits, right across the audio band, including improved transient response and less ringing. This results in a more open, transparent sound, tighter bass and a generally more "musical" sound.
NEW in the MKII Version: by factor 15 improved Clock.

True balanced circuitry for entire analog signal path
Featured with an AES/EBU digital input and a balanced XLR analog output the USB 2 D/A is the best choice for professional users to monitor digital recordings. True balanced circuitry for entire analog signal path. The USB 2 D/A is also excellent for persons who strive for the highest level of sound quality from their home audio systems, as well as for computer users who like to get the best output quality from their Workstations or Notebooks. No need to use a low-fi inbuilt soundcard. Furthermore users can upgrade their micro hifi system (portable CD, MD... as far as they provide a digital output) to a real high-end solution.

NEW in the MKII Version: LowNoise power supply, with 10dB quiter power output.
Our designers created a completely new LowNoise powersupply. Now the power output delivers with 10dB lower noise, cleaner energy and has a higher efficiency. Some better prefilters where added to bann the dirt also in lower frequencys. At the powersupplys output resides a linear regulator. The result is audible. And the sound of the MKII is now better even under bad power conditions.

BTW, haven't you ordered yours already? Why bother if it's done deal, having last minute buyer's remorse? I am sure it's a fine DAC, elephas seems to liked it a lot, back in 2004. PM him, he has gone through a lot of DACs since.

[donunus]

hehehe I'm ok. I am getting it from a high end store an island away from me next week. Its the first good dac I can find locally without having to wait for the dacmagic. I'm sure the mk2 really has a better headphone amp but it doesn't matter all that much since I do have a glite with dps for my hd600 and am receiving a stax system soon which wont be able to use the headphone amp anyway I was thinking of getting the ultramicrodac since it is on sale right now for 499 but this might be better in the long run in case I want to go balanced

[donunus]

Also wondering if the cecda53 has been changed in any way because it says the no global feedback design is new on the aqvox mkII. The cec says it has that feature already(no global feedback)on the 53
CEC DA CONVERTER DA53

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by donunus

Also wondering if the cecda53 has been changed in any way because it says the no global feedback design is new on the aqvox mkII. The cec says it has that on the 53
CEC DA CONVERTER DA53

Maybe I can't read because it looks like no feedback loop on CEC.

[donunus]

Thats what I meant. No feedback on the CEC. Wasn't that stated as a new feature on the aqvox mkII?