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post #4996 of 10028
11/22/12 at 9:32am

I really dont need the DAC from my FP,  cause my records are Analog bigsmile_face.gif    mainly for the amp and using my headphone.

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post #4997 of 10028
11/22/12 at 9:38am
Thread Starter 

@dtomo. The XBA-3 is one that you have to have for a while to fully understand. The stock hybrid tips restrict the sounds from them. I use the tips that came with my JVC earphones which have double the sound opening of the hybrids..You are right the 2 headphones are completely different but there are some similarities in the tuning of these 2. The more I listen to the MDR-1R I think the same engineers have a hand in the sound tuning..The MDR-1R is a much more richer fuller sounding experience over the XBA-3 however which ends up being more of an immediate impact on ones impression of them..dweaver mentioned he felt the MDR-1R while being a full sized can was an upgrade to the XBA-3 sound. I have to agree with that. 

 

@Wayne. I am listening to the XBA-3 using my Ele dac. It sounds great and will be a nice upgrade to your onboard sound. Recommended.


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 9:41am
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post #4998 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 

AND. For the guys that own the XB90EX. The Ele dac sound stupendous and scales even better than the XBA-3 using it. So far using the Ele dac the synergy is like this. All 3 earphones sound great but so far it is.  MH1C > XB90 > XBA-3

 

I noticed the XBA-3 don't need sound enhancement to sound their best.This being said I still recommend trying the Ele dac..I also noticed dynamic drivers scales better with more power or sound enhancement over armatures.


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 10:07am
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post #4999 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nihontoman View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post

 


I have it on 16 bit. It does not go to 24 bit but to be honest it won't make a lick of difference..The max is 16bit 48000 Hz Dvd quality.

 

 

the problem is, I have most of my classical/baroque and jazz in 24 bit 96khz or that strange SACD rips, you know, the ones with 1 bit but millions or herz :D so yeah, re-riping isn't an option :) would like something cheap that can support 24/196 recordings. as it is right now, my internal sound card can play exactly that and it sounds much better than everything I've heard (cleaner and more energetic than my clip, as little amount of hiss as the clip, much better soundstage than the zune hd and some sony cd player I used to have... so if the external DAC can not surpass that, then my wallet will be that much more happy :)

 

A track with a bit depth of 24 bits can be played by a DAC that only plays 16 bit audio.  It just won't sound like a 24 bit deep track, but it will sound like a 16 bit deep track.  Regarding sampling rate (Hz), I don't know.

 

Also, in case that some conversion has to be made, you do not have to rip the music from your original sources again.  All you have to do is get the right software (there should be free options) to convert to a format that can work with your new DAC.

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post #5000 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

Oh damn. I don't know which actually sounds better with the Ele Dac. The MH1s or the XB90s. Lol. It is a toss up right now. If you guys own both it is a win win. The mids are even more pronounced on the XB90EX and even better detail using the Ele. But the sound is so smooth using the MH1C. More dynamics to your dynamics. Then I just threw on the XBA-3. Wow.. All 3 sound great. No loosers here. It is a win win win.

 

Bottom line guys. This little DAC is a marvel. I am not joking or kidding on this point. I read a review online of a similar product on another headphone site a bare bones version that is even cheaper and one of the admins was raving about how this little dac will and does sound 10X better than your on board sound.

 

Ya right I thought and that is the reason why I needed to hear this dac for myself. This thing if I didn't have one myself I would have never guessed how great this sounds..This sound fantastic on every single iem and headphone I have tried thus far. Not one I can say didn't sound right or it didn't enhance the sound of the headphone. I still give my Fire Phoenix the nod for best sounding dac I have but this comes damn close but cost almost nothing..One of the biggest surprises for me this year by far.


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 10:30am
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post #5001 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberto01 View Post

 

A track with a bit depth of 24 bits can be played by a DAC that only plays 16 bit audio.  It just won't sound like a 24 bit deep track, but it will sound like a 16 bit deep track.  Regarding sampling rate (Hz), I don't know.

 

Also, in case that some conversion has to be made, you do not have to rip the music from your original sources again.  All you have to do is get the right software (there should be free options) to convert to a format that can work with your new DAC.

 

 

Sorry, I meant converting, not re-ripping :) but that also takes time :/

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dsnuts View Post

Oh damn. I don't know which actually sounds better with the Ele Dac. The MH1s or the XB90s. Lol. It is a toss up right now. If you guys own both it is a win win. The mids are even more pronounced on the XB90EX and even better detail using the Ele. But the sound is so smooth using the MH1C. More dynamics to your dynamics. Then I just threw on the XBA-3. Wow.. All 3 sound great. No loosers here. It is a win win win.

 

Bottom line guys. This little DAC is a marvel. I am not joking or kidding on this point. I read a review online of a similar product on another headphone site a bare bones version that is even cheaper and one of the admins was raving about how this little dac will and does sound 10X better than your on board sound.

