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Yulong Sabre D18 thread: reviews, impressions, discussion (full review added 2/5) - Page 44

post #646 of 905
12/7/12 at 5:25pm
I pulled the trigger on a black D18 today, should have it by the end of next week :-)
Once again, terrible waiting will hopefully be rewarded...

But reading your post makes me feel very confident with my decision, perfect!
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post #647 of 905
12/7/12 at 5:57pm

I guess there goes my answer, it goes well with tube, now just with what kind of tube amp, a dark one or clean and fast one. Any suggestions? Pairing with HD650

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post #648 of 905
12/11/12 at 3:44am

has anyone paired the Yulong with SOtM Products?

 

I'm reading SO much good stuff about their DDC and even more about the separate PSU for it. Any head-fi opinions on those?

 

DDC: http://sotm-audio.com/english/products/dx-usb_hd.php

PSU: http://sotm-audio.com/english/products/mbps-d2s.php

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post #649 of 905
12/11/12 at 6:02am
Thread Starter 

My Auraliti PK90 music server uses a SOtM card for USB out. It sounds phenomenal. I have been tempted to pick up their DDC with the battery PSU but haven't had the time to really investigate it properly. They also have a ~$2k DAC which looks very well done - you can find it on eBay but it specifically says they aren't allowed to sell in the USA so I'll probably never get a chance to hear it.

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post #650 of 905
12/11/12 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by project86 View Post

My Auraliti PK90 music server uses a SOtM card for USB out. It sounds phenomenal. I have been tempted to pick up their DDC with the battery PSU but haven't had the time to really investigate it properly. They also have a ~$2k DAC which looks very well done - you can find it on eBay but it specifically says they aren't allowed to sell in the USA so I'll probably never get a chance to hear it.

http://sotm-audio.com/english/dealers/dealers.php the first two dealers are based in the US, maybe they have what you've been looking for?

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post #651 of 905
12/11/12 at 8:47pm
Congrats! I can't wait to hear your impressions. I really hope they are as favorable as mine were and continue to be on my setup.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Houbi View Post

I pulled the trigger on a black D18 today, should have it by the end of next week :-)
Once again, terrible waiting will hopefully be rewarded...
But reading your post makes me feel very confident with my decision, perfect!
Reply
post #652 of 905
12/12/12 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrTone View Post

I just took home an Ayre QB-9 DAC for a try today.  I already knew I like the D18 more than my Rega Dac.

 

QB-9:

  Laid back, smooth, warm.  Bass is a little boomy and unfocused.

 

D18:

  Everything pops, with wicked detail and instrument seperation.  A very 3D soundstage.

 

 

IMO, the D18 is a better sounding dac.  That's saying allot when the QB-9 is worth 4 times as much.

 

Now if I was a vinyl lover wanting that warm analog sound from my digital play back, the QB-9 might be the better choice.

 

 

I'm driving the D18 with a M2Tech Hiface by the way.

 

 

 

 

Went and plugged in a QB-9 again and I think I need to retract my statement that the D18 is better.  The Bass might not be as focused on the QB-9 but there is a certain richness across the spectrum.  The music just flows.  The instrument timbres seem to be more accurate on the QB-9.  Vocals are quite magical on the Ayre.

 

Part of the difference might be that I pulled the D18 all together and used the same conditioner, USB power supply, cables and balanced outputs this time.

 

Maybe the $2750 new price turned me off originally.  I've found a used 24/192 version for $1800, my common sense isn't playing with my hearing at that price. :)

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post #653 of 905
12/12/12 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
QB-9 is still a very nice unit, so it wouldn't surprise me if hit edged out the D18. The only minor thing I notice is that you are using the original Hiface which isn't really a top quality DDC by today's standards. I notice the D18 is very willing to respond to improvements in the transport - I've used an Izmo M1, Resonessence Concero, Stello U3, and a bunch of cheaper/lower end options, and I can tell the difference when using the better ones.
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post #654 of 905
12/12/12 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by project86 View Post

QB-9 is still a very nice unit, so it wouldn't surprise me if hit edged out the D18. The only minor thing I notice is that you are using the original Hiface which isn't really a top quality DDC by today's standards. I notice the D18 is very willing to respond to improvements in the transport - I've used an Izmo M1, Resonessence Concero, Stello U3, and a bunch of cheaper/lower end options, and I can tell the difference when using the better ones.

 

No, I ditched the Hiface 1 for a Hiface 2 a few months back.  The 2 had been driving the D18 for probably 6-8 months now.

 

The 2 wasn't stable, the computer would lose the Hiface 2 for no apparent reason on occasion. I see others were having the same issue.  It was part of the reason I decided to play with the QB-9 again.


Edited by DrTone - 12/12/12 at 1:46pm
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post #655 of 905
12/13/12 at 2:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrTone View Post

The 2 wasn't stable, the computer would lose the Hiface 2 for no apparent reason on occasion. I see others were having the same issue.  It was part of the reason I decided to play with the QB-9 again.

 

It's like the USB port turns into an idle state and doesn't deliver enough power. My Hiface2 stopped losing connection after adding a powered hub. When I can afford it I'll get an Aqvox (or Vaunix).

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post #656 of 905
12/13/12 at 6:20am

Agreed. I am using the Audiophilleo2 and the PurePower upgrade. Since the D18 is so resolving, I think using this high-end interface really helped to seem like such an amazing upgrade to me over the other non-reference DACs I had been using.

Quote:
Originally Posted by project86 View Post

QB-9 is still a very nice unit, so it wouldn't surprise me if hit edged out the D18. The only minor thing I notice is that you are using the original Hiface which isn't really a top quality DDC by today's standards. I notice the D18 is very willing to respond to improvements in the transport - I've used an Izmo M1, Resonessence Concero, Stello U3, and a bunch of cheaper/lower end options, and I can tell the difference when using the better ones.
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post #657 of 905
12/13/12 at 12:06pm

yesterday i order audio-gd new interface: DI-V3 supports I2S 32 bit. will see how it's  paired it with D18 and reference 1. should get it next few days.

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post #658 of 905
12/13/12 at 12:11pm

I am currently getting great results with the Yulong U18 with external PS and the D18:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/629782/yulongs-new-u18-usb-24-192-async-digital-interface


Edited by mrcasey - 12/13/12 at 12:52pm
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post #659 of 905
12/13/12 at 12:52pm
How much are these 2 products together. I wonder if you add the price of both if there is a better Dac that has USB for the added cost.
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post #660 of 905
12/13/12 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcullinan 

How much are these 2 products together. I wonder if you add the price of both if there is a better Dac that has USB for the added cost.

U18 and external PS: 254.00.  D18: 699.00

 

953.00 total

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Yulong Sabre D18 thread: reviews, impressions, discussion (full review added 2/5)