REVIEW: Yulong DAH-1 Mk II DAC/Headphone Amp - Page 2

I can only endorse Rob's tip re the C-T for use as a DAC with Grados, even if I still question the need to upsample everything to the 'magic' 24/192. YMMV.

What is amazing about the industry is that now we have many options in the sub $400 amp/dac combos that sound very good. Not so a few years ago, thanks.

Actually a very interesting device, only the technical specifications are still not complete. How big is the impedance range of headphones? How big is the power output at 32 or 600 ohms? Apart from that, it would be a lot more professional, if the technical information from manufacturers would be SI compliant, along with a significantly better readability.

I've been considering this amp as it's basically the only one in my price range I'm able to buy in Shanghai. From an actual shopfront that is, I know there's the Tianyuan Zero and the Yuezhibang Musiland 02, both of which seem very popular on head-fi, but I can't seem to find a shop that stocks them.

So I had an extended listen to the Yulong today using just its DAC. Setup was:

ALAC -> USB -> Yulong -> Graham Slee Solo SRGII -> HD650

The Solo's two inputs proved pretty convenient for AB'ing as I compared the Yulong to the iPod.

Now these are just a headphone noob's impressions so take them with a grain of salt, and the Yulong is only the second DAC I have ever heard. The other was another Chinese DAC, the Arce MDAC which no one seems to have heard of so I won't go into it.

To my ears the difference between the Yulong and my iPod are very subtle. The main things I noticed were that the Yulong seemed to produce a slightly cleaner and more articulate sound, and, depending on the recording, some instruments sound a bit farther away from my head than they do on the iPod. So I guess it has a wider soundstage.

My overall impressions were very positive, though to be honest if I was getting the same audio quality as my iPod but out of my computer I probably would not spend the $250 to upgrade to the Yulong, but money is tight so that's just me. Since my iPod has very limited storage and I'm hoping to use my computer as my main source I am quite seriously considering buying it. Note that my impressions were also from the USB input, I understand coax and optical may result in slightly higher sound quality.

Also to those who are looking for only a DAC and are put off by the cost that goes into the wasted amp, I was told by the guy at the store (who has always been very candid and helpful) that the amp only adds 200 yuan (~$30) to the cost of the unit.

I own Yulong DAH1 MkII since 4 Month now, and i'm very satisfied with it, but now i have some Swan M200 MkIII and i want to go to the superior Step with my Sound, the main problem is :

Which DAC is better than the Yulong DAH1 MkII ?

I have listened several DAC :
- DAC Zero tweaked with OPA627
- Stock Musiland Monitor 02 US
- Stock Musiland Monitor 01 US
- HifidiY PCM 1793 SPDIF Dac Board

For the moment none of theses DAC have the same quality than the Yulong, all seems sound recessed or dull with lesser extension and narrowed soundstage compared to the DAH1.

My question is : Which DAC can be better than the DAH1 MkII in the 400$ price range ?

Is it worth to change DAC ???

None of those are worth it....an Audio-gd DAC19DF for a few more dollars would be an ideal upgrade over the Yulong and the DAC's you named. A used DAC19 MK III could be had for around 400 or less if you can find one in the FS forum. If there is a 19MKIII (or even the latest version) up for grabs don't hesitate...it's a great DAC.

 

Peete.

Edited by Pricklely Peete - 5/12/10 at 1:44am

Bumping an old thread.  As my Stagedac/Concerto combo is in the mail, I just realized how perfectly this amp synergized with my recently burned in (100hrs) HD650 w/Silver Dragon v2 cable.  I mean, I could seriously be happy forever with this unit and sell the Stagedac/concerto combo on headfi.