 

Ya right I thought and that is the reason why I needed to hear this dac for myself. This thing if I didn't have one myself I would have never guessed how great this sounds..This sound fantastic on every single iem and headphone I have tried thus far. Not one I can say didn't sound right or it didn't enhance the sound of the headphone. I still give my Fire Phoenix the nod for best sounding dac I have but this comes damn close but cost almost nothing..One of the biggest surprises for me this year by far.

 

 

still, will wait for the hifiman... :D

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post #5002 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:41am

I currently have the Xonar DG as my pc sound card for music.. Is the Ele a decent/significant upgrade from that Ds?

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post #5003 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneoseven View Post

I currently have the Xonar DG as my pc sound card for music.. Is the Ele a decent/significant upgrade from that Ds?

I have never heard music from your card. I do own the Titanium HD with a Burr Brown PCM1794 which is a highly regarded Dac chip in the industry. I would say the sound from the Ele is comparable for music. Easily.. For $18 I would try one. why not..It is another option to get lost in your music and won't set you back so much.

 

Much like how headphones give out different sound signatures. These various DAC chips throw out different sound..I can safely say the Ele dac is a good one. A very solid good clean sound with no weakness in the acoustics what so ever. Again just astounding for how cheap this is.

 

I am willing to bet many of you guys that already own nice sounding dacs if you try this out. You are gonna wonder why you spent so much money on your nice sounding dacs. Lol.


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 10:53am
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post #5004 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:49am
Mine has shipped. Looking forward to it. :-)
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post #5005 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:50am

Very good point.. Ordering now.. Thanks =)

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post #5006 of 10028
11/22/12 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneoseven View Post

I currently have the Xonar DG as my pc sound card for music.. Is the Ele a decent/significant upgrade from that Ds?

I'm also wondering the same, because even though the sound card in my pc is just built in in motherboard, it is very clean, energetic and spacious. it gives the most enjoyable sound I've ever heard. even if the ele DAC is dirt cheap, I'd still wouldn't want to risk if there is little or no improvement from my current sound card...

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post #5007 of 10028
11/22/12 at 12:51pm

So after scowering this thread, can Dsnuts put the DAC name, description of what it does, and a link to buy it on his original post? This would make it easier to get to. Also, Does this DAC work as an amplifier like a Fiio? Or is it just signal conversion that should, in theory, make the music sound better but you still need to amp it if your headphones require it?

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post #5008 of 10028
11/22/12 at 1:00pm

DS, may i ask how speed is improved on the 3580 with these 2 cheap DACs?

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post #5009 of 10028
11/22/12 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhima View Post

So after scowering this thread, can Dsnuts put the DAC name, description of what it does, and a link to buy it on his original post? This would make it easier to get to. Also, Does this DAC work as an amplifier like a Fiio? Or is it just signal conversion that should, in theory, make the music sound better but you still need to amp it if your headphones require it?


IT is a DAC unit only and not an amplifier. You can hook up an external amp to it via 3.5mm male to male cord..I tried this with my Bravo tube amp and it sounds amazing. This would be a way of driving higher impedance cans using this Ele Dac.  However there is no need for me at least for an external amp. The volume is controlled via computer volume controls. So a very simple external sound card that by passes your on board sound which is usually not so awesome and while it can sound better with software. Having this little unit can enhance the sound proper using a nice burr brown PCM2704 chip..Something this cheap, one would figure it would have hiss or have issues. I have been using it ever since I got it and there is no noise at any volume using my most sensitive iems and so far has has flawless execution in enhancing every single headphone and earphone I have thrown at it. A very surprising achievement for a cheapo $18 dac.

 

I got this DAC literally yesterday so I will update the Op with info on the dac but first thing first. I am gonna get some Turkey legs happening with some Guinness Stout to wash it down with. So basically this one is more for the guys that use on board audio or for guys that are just curious how good a $18 sound card will sound compared to your other hardware..

 

Ebay is where this unit resides and is made by the Chinese. ELE Hifi USB DAC. Try one out..http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELE-EL-D01-MINI-HIFI-USB-DAC-SOUND-Audio-CARD-PCM2704-BOARD-ELNA-Capacitor-S-/300820518430?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460a4cd61e


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 1:29pm
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post #5010 of 10028
11/22/12 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zelda View Post

DS, may i ask how speed is improved on the 3580 with these 2 cheap DACs?


I will test this out for you tomorrow my friend I have to get ready for some Thanks giving stuff happening with the family.. 

 

This is what it should look like on the insides. Very simple unit.

700


Edited by Dsnuts - 11/22/12 at 1:31pm
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › The discovery thread.! NEW Jant71's take on the new ATH-CLR100 Pg 618.. Zero Audio Carbo Basso PG 601!!