[size=10pt]I'm neither a journalist nor an audiophile expert, lets get that out the way. This is nothing more than a hobby for me, so please take my impressions and reviews in that regard. I offer my opinions from the perspective of an ordinary music lover and techy who invests a lot of time listening to and comparing different audio products, simply to satisfy my own personal curiosity, to extend my findings to the community at large, and not much more.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]On to the review...[/size]
 
 
[size=13.5pt]Rein Audio X-DAC Review[/size]
 
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[size=10pt]1. Intro[/size]
 
[size=10pt]I won't offer a long winded foray in to Rein Audio's company history or back story, other reviews have done this successfully already. All you need to know is that Rein Audio is a relatively new company, and this is the first DAC they've developed and made. As such, their reputation thus far has been largely un-contested, so the X-DAC is really a benchmark product for the company, and a potential barometer for things to come. [/size]
 
[size=10pt]Based on the DAC's design and capabilities (24/96 over USB and 24/192 over Optical/Coax etc), I thought I'd give the unit a try![/size]
 
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[size=10pt]2. Communications and service[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Near perfect. Besides Jason's slightly broken English, at times I felt like he was a machine that never slept! Despite the time zone differences, he never seemed to take longer than an hour or two to respond to my emails. Someone should check that Jason isn't actually a terminator or something lol.[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Upon ordering and paying for the items, the shipment was almost immediate (same day or two). Can't really get better than that. [/size]
 
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[size=10pt]3. Test set up[/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]Source and cables | [/size]
 

1. [size=10pt]Macbook Pro [/size][size=10.0pt](17" i7 version, fully loaded)[/size]
2. [size=10pt]Channel D - Pure Music [/size](Music player of choice, the most detail extraction, leaner more realistic vocals and imaging)
3. [size=10pt]Sonic Studio - Amarra [/size](Second choice if I want something a hair more musical. Fraction more bass and forward mids)

​
Please be aware, I'll be doing a full software comparison later including Pure Music, Amarra, Fidelia and Audirvana.
 

1. [size=10pt]Rein Audio Xignature RCA to Mini [/size](Sublime build quality, finish and packaging)
2. [size=10pt]Rein Audio Xignature Balanced Interconnects [/size](As above, simply stunning design and finish. Best I've seen on a cable)
3. [size=10pt]Mains Cables R Us No. 32 Mains Lead [/size](Gorgeous design and build, Furutech ended)
4. [size=10pt]Mains Cables R Us Custom Mains Lead [/size](More affordable but very well made)
5. [size=10pt]Fisual Pearl Mini to Toslink [/size](Super affordable. Well made and matches the Macbook design)

 
 
     
 
[size=10pt]Amps | [/size]
 

1. [size=10pt]Violectric V200 [/size](A smooth, ever so slightly musical behemoth)
2. [size=10pt]Epiphany / JDS O2 [/size](An affordable but potent neutrality master)

 
[size=10pt]Headphones | [/size]
 

1. [size=10pt]Beyerdynamic T1 [/size]
2. [size=10pt]Audeze LCD-2[/size]
3. [size=10pt]Denon D5000[/size]
4. [size=10pt]Fostex T50RP (modded)[/size]
5. [size=10pt]Westone 4 [/size]

 
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[size=10pt]4. Testing comments[/size]
 
[size=10pt]Real world differences |[/size]
 
One of the things I want to first get out the way is about the differences between products themselves. I am a firm believer that much in the audio world is grossly exaggerated or misconstrued. Through personal experience, among different headphones, amps, DAC's and so on, I find that, especially as the budgetary confines go up, differences among products are often subtle, limited or non existent. The law of diminishing returns hits harder in the audiophile world than most others, this is just something I've come to accept.
 
That is not to say the subtle differences might not have big impacts to your overall listening pleasure, or even the perception of it, just that in real world terms, everything discussed here should be taken on the account of a truly compulsive audiophile, and not a regular average joe.
 
[size=10pt]Testing tracks and procedures |[/size]
 
Following on from what I've written above, sometimes to get an accurate gauge of such differences, you have to test quite strictly. I won't name testing tracks, because I use literally hundreds depending on mood or what I want to test or look for, but I divide my listening in a number of ways.
 
Firstly, I'll listen to entire tracks, jotting down and noting which sounds etc stand out most with the set up, the overall feel and level of musical competency, then I'll A/B entire tracks with different set ups.
 
Add to that, I'll continue to A/B, but this time using 30, 20 and 10 second short snippets of the track. I find it easier to pin point specific differences in set ups with shorter clips of music. Lastly, if required, I will carry out A/B blind tests to see if my findings can be confirmed. This procedure is important, because I've found that at times it's very hard to blind test differences if you don't know what you're looking for.
 
On to the DAC itself...
 
