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Zhaolu 2.0 ARRIVED!!! IMPRESSION INSIDE! - Page 13

post #181 of 858
5/18/06 at 3:13pm
How much would a Zhaolu cost with the 4398 chip and Blackgate upgrade? And is this option the best available right now?
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post #182 of 858
5/18/06 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JiggaD369
How much would a Zhaolu cost with the 4398 chip and Blackgate upgrade? And is this option the best available right now?
It's $162.33 for the Zhaolu with 4398 plus $55 for the Blackgates and around $60 shipping.
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post #183 of 858
5/18/06 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chesebert
Impression Update..super short one:
Eastsound E3 vs Zhaolu...Eastsound is warmer and Zhaolu has better resolution and a little more space around the instruments.

But to be honest, I can live without Zhaolu if I have to

So for about $250bucks (zhaolu + some cheapo CDP) you get awsome sound no..questions about that!
My thoughts when I compared the Eastsound to the stock 1.3. I'm hoping that the CS4398 and Blackgates add a little more warmth to the sound of the Zhaolu while retaining the space around the instruments. No doubt I preferred the Eastsound to the Zhaolu but not by a huge margin.
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post #184 of 858
5/18/06 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
CS DAC is warmer than AD1852...But not as warm as the Eastsound...but on theo ther hand, Zhaolu has better space, instrument placing, and depth. Its really preference thing I guess.....again..more burn-in needed
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post #185 of 858
5/18/06 at 4:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skysaxon
It's $225 for the Zhaolu with 4398 plus $55 for the Blackgates and around $60 shipping.
Well, it's $162.33 from Eddie with 4398 plus $56 shipping + $55 blackgates...so not quite as expensive as you mentioned.
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post #186 of 858
5/18/06 at 5:16pm
Thanks for the correction on the unit itself. I was waaay off. My apologies.

Although he did charge me $61 USD for shipping.
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post #187 of 858
5/19/06 at 3:03am
From what I've read, I get the feeling that the zhaolu's bass is weak compared to the typical NOS dac sound sig, ie the bass of a DAC-AH. Is that really the case?
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post #188 of 858
5/19/06 at 10:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jas_kidd32
From what I've read, I get the feeling that the zhaolu's bass is weak compared to the typical NOS dac sound sig, ie the bass of a DAC-AH. Is that really the case?
Hmm, at least compared to the Ack! dAck! I didn't think so. Perhaps just a touch in punch but only a hair. I find the Zhaolu's bass pretty accurate IMO, it has no bloat or any perceived hump in the midbass like other sources can have that color it toward a hint of warmth. The Ack! dAck! had a bit of a mid bass hump that went up into he upper bass, giving it that extra plumpness there and I get the sense based on impressions that many NOS DAC's have this. The Zhaolu seems neutral and accurate of the bass coming from the recording (nicely detailed) - if it's punchy it will sound so, if it has deep bass it will sound so. As for deep bass I think it has excellent deep bass.
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post #189 of 858
5/19/06 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jas_kidd32
From what I've read, I get the feeling that the zhaolu's bass is weak compared to the typical NOS dac sound sig, ie the bass of a DAC-AH. Is that really the case?
I agree with Sean's summation. I am very impressed with both frequency extremes using the Zhalou.
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post #190 of 858
5/19/06 at 1:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jas_kidd32
From what I've read, I get the feeling that the zhaolu's bass is weak compared to the typical NOS dac sound sig, ie the bass of a DAC-AH. Is that really the case?
NOS may sound a bit rolled off in the treble to some. This may equate to more bass.

My zhaolu 1.5 did have less bass than DAC-AH. Neither to me were really defined. So it's a matter of perspective (where you're coming from and what you like).
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post #191 of 858
5/19/06 at 2:22pm
Has anyone tried a zhaolu with an x-fi or compared to an x-fi?
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post #192 of 858
5/19/06 at 3:31pm
^ Not directly, I don't think. It shouldn't much of a contest in terms of 2-channel sound quality. The difference between analog out on my AV-710 and the Zhaolu 1.3 aren't even close - the Zhaolu sounds much better.
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post #193 of 858
5/19/06 at 4:44pm
I just got my 2.0 two days ago, and i can safely say that i prefer this over the dac1. The benchmark dac1 seemed cold and edgier and too fast compared to this zhaolu with blackgates. This zhaolu is almost perfect. It sounds smoother crisp, and warm. Very detailed. Right now im using it with my rs-1 with no other amp and i think it sounds excellent. I also notice there is more bass than the dac1.

Im loving this thing! Thanks guys for openining the doors to new and better possibilities with this dac.
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post #194 of 858
5/19/06 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by surfboardz26
I just got my 2.0 two days ago, and i can safely say that i prefer this over the dac1. The benchmark dac1 seemed cold and edgier and too fast compared to this zhaolu with blackgates. This zhaolu is almost perfect. It sounds smoother crisp, and warm. Very detailed. Right now im using it with my rs-1 with no other amp and i think it sounds excellent. I also notice there is more bass than the dac1.

Im loving this thing! Thanks guys for openining the doors to new and better possibilities with this dac.
Wow the blackgate upgrades were quick! When did you order your Zhaolu?
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post #195 of 858
5/19/06 at 4:49pm
hey
I'm waiting still for the full optional crysler .. ehm zhalou - and modules- when it's supposed to be out ?
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