Tiny DAC, Big Sound – Impression of Stoner Acoustics UD100 vs. ODAC - Page 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdsu 

But these DAC's seems to be fine for headphones that have impedance < 32 Ohms, right?

Low impedance headphones are harder to drive for sources that have a low current limit and/or high output impedance. If the device was only designed to drive line inputs with kΩ range impedance, then you may also get increased distortion, or rolled off bass (if there are output capacitors that are too small for a low impedance load).

They are developing a new desktop DAC soon, cant wait!

using ES9018 chips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomkid 

They are developing a new desktop DAC soon, cant wait!

 

using ES9018 chips.

I'm pretty sure that is the chip in the Peachtree Nova dac - which is a fine sounding dac.

My UD100 just arrived, it took 9 days to get here. Not bad!

I'll post my thoughts when I decide on an amp to pair it with.

How can i buy one?.. I am based in india..

Can i connect it to an all analog integrated amp viz Marantz PM6004. for output from digital sources such as a PC ?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunilk 

How can i buy one?.. I am based in india..

Just email Stoner Acoustics: http://www.blogger.com/profile/04218285429523923288

my UD100 with DIYed case

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraGGleR 

 

Hmm.  Hard to say.  I have an ODAC that is cased up by itself with RCA outs which I really like, as it stacks nicely with my O2.  The UD100 is better for travel since it is the size of a thumbdrive.  If I could only have one instead of both, I think I would still take the ODAC, due to the slightly better soundstage and separation, and very much due to the form factor for my particular listening habits.  I am at a desk nearly all day long so a portable setup isn't a priority.  Roughly $100 separating the two, and while   the ODAC definitely isn't 3x or even 2x better when you look at the price, the money was worth it for me to have the desktop implementation.  I still need to do more critical listening tests to really get a feel for the UD100 vs ODAC vs HDP (which has a differnt Sabre DAC chip in it IIRC) differences.  

 

That being said, I am still surprised by how dynamic and fun the UD100 paired with my Cmoy sound.  

 

BTW, this is what my UD100 looks like now:  

 

Can you do more detail comparison between U100, Odac and HDP?

I was just a newbie when I was last active around these parts but I'm getting back into this, sorry wallet!

With that said, I was pretty decided on the ODAC+O2 for my first DAC and amp, until I found this thread. Having read through every page and reading that the UD100 sounds very similar to the ODAC, I'm leaning towards this now, especially with the price difference.

I'm most likely going to get mahogany cups for my SR80i's and a new cable (stock cable is broken), then in a few months replace the stock drivers with Magnums.

Having read that the UD100 measures very well against the ODAC, who's focus is all about measurements, along with the lower price and size, it's got me sold. I'm a sucker for the color yellow and the UD100 in yellow heatshrink looks awesome to me too.

The only other two candidates for me are the iBasso D7 and the HifiMeDiy Sabre USB DAC - only because they can handle 24/96.

I'm pretty set on the amp if I don't get the D7, which would the cmoyBB 2.03 - customized for low impedance headphones. I really don't think I'll be needing anything more powerful because my hearing isn't the greatest in the world and I don't think my Grado's need anything more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurfWax 

 

 

I'm pretty set on the amp if I don't get the D7, which would the cmoyBB 2.03 - customized for low impedance headphones. I really don't think I'll be needing anything more powerful because my hearing isn't the greatest in the world and I don't think my Grado's need anything more.

UD100 + cmoyBB + SR80 = pretty awesome budget rig! I'm glad you're thinking sensibly. A lot of people that are new to the game don't choose the budget underdog but go straight for the high profile Head-Fi advertisers. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Negakinu 

 

UD100 + cmoyBB + SR80 = pretty awesome budget rig! I'm glad you're thinking sensibly. A lot of people that are new to the game don't choose the budget underdog but go straight for the high profile Head-Fi advertisers. 

Agreed.  My breadboarded cmoy and UD100 are an incredible budget setup and can do most people quite well until they start chasing that upper maybe 20% that gets spread out over hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of upgrades (perceptions of a low-mid fi guy).  Really, I think it is the strength of the Saber DAC chip.  It seems that all three levels of its implementation are quite good values.  

Thanks guys, you're only solidifying my decision even more. I've had my 80i's for close to 3 years now, maybe 4....I've always ran them unamped out of my MBA and iPhone and loved them, but I can hear my USB port is noisy, but yea, thats why I know I don't need some expensive amp.

I might wreck my wallet though and splurge on a used RS1 in a few months instead of frankensteining my 80i's.

Hi there! Is it just plug and play or do you install any software for the UD100? (just received mine in South Africa)