 
     
 
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[size=10pt]5. Aesthetics, build and design[/size]
 
The Rein Audio gear arrived double packaged. Each item (X-DAC and cables) came encased in it's own superlatively sexy box (cardboard for the X-DAC and Wood/Metal for the cables). All black with foam inserts, branded inside and out. It exuded a feeling of luxury and class. The black boxes themselves came bubble wrapped, and as a nice freebie, some material woven, branded bags were thrown in too.
 
Upon opening the main box, the first thing that gets you is the weight and finish of the X-DAC. A cold, heavy, brushed stainless steel chassis looks and feels the part. The construction is solid, and the aesthetics help to extend the ethos of the build straight through to it's look and style. It's a simple, modern, no frills design. The odd bolt, panel and line giving it an industrial look. I personally love it's appearance. Compact and solid, but packing a good amount of connectivity.
 
Regarding it's physical design, I only have two negatives really. One being the volume and connection knobs. Though metal and offering a highly satisfying springy, but soft 'clunk' to them on turning, they do appear to have some sort of metallic laquer on them, this almost makes them look plastic. I would have preferred them to carry on the brushed stainless steel or chrome metal look from the rest of the chassis, only in silver.
The second are the LED lights on the front panel, though they work perfectly well, I'd have preferred them to be blue or red myself. Something about green is a tad too submissive and neutral to me. And lastly, though not a real complaint, I did prefer the RCA/COAX connectors from the older revision of the X-DAC, the one's that protruded out somewhat.
 
Overall though, build and design wise, it's near enough right on the money.
 
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[size=10pt]6. Sound quality and impressions[/size]
 
First off, the DAC is pretty much a plug and play affair. Plugged in to my Macbook Pro via either USB or Mini to Optical, the Mac picked it up automatically without the need for any driver installations or anything. All you have to do is make sure the right connection option is selected using the knob on the X-DAC's front panel. 24Bit/96kHz worked flawlessly with both USB and SPDIF, unfortunately I was not able to test 24/192 as the Macbook's SPDIF Out only allows for a maximum of 96kHz.
 
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Sound quality wise, this DAC can actually have a slight difference in sonic flavour depending on the connection you're using, more on that later, but if I had to describe it's overall sound in summary, I'd say the device brings an unbelievable amount of clarity, cleanliness and detail to music.
 
They're mainly subtle differences, in-fact, at first I was struggling to pin point specific changes introduced using the DAC. But if I could describe what it's done for my LCD-2's and T1's in layman's terms, it really has just swiped away any excess grain, noise or moodiness in place of some extra air and definition. As such, sounds have a bit more room to express themselves, while retaining all of the intrinsic sonic characteristics of the cans and amps.
 
The fundamental attribute of the X-DAC is neutrality and detail. It pushes these two things in abundance, but does so whilst retaining a natural and smooth quality. I do feel I'm able to pick macro details with greater ease now. I know it's cliche to say, but I actually do feel I'm able to either pick out more in my music, or at least find it easier to focus on specific parts of instrumentals with greater ease. On a few tracks during listening, I was rather baffled to notice a few new sounds.
 
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I mentioned earlier, the X-DAC can vary slightly in sonics depending on the connection used, so to give a more detailed and honest account of the DAC, I'm going to describe it's sound comparing both USB and Optical.
 
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[size=10pt]USB vs Optical |[/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]Now I know, in theory, they should sound exactly the same, because they are both digital, but based on my own listening tests I find them to sound slightly different. Maybe it's the way the Macbook Pro sends out the information, maybe it's the way the X-DAC collates or processes it, but after doing numerous A/B comparisons, I'm pretty sure they do sound different. So what are the differences that I can make out?[/size]
 
USB
 
[size=10pt]The X-DAC's USB implementation offers complete non coloured neutrality with utmost detail. [/size]Clean, without any grain or artificially peaked treble, no exaggerated low end, no overt forward mids or anything. It at least sounds like it just gives you an honest account of the rest of your gear and music. It could lean the tiniest bit towards the highs, but this could also just be the characteristics of the T1 coming through.
 
The downside to USB use, with the T1's at least, is that on rare occasion sibilance can creep through, and you might be tempted to yearn for a touch more sub bass, but again, I think these are merely the characteristics of the headphones coming through. With the LCD-2's, the X-DAC's USB implementation gives some much needed additional clarity to an otherwise slightly dark headphone.
 
[size=10.0pt]From the USB, compared to Optical, the sound is ever so slightly sharper and more airy. I also find the soundstage slightly more open. With e[/size][size=10pt]very single A/B track tested, compared to Optical, USB came out on top with just a fraction more width or space, for whatever reason. Now I know soundstage might not necessarily exist in the scientific sense, my prediction is that soundstage is often a product of the balance of different frequencies. From listening experience for example, I find a dip in low mids increases the illusion of sound stage, and excess sub bass decreases it.[/size]
 
Optical
 
[size=10.0pt]Through SPDIF the sound is slightly more intimate. Whilst I can't be certain, I think it might be due to a slightly more natural or softer sound, a tad more sub bass and ever so slightly more forward mids. In this sense, whilst the two are extremely similar, I'd say the SPDIF connection sounded a tad more musical or analogue like (despite being digital), and the USB connection to be ever so slightly more transparent and spacious, at least plugged in to the Macbook Pro anyway. [/size]
 
