REVIEW (more to come) - CEntrance DACport 24/96 USB DAC Amp - Page 16

How well would the Dacport do when mated with the Byerdynamic T70p (32 Ohm, 104 db 1mW/500Hz)?

My first impressions of the DACport LX   (or...  Six hours of getting "schooled" by Centrance):  

http://www.head-fi.org/t/456327/sony-pcm-m10-as-portable-player/75#post_7865702

In addition to what I've posted at the link above, let me add that my Shure SE530's have never sounded better than they do plugged directly into the DACport LX (with no amp) - with volume controlled at the laptop.    

If one can define the ideal amp as a device that increases power output with absolute transparency, what better amp can be had than no amp at all, when using transducers efficient enough to be driven directly by the DAC?    D-E-T-A-I-L and smoothness...

I tried plugging my LCD-2 Rev.1 directly into the DACport LX, but there's just not enough power to set the LCD-2 free.  Inserting a 15V Stepdance, my LCD-2 came to life, like never before.  

Me want!

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terps Fan 

How well would the Dacport do when mated with the Byerdynamic T70p (32 Ohm, 104 db 1mW/500Hz)?

Never tried T70p, but based on specification, that's a pretty easy job for DACport to drive

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

 

My first impressions of the DACport LX   (or...  Six hours of getting "schooled" by Centrance):  

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/456327/sony-pcm-m10-as-portable-player/75#post_7865702

 

In addition to what I've posted at the link above, let me add that my Shure SE530's have never sounded better than they do plugged directly into the DACport LX (with no amp) - with volume controlled at the laptop.    

 

If one can define the ideal amp as a device that increases power output with absolute transparency, what better amp can be had than no amp at all, when using transducers efficient enough to be driven directly by the DAC?    D-E-T-A-I-L and smoothness...

 

I tried plugging my LCD-2 Rev.1 directly into the DACport LX, but there's just not enough power to set the LCD-2 free.  Inserting a 15V Stepdance, my LCD-2 came to life, like never before.  

 

Me want!

 

Mike

Glad you like it, I certainly did.  Kind of miss it.  I tried the LX the same way, straight no amp and thought it did sound great.  Though I believe there are hazards to connecting phones directly to LO signals if I recall correctly without some sort of buffer stage I believe?  I tried to not make a habit of it.  

I just got my DACport back after sending it in for the 1 ohm mod.  I was a little worried if the mod would be worth the $100 cost but I wanted to get my DACport ready for my custom IEMs and I didn't think the 10 ohm output would play nice.  If you have cans/iems less than 80 ohms and are on the fence regarding this mod, I would highly recommend it.  The bass on my HE-500s tightened up significantly and it seems as though the whole frequency range has more cohesion.  The first thing I noticed was a slight lack of the original warmth but I think the mod removed a mid bass hump that was contributing to that sound. The lows hit much harder and deeper now with no muddiness. Now that my ears have burned in, I don't miss the mid bass at all (although I am a detail guy and prefer accuracy).

That is good to know.  I have a DACport but also the DACmini with the 1 Ohm option and like both of them. But I have to admit that the DACport would benefit more bass power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadkenny64 

I just got my DACport back after sending it in for the 1 ohm mod.  I was a little worried if the mod would be worth the $100 cost but I wanted to get my DACport ready for my custom IEMs and I didn't think the 10 ohm output would play nice.  If you have cans/iems less than 80 ohms and are on the fence regarding this mod, I would highly recommend it.  The bass on my HE-500s tightened up significantly and it seems as though the whole frequency range has more cohesion.  The first thing I noticed was a slight lack of the original warmth but I think the mod removed a mid bass hump that was contributing to that sound. The lows hit much harder and deeper now with no muddiness. Now that my ears have burned in, I don't miss the mid bass at all (although I am a detail guy and prefer accuracy).

While I don't have the DACPort DAC or anything like it. I'm glad they went the capacitorless route for coupling. I have been doing this type of mod for years.

Too bad I can't really afford one of these right now as my bills are rather high new car & having just moved into more expensive housing. I can say though from my experience with coupling devices that direct coupling is at least to me the cats meow provided there is nothing preventing it or no other sound issues with the circuit in question. I say this as my experience with these mods in this area can expose sonic issues with poor analog designs that the low grade coupling caps masked such as in my SACD player. I had to reconfigure the analog filters to get it to sound right with direct coupling. Stock it never really sounded good to my ears either. While the caps masked the sonic problems with the filters they also masked a lot of the music as well.

After all the mods on my SACD player it sounds almost exactly like my computer with the only slightly modded Essense STX soundcard which sounds very good to me. Headphone amp on this was already direct coupled but line out wasn't when stock but is now which is my only mod to this card. I use this card to feed my modded M-AudioBX5 & modded Tannoy TS10 subwoofer. all fully D.C. coupled except the tweeter amps as it needs the crossover which is at it's input, other wise it would be capable of amplifying all the way to D.C. like the woofer & subwoofer amps are after my mods. This is a very lively & lifelike sound for such a cheap audio setup.

Hi guys, I'm currently searching for a suitable DAC, and after reading up a bit I've been thinking of getting the Centrance Dacport LX. I own a Darkvoice 332 amp and an Audeze LCD-2, and would like to ask if a Centrance Dacport LX be suitable for my system. How would the Dacport LX compare to other Dacs in it's price range? And is it worth springing for a Centrance Dacmini given it's more than twice the cost of the Dacport LX...

If you are happy with the synergy between your amp and the LCD-2 then I would think the DACport LX would be the way to go.  I don't have the DACmini but I can say the DACport adds very little color to the signal compared to other setups I've had.  I have been on a neutral kick lately and would not trade my DACport for anything in the same price range.  I did get the 1 Ohm mod.  I feel that output impedance is often overlooked when shopping for a dac or amp even though it plays a huge role in changing the FR on low impedance cans.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoohao 

Hi guys, I'm currently searching for a suitable DAC, and after reading up a bit I've been thinking of getting the Centrance Dacport LX. I own a Darkvoice 332 amp and an Audeze LCD-2, and would like to ask if a Centrance Dacport LX be suitable for my system. How would the Dacport LX compare to other Dacs in it's price range? And is it worth springing for a Centrance Dacmini given it's more than twice the cost of the Dacport LX...

$200 is a very good price with the cable. I own a Dacport and Dacmini and love both of them. The DAC on both is very similar. You won't find a better DAC (portable & desktop) for that price.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoohao 

Currently I'm able to get the dacport lx bundled with a centrance 1/4 to RCA interconnect for roughly 200usd used, should I go for it? I don't really require a portable dac however so would any desktop amps be better than the dacport lx at this price?

The only desktop DAC I would consider over the DACPort LX even at regular price would be the BiFrost.  So you can see $200 is a pretty good deal from my perspective.  Plus it fits in your pocket.  Kinda =P