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Musiland SVDAC06

post #1 of 84
6/9/09 at 8:58pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I am going to be purchasing either some Audio-Technica ATH-AD700 or Sennheiser HD595. I have read that these headphones do not exactly need to be amped and that they will sound better with an external soundcard compared to my macbook pro's on board.

So basically I will be running this DAC like so: Macbook Pro > Musiland SVDAC06 via USB > ATH-AD700/HD595. Later on I will get an amp but I do not think I will need one as of now.

I have searched head-fi with no luck regarding the Musiland SVDAC06. Can anyone tell me if its a good DAC? I can get it for $120 with free shipping off ebay.

Thanks for the help!
(sorry if this is a lame post, I'm a head-fi noob! )

Andrew
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post #2 of 84
6/10/09 at 2:00am
Thread Starter 
No one?

Someones gotta have some info on a decent USB DAC for me!

Help a newbie out!
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post #3 of 84
6/10/09 at 2:08am
hey, i saw that on ebay too. i subscribed to your thread hoping to get some info.

i found the pro-ject usb box on amazon for only $110. though i guess you would want a headphone out. i have my own dilemma i made a thread for.

there seems to be sparse but positive info on the usb box on here, AFAIK.
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post #4 of 84
6/10/09 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Architorture View Post
hey, i saw that on ebay too. i subscribed to your thread hoping to get some info.

i found the pro-ject usb box on amazon for only $110. though i guess you would want a headphone out. i have my own dilemma i made a thread for.

there seems to be sparse but positive info on the usb box on here, AFAIK.
Thanks for the response!

The Project USB DAC doesn't have a headphone out. It has a wonderful price though.

From what I've read, the Musiland is an AMP/DAC combo. It also can up sample to 24/192.

It seems to be a helluva deal! I'm hoping someone who knows a lot about AMP/DAC's can point us in the right direction!

I just bought a Fiio E5 off Ebay for $12 bucks shipped for portable use. I was thinking about just getting a standalone DAC and running the E5 through that and then to my headphones.

Uhh, this audio stuff is a hoot but sure is confusing.
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post #5 of 84
6/10/09 at 3:21pm
It should be better than the sound card on your laptop. By the way, I guess you don't need the Fiio E5 to drive earphones if you use this DAC.
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post #6 of 84
6/10/09 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hertz View Post
It should be better than the sound card on your laptop. By the way, I guess you don't need the Fiio E5 to drive earphones if you use this DAC.
Ya thats what I'm hoping for. I bought the E5 mainly for portable use and because its so damn cheap!

The SVDAC05 has had some pretty favorable reviews. Was just wondering if the 06 was an improvement or worse then its siblings. Or if its better then most DAC's at that price point.
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post #7 of 84
6/10/09 at 4:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiml3ss View Post
Ya thats what I'm hoping for. I bought the E5 mainly for portable use and because its so damn cheap!

The SVDAC05 has had some pretty favorable reviews. Was just wondering if the 06 was an improvement or worse then its siblings. Or if its better then most DAC's at that price point.
The only difference I see is that the SVDAC06 uses the AD1852 DAC while the SVDAC05 uses the CS4398 DAC. The CS4398 is better (120db S/N vs 117db) on paper but both are used in much more expensive DACs. I doubt if there is really any difference, especially for loss formats.
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post #8 of 84
6/10/09 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Oh well then in that case the SVDAC06 is a better deal. I can get it for $120 shipped from this guy in China. Now I just gotta see if he is legit and not just sellin a knockoff.

So if you were going to drop $150 or less on a DAC/AMP combo would you go with the SVDAC06 or something different?

Thanks for the help so far!
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post #9 of 84
6/10/09 at 9:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hertz View Post
The only difference I see is that the SVDAC06 uses the AD1852 DAC while the SVDAC05 uses the CS4398 DAC. The CS4398 is better (120db S/N vs 117db) on paper but both are used in much more expensive DACs. I doubt if there is really any difference, especially for loss formats.
Actually the Pacific Valve website has a comparison of many entry level dacs. I don't know their criteria but it is helpful:
Pacific Valve & Electric Company Pacific Valve DAC Buying Guide
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post #10 of 84
6/10/09 at 9:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hertz View Post
Actually the Pacific Valve website has a comparison of many entry level dacs. I don't know their criteria but it is helpful:
Pacific Valve & Electric Company Pacific Valve DAC Buying Guide
Oh sweet! Thanks for the find!

