Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC

I had the Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC for a couple of days. I bought it just as a low cost external USB sound card, as the docking station of my laptop has no audio output (how silly).

I use it connected to a Tivoli Audio Networks setup. I'm don't consider myself an audiophile, so I won't comment on this part, although I like good sounding music and high quality sound.

I bought the device on ebay's listing via "Standard shipping", and it arrived promptly in an padded envelope, labelled as USB to analog converter. I didn't have to pay for customs, I guess it was below the threshold level. The seller was responsive to questions and helpful, and sent the package on its way next day.

I connected to in the following way: Sony S13 laptop > docked into Sony VGP-PRS30 docking station > Exsys USB 2.0 hub > and finally the Hifimedy Sabre USB DAC. 

Operating system: Windows 8 Pro reinstalled on an SSD. It was recognized right away, ready to use. In the system it shows up as "SPDIF Interface (SABRE 24/96 DAC_DigiT)". I find the sound to be excellent, no hiss, no clicks.

The only negative I can say that it feels cheaply built. Probably it is solid, and anyway, it is tucked away with the cables, but if feels cheap.

All in all, even if you don't need audiophile quality, just an external sound card, this is an excellent value for the money, I can recommend it.

I felt I had to write.

I've owned this thing for about 4 months and just today I turned it on and it sounded what I consider real hifi (The difference between a good sounding best buy and high end kit). It's not real high end but it's getting there.

There is so much more detail I could not hear before now it's hit what i presume is it's run in period (must be  60-100 hours or so). Bass could be a little more extended/slamming, soundstage could be a little but wider. BUT it gets really close and certainly fills the room with a vivid image of the recording, the instruments / soundstage could be more anchored and deliniated. Otherwise assume everything else good.

Mids and highs are listenable for sustained periods (unlike some reviews), very smooth from the start. Bass is fast and well formed but not quite 100% slam.

I've heard many £1000-£2000 DACs and below sound not much better. I paid under 25 quid for this thing. Bargain until I can spend £150 on my next bargain real dac but perhaps I just got a hearing upgrade, it's night and day. Maybe I don't need to upgrade anymore im thinking, at least for a while. And this is the cheap uae23 without the usb isolation and seperate power of the uae23+

As for a headphone DAC, it's probably excellent as the whole soundstage thing is irrelevant with cans. Price aside!

Great little piece of kit! Just bought this bad boy to upgrade from my ELE DAC, which served its purpose but was too bright with my DT770s, and overall just couldn't really do justice to either the Beyers or my HD558.

Compared to my other sources (Voodoo'd Samsung Infuse w/ Wolfson WM8740, ELE DAC), it is definitely a step up in terms of overall performance. The highs are not quite as sharp as the ELE, and the overall tone is clearly warmer with more bass. With my DT770, I get noticeably thumpier, slightly tighter bass, and more forward mids. With my HD558, the sound fills out nicely, with a darkish, authoritative sound that is great for a lot of my music: Tool/APC, Infected Mushroom. When I throw my E11 into the mix, the soundstage gets bigger and everything is pretty nicely spaced.

Overall I would not hesitate for a second to recommend this unit to anyone who wants to upgrade from their PC/laptop sound card. I think I would choose a more neutral amp than my E11 to go with it due to the fact that it is a bit warm on its own, but overall it is a very noticeable upgrade over my onboard sound, and I imagine it will be for most budget PC users as well.