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Audio-gd Compass 2 amp/DAC Impressions thread
Aug 15, 2014 at 5:42 PM Post #376 of 438
Okay, learning more and more here. Thanks for edjumicating me. Little confused, though: isn't the Compass supposed to be a high-end DAC with a decent amp? What's the point of adding a cheaper DAC like an iBasso in front of the Compass? I mean, you're still going over USB at some point. If I were to do that, would I have better luck pairing something like the iBasso with a dedicated amp like the Bottlehead Crack?
 
I'll probably just order the Tenor USB upgrade at some point (provided shipping is reasonable).
 
Aug 15, 2014 at 9:03 PM Post #378 of 438
auvgeek said:
  Okay, learning more and more here. Thanks for edjumicating me. Little confused, though: isn't the Compass supposed to be a high-end DAC with a decent amp? What's the point of adding a cheaper DAC like an iBasso in front of the Compass? I mean, you're still going over USB at some point. If I were to do that, would I have better luck pairing something like the iBasso with a dedicated amp like the Bottlehead Crack?
 
I'll probably just order the Tenor USB upgrade at some point (provided shipping is reasonable).
Click to expand...

 
I don't use the D7's DAC, just its SPDIF output.  It is a USB-to-SPDIF converter and can double as a simple USB DAC with headphone amplifier.
Compass, even the Compass 2, isn't truly high-end, but it is good enough to show you what you've been missing out on versus soundcards and portable media players.
I bypass the Compass' amp with a KICAS headamp (discontinued).
 
On an unrelated note, I don't want vacuum tubes in my equipment again.  Cute gimmick, but not my cup of tea, unless we're talking about a hardware VA synth - tube distortion is best done by a real tube.
 
Aug 15, 2014 at 10:02 PM Post #379 of 438
Kingwa's USB implementation since he started to do 32/384 is pretty killer, I wouldn't call it 'limited' by most means. On a related note, http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DI2014/DI2014EN.htm just appeared on the products page (perhaps I'm late to the game on this)... but I don't think you'd want to or need to spend that much.
 
Aug 20, 2014 at 12:47 PM Post #380 of 438
Yeah, but that's more than I paid for the DAC itself! I'll probably upgrade to one of his or Yulong's higher-end DACs (with USB anti-jitter) when I finish grad school in 3-4 years.
 
The Compass sounds noticeably better (warmer) with a mini-optical to optical connection than with the USB. Pairs very nicely with the DT880, which sounded a little too bright/treble-heavy with the USB. Total system cost (excluding the laptop) was $380. Not sure I could have done much better for the money.
 
Oct 9, 2014 at 9:44 AM Post #382 of 438
The WM8741 and ES9018 add on options have disappeared from the compass2 page.  If we buy Wolfson based then there is no custom option for Sabre add on card and if we buy Sabre based then there is no custom option for Wolfson add on card.
Has anyone else noticed ?
 
Oct 11, 2014 at 5:03 AM Post #383 of 438
Maybe there are supply issues atm? I would hope they're not being phased out richbass - you could always drop them an email as they will respond without a doubt.
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 7:34 AM Post #386 of 438
falconetti said:
Planning to buy T70 or T90 headphones paired with the Compass 2.

Go with the ES9018 version and try WM8741 later, or vice versa ?
Click to expand...

If they are a warmer sounding headphone, then the ESS chip. If they are bright then the WM.
If they are neutral, then the ESS will make them slightly brighter while the WM chip will make them slightly warmer.
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 1:10 PM Post #387 of 438
conquerator2 said:
If they are a warmer sounding headphone, then the ESS chip. If they are bright then the WM.
If they are neutral, then the ESS will make them slightly brighter while the WM chip will make them slightly warmer.
Click to expand...

 
 
Anyone know the cost for the DA modules if you buy them separately? I'm mainly interested in the cost for the ESS and WM modules.
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 1:14 PM Post #388 of 438
falconetti said:
   
 
Anyone know the cost for the DA modules if you buy them separately? I'm mainly interested in the cost for the ESS and WM modules.
Click to expand...

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/Compass%202/Compass2EN.htm
 
I believe they're all 25$ + shipping.
 
Oct 19, 2014 at 1:35 PM Post #390 of 438
falconetti said:
   
So what is the point of buying the Compass 9018 for USD499, when you can buy the Compass 384 for USD399 and then add both the ESS and WM for 25USD/each for a grand total of 449 USD, and have all swapable DA modules?
Click to expand...

I believe the cheapest $399 PCM5102 does not allow for swapping, or at least it didn't initially. The 449$ WM4841 doesn't seem to be available anymore, so the $499 ES9018 is the one that certainly allows it... Not sure about the PCM one but I really do believe that there's a slightly different design and thereby does not allow DAC swapping... But I may be wrong.
 
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