Hmm, it basically says that the 06 is that same if not a bit better then the 05 and its way cheaper. Am I reading this thing right? I guess it depends how you like to listen to your music i.e. more bass, higher mids, etc.

Thanks Hertz, this chart makes me even more confident in purchasing the 06.
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post #11 of 84
6/10/09 at 10:45pm
I have had the SVDAC05 for several months and and have used it with my laptop for mp3, flac , and movies. I bought mine from Pacific Valve, since they check operation before sending them out and also give a defect warranty. The sound quality is decent for the price and I enjoy most music on it. Headphones is mainly what I use it for, but the line out works well enough. I think performance will improve a lot with some opamp rolling,when I get around to buying some.

There are a few quirks you should know about. The volume is controlled by front panel push buttons that have a good range of control. the middle push button steps through the different inputs, in sequence. The display for volume is sort of backwards. It shows a minus value so that max volume is zero and as you turn it down the numbers start going -1,-2,-3 etc.The bigger the number the lower the volume setting. Also, the display alternates from the volume setting display to input bit rate display and back to volume again every 2 seconds or so, which can be visually annoying. There does not seem to be any way any to change the display operation or to shut the display off. Maybe the display is a hackable, but I have not tried that yet. If the display weirdness would bother you, maybe you want to rethink your choice. I suspect the 06 will use the same display board.
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post #12 of 84
6/10/09 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Budgie View Post
I have had the SVDAC05 for several months and and have used it with my laptop for mp3, flac , and movies. I bought mine from Pacific Valve, since they check operation before sending them out and also give a defect warranty. The sound quality is decent for the price and I enjoy most music on it. Headphones is mainly what I use it for, but the line out works well enough. I think performance will improve a lot with some opamp rolling,when I get around to buying some.

There are a few quirks you should know about. The volume is controlled by front panel push buttons that have a good range of control. the middle push button steps through the different inputs, in sequence. The display for volume is sort of backwards. It shows a minus value so that max volume is zero and as you turn it down the numbers start going -1,-2,-3 etc.The bigger the number the lower the volume setting. Also, the display alternates from the volume setting display to input bit rate display and back to volume again every 2 seconds or so, which can be visually annoying. There does not seem to be any way any to change the display operation or to shut the display off. Maybe the display is a hackable, but I have not tried that yet. If the display weirdness would bother you, maybe you want to rethink your choice. I suspect the 06 will use the same display board.
Actually, one of the main reasons to why I am considering the Musiland is because of its display. I know, most people don't like screens but I love em.

You said the sound is decent, what are you comparing it to? I am just wondering because I've never bought a DAC and I'm pretty sure any DAC I purchase will sound WAY better then my computer or mp3 player.

Again, if there are any better choices for under $150, please let me know!
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post #13 of 84
6/10/09 at 11:53pm
The display is red led numeric type. Sound compared to my laptops jack is much better. I think Pacific Valve does a good job of describing the sound, certainly better then I can.
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post #14 of 84
6/11/09 at 12:20am
Guys, I would advise anyone looking at Musiland to do as much research as possible. I have the MD-10, a significant step up in price from the DAC you are considering, and I would only give it a B overall. It does a good job of driving my 601s volume wise, but I wouldnt describe the sound as anything special, esp when its outperformed by my Cambridge 340A SE (I find the integrated gives a warmer, 'fuller' note to the 601s than the MD-10 does, and the Cambridge has plenty in reserve).

Granted, I only have about a hundred hours on the MD-10 and 150 on the 601s, but it seems to lack sparkle with any of my cans. I'm not sure how successful the 'all-in-wonder' approach is with a DAC/amp combo, but so far the MD-10 is adequate but thats about it, I'm afraid. For those with the X-Fi Go! portable soundcard, I find I get more life from my notebooks (crap onboard sound) with the X-Fi (a game-oriented chip, but OK with music) driving the ES7/MS-1s, but there may be others out there who have had excellent results with the MD-10 : happy to hear their stories. If it is a case of 'more burn-in needed', I'd be especially happy to hear said stories.
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post #15 of 84
6/11/09 at 12:49am
I could spend more money and get better sound, thats always an option. I am happy enough with the Musiland and the saved money bought me a bunch more music to listen to.

The 601's need alot more drive then my Sony's do. I can see why you would prefer the setup you describe.
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