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Zhaolu 2.0 ARRIVED!!! IMPRESSION INSIDE! - Page 21

post #301 of 858
5/28/06 at 9:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by micaela
Thanks Andrew -- I had done a search & read that but it didn't give a whole lot of info. I was hoping someone had made a little more detailed comparison -- but I guess not. It doesn't sound like its enough of an improvement to spend the $'s on.
I spent some good time with both dacs. I prefer the zhoalu, but its very subtle. You can read a small review here.
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post #302 of 858
5/28/06 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meyvn
See, that's true, but with audio stuff, I'd say synergy plays a big enough role that just throwing a bunch of quality parts together does not necessarily mean better sound; also, even a technically more detailed DAC may not sound very good to many ears (for example, the SA5000s are very detailed, but many find them harsh; I for one could not listen to them without a very tubey amp). I've heard a Zhaolu 1.3, my own upgraded Zhaolu D2, and a MicroDAC, but I'm afraid I wasn't paying much attention when I heard the other two because I was too busy worrying about headphone comparisons. :/
Yes synergy can play a good role in balancing out the system. I'd rather not play the juggling act too much in compensating strengths and weakness but rather just have everything good.

I agree throwing in a bunch of quality parts doesn't mean better.

I also agree more detail is not necessarily better since there's more to sound than just detail.

SA5000 is not a DAC. Some people find them harsh because that's what their systems are. I do not think most people systems are that great (to my ears). I have rather high standards and don't like 95% of what I hear.

MicroDAC to me is just an entry level unit. It's a little edgy / unrefined sounding. A bit unbalanced sounding to me.

Zhaolu 1 to me was far better. More spacious, more detailed, less edgy.
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post #303 of 858
5/28/06 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aznsensazian
I spent some good time with both dacs. I prefer the zhoalu, but its very subtle. You can read a small review here.


Thanks - that helps some. I'm just trying to figure out my next purchase. I'll have a few extra bucks in a couple of weeks & of course I must spend
The other thing I'm considering is upgrading my hornet to a nicer home dedicated amp.
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post #304 of 858
5/28/06 at 10:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by micaela
Thanks - that helps some. I'm just trying to figure out my next purchase. I'll have a few extra bucks in a couple of weeks & of course I must spend
The other thing I'm considering is upgrading my hornet to a nicer home dedicated amp.
I you have a MicroDAC already I'd wait a bit for BB1794.
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post #305 of 858
5/28/06 at 11:34pm
For sure I'm waiting for the BB & the discreet amp upgrade -- even then I'm not sure that will be the best use of my $'s in my system.
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post #306 of 858
5/29/06 at 12:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TigzStudio
Usually people always use Coaxial due to cheap construction of the optical components mounted on the pcb, I believe the justification is less jitter introduced with coax?

Well, I always use coaxial, havent compared with my Zhalou though.
my best understanding is that coax is generally preffered, except optical can be good in a pc implimentation where you won't have noise transmitted electricaly.

for me it's optical only because av710 is cheap, and there does not seem to be an equivalent bitperfect coax solution for pc; or is there one i don't know about?
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post #307 of 858
5/29/06 at 1:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by micaela
So has noone compared to the Micro DAC?? I'm really wanting to know!!
the micro must certainly make concessions for size and battery life. i imagine it's a lovely PORTABLE dac, lovely. it takes a whole lot to put good sound in a small portable package, and it would be utterly remarkable if it didn't loose anything for that compromise.
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post #308 of 858
5/29/06 at 1:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by micaela
For sure I'm waiting for the BB & the discreet amp upgrade -- even then I'm not sure that will be the best use of my $'s in my system.
Well for $600, instead of modding your 555es, you can get a better DAC source and better amp IMO. The hornet is a fun little amp but it could use some more bass tightness, detail, and space.
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post #309 of 858
5/29/06 at 4:57am
Seeing as how the BB1794 won't be out for a long time and I plan to get a MDR-SA5000 in the future, I've been thinking. Might the CS4398 board pair better with those headphones than the BB1794? It would make matters easier if it does.
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post #310 of 858
5/29/06 at 5:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by uzziah
my best understanding is that coax is generally preffered, except optical can be good in a pc implimentation where you won't have noise transmitted electricaly.

for me it's optical only because av710 is cheap, and there does not seem to be an equivalent bitperfect coax solution for pc; or is there one i don't know about?
The AV710 can be quite easily hacked to get coax out. Consider it an option if you really want to try coax.
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post #311 of 858
5/29/06 at 5:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zenja
Seeing as how the BB1794 won't be out for a long time and I plan to get a MDR-SA5000 in the future, I've been thinking. Might the CS4398 board pair better with those headphones than the BB1794? It would make matters easier if it does.
I'm foregoing the wait and getting the CS4398 now for the very same reason. Not only will Eddy's fre eupdgrade run out before then, but my K701s can use a bit warming up. Will see how this compares to the Monica 2 though.
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post #312 of 858
5/29/06 at 5:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zenja
Seeing as how the BB1794 won't be out for a long time and I plan to get a MDR-SA5000 in the future, I've been thinking. Might the CS4398 board pair better with those headphones than the BB1794? It would make matters easier if it does.
Nearly impossible question to answer. People would have to hear all 3 boards to compare. It also depends upon what you think of SA5000's sound out of your system. Some people think the treble is too much, bass is light. So the answer can be either get something with less treble or more bass. You can do this with opamp changes in the DAC or with other things in your system so it makes the question nearly irrelevant since you can tweak.
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post #313 of 858
5/29/06 at 5:53am
Well, I'm under the impression that the SA5000 is sort of thin and not as full-bodied as other headphones, and that the CS4398 is basically the opposite, so it seems like they might pair nicely. Brightness doesn't scare me though.
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post #314 of 858
5/29/06 at 6:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eVITAERC
The AV710 can be quite easily hacked to get coax out. Consider it an option if you really want to try coax.
really? i'd certainly consider that
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post #315 of 858
5/29/06 at 6:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zenja
Well, I'm under the impression that the SA5000 is sort of thin and not as full-bodied as other headphones, and that the CS4398 is basically the opposite, so it seems like they might pair nicely. Brightness doesn't scare me though.
CS4398 to me is a bit light sounding in it's various incarnations in other DACs/soundcards. It remains to be heard though what it sounds like in zhaolu 2. I myself would stick with AD1852 for more dynamics or maybe the BB unit which may be warmer sounding. But the sound of a unit can be tweaked a fair bit by the makers so they can come out quite differently.

Zhaolu 1 with ad1852 was a bit light sounding for me.

I wouldn't really worry too much about. the good thing is you can change the sound with the opamps.
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