[size=10.0pt]That said, they both have pretty much equal macro detailing, it's just a smidgen easier to make out with USB, but the hairline details are definitely there with both. You could say that USB just has that touch of sheen whilst the SPDIF goes for a more natural gloss. I find the ever so slight boost in musicality and more natural tone, along with the very subtle extension in sub bass, to pair with the T1's especially well. Sublimely in-fact.[/size]
 
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[size=10.0pt]Which do I prefer? Hard to say. It's excellent that I have the choice to use both though. I just leave both plugged in to the back of the X-DAC and connect to the Macbook Pro depending on the sort of sound I desire. [/size]Currently, the majority of the time I'm listening via Optical, to me it's a touch more full sounding and fun. [size=10.0pt]In this regard I'm glad that the X-DAC does not have A[/size]synchronous[size=10.0pt] USB where Optical and USB sound identical. Variety as they say, is the spice of life. [/size]
 
I did contact Rein Audio to see what they had to say about my findings, and Jason responded, stating that the chips inside do offer different capabilities and that to him Optical was more "natural" and sounded closer to "Hi-Fi".
 
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[size=10pt]7. Comparisons to other devices[/size]
 
I don't have my NuForce Icon HDP or StageDAC to compare to any more, even then I had them only for a short time and paired with different amps, so it's very hard to say. What I will say is that the X-DAC to me at least sounds like it's a bit cleaner and more shrill or sibilance free than the others, namely the NuForce HDP, which to me bordered on bright at times. All the intricacies are there without the fatiguing sharpness up top.
 
Compared to not using a DAC at all (straight out of the iPhone or MAC, or via an LOD straight to an amp), the biggest difference again, is with the cleanliness of the signal and naturalism of sonics. Out of a phone, to be fair it still sounds fairly competent, it's just that it sounds obviously digital and recorded. There's subtle grain, shrill and a sort of metallic artificial resonance that makes it sound less real. All of that is remedied using the X-DAC. You'd be hard pressed to tell at times till directly A/B'ing. But using the X-DAC, you sound closer to actually being placed right in the performance and right beside the artist. Utmost transparency, with smoothness and air where at times, with certain tracks, you absolutely feel like you're right in the thick of it, in a live performance or studio. That grain or murkiness is lifted in place of out right magical realism.
 
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[size=10pt]8. Conclusion[/size]
 
I'll keep this short and sweet. As some of you may well know, recently I had a massive clearance sale of much of my beloved audio equipment, including amps, DAC's, headphones, cables etc, to save money towards a deposit for my first house purchase. One of the few items that I didn't put up for sale was the Rein Audio X-DAC. It's just that good.
 
Could it be cheaper? Definitely. It's still a fairly expensive DAC, and as recent admissions to the audiophile world have shown, sometimes cheap, can be just as effective as expensive. Then again, it's still more affordable than many, and offers sonic capabilities that in my opinion, could contend with some of the very best. In-fact, it's the best DAC I've personally yet heard. Couple that with the slight diversity of sound it offers among it's connections (in my book a positive), the solid build quality, compact and aesthetically competent design, along with it's decent foray of connectivity options, and it is in my opinion, a sure winner.
 
If you're in the market for a new DAC, this should definitely be added to the short list.
 
 
| Highly recommended |
 
 

 
 
For specs on the X-DAC, as well as purchase options and inquiries, see the official site.
http://www.reinaudio.com/X-DAC.html
 
If anyone has any specific questions or requests for me, just ask and I'll answer as best I can! Next review/comparison I'll be posting is of the T1 vs the LCD-2, and after that, the V200 vs O2!

Reserved.

Well done! Thorough, yet to the point. Can't wait to get my replacement motherboard so I have a coax (was not working, after all) to test the differences between the USB and coax.

Nice review Naim. I fully agree with your conclusions but personally i found the differences between usb etc to minimal to mention.
Job well done, I hope you can start building a new rig soon

Thanks
 
Also, that is quite interesting, because I found them to offer a noticeable, though still subtle difference. Enough for me to pick out in blind testing anyway. Did you carry out much A/B testing between the two connections?
 
Quote:

ultrainferno said:

Nice review Naim. I fully agree with your conclusions but personally i found the differences between usb etc to minimal to mention.
Job well done, I hope you can start building a new rig soon

Click to expand...

 

Some photo's of the X-DAC's innards!
 
  
 
 
 
And one showing just how thick the steel on the chassis is! Compared to the thickness of the iPhone 4S.
 

How can you write such a detailed review and not MENTION THE PRICE?  
 
Or am I just missing it? 

Rein Audio X-DAC (Digital to Analogy Convertor)

 
Price: $780.00
 

Rein Audio X3-DAC (Digital to Analogy Convertor)

 
Price: $1,280.00

The X3's price is temporary however, introduction price