[nc8000]

Later generation scaled down for portable use consuming less power

 

[AndrewH13]

Are all us beta pigs from the first batch likely to receive the 'Despatched' email together, or is it more likely region or time ordered?

 

[Hobgoblinpie]

   
How does the DAC in the DX100 compare to the DX90? Is it a later generation Sabre or the same?

 
The DACs in the DX90 are designed for portable use, whereas the chip in the DX100 is designed for 'home' use. A single ESS9018 has better specifications than the 9018K2M, but the DX90 uses two, one for each channel. Theoretically, it should be equal to or better than the DX100 (in terms of DACs only). Jamato believes the DX90 also performs the same as or better than the DX100 elsewhere, and I do trust this, but I would like to hear it with my own ears!
 
EDIT: beaten to it.

 

[AndrewH13]

Later generation scaled down for portable use consuming less power

 
Thanks both, so sound would be expected to be roughly the same?

 

[theebag]

All right, pulled the trigger. Will compare it with the HDP-R10, using the W4R's, HD650, DT-1350's and a T1.

 

[AndrewH13]

People on the ball here! My question answered on an edit before I posted it

   Thanks, cant wait.

 

[AndrewH13]

  All right, pulled the trigger. Will compare it with the HDP-R10, using the W4R's, HD650, DT-1350's and a T1. 

 
Hope its good with the W4Rs as I've bought the W40s a month in advance of receiving my first DAP!   Well, first for 10 years.

 

[goodvibes]

   
The DACs in the DX90 are designed for portable use, whereas the chip in the DX100 is designed for 'home' use. A single ESS9018 has better specifications than the 9018K2M, but the DX90 uses two, one for each channel. Theoretically, it should be equal to or better than the DX100 (in terms of DACs only). Jamato believes the DX90 also performs the same as or better than the DX100 elsewhere, and I do trust this, but I would like to hear it with my own ears!
 
EDIT: beaten to it.

On paper a single old non 2m will still beat a pair of 2ms but both give exceptional #s and use similar topology.

 

[ClieOS]

   
The DACs in the DX90 are designed for portable use, whereas the chip in the DX100 is designed for 'home' use. A single ESS9018 has better specifications than the 9018K2M, but the DX90 uses two, one for each channel. Theoretically, it should be equal to or better than the DX100 (in terms of DACs only). Jamato believes the DX90 also performs the same as or better than the DX100 elsewhere, and I do trust this, but I would like to hear it with my own ears!

 
If it is the number game -
 
K2M only has 2 DAC cores on each chip (for stereo), so 2 K2M have a total of 4 DAC cores, for dual-mono setup. On a single full fledged 9018, there is already 8 DAC cores,which can do 8 channels output (i.e. 7.1ch setup), or like DX100, in a quad-mono setup (4 DAC decoding single channels). So with all things equal, 9018 should still beat K2M easily. Remember, K2M is actually more of a simplified 9018. When the Chinese smarphone maker BBK vivo went to ESS asking for a dumb down version of 9018 for portable use, ESS answered with the K2M by taking away 6 of the 8 DAC inside 9018.

 

[Hobgoblinpie]

   
If it is the number game -
 
K2M only has 2 DAC cores on each chip (for stereo), so 2 K2M have a total of 4 DAC cores, for dual-mono setup. On a single full fledged 9018, there is already 8 DAC cores,which can do 8 channels output (i.e. 7.1ch setup), or like DX100, in a quad-mono setup (4 DAC decoding single channels). So with all things equal, 9018 should still beat K2M easily. Remember, K2M is actually more of a simplified 9018. When the Chinese smarphone maker BBK vivo went to ESS asking for a dumb down version of 9018 for portable use, ESS answered with the K2M by taking away 6 of the 8 DAC inside 9018.

 
Ah, thanks for correcting me. I guess it will come down to how well they have been implemented in the DX90. Even so, for the price, I'm not going to complain.

 

[theosteopath]

I'm losing it waiting to get the shipping details- I have this terrible feeling I'll be rechecking EMS tracking every 30 minutes until it shows up. My current rig, which Ive been VERY happy with for some time, suddenly sounds totally inadequate- since I hit the 'place order' button. UGH!
 
-Andrew

 

[ATSCODE]

The DX90 is indeed a very tempting buy.
 
I have the DX50, but I'm weighing my options on my next significant DAP upgrade.
 
Having more impressions of the DX90 would definitely help my cause, as I'm also curiously waiting to see how the Calyx M fares.
 
The ZX-1 is also another strong contender.
 
Should they fail to satisfy me, there's always the AK240 (so far, I've seen nothing but raving reviews for it, apart from its pricing, of course) as a backup option.

 

[philiptw]

  I'm losing it waiting to get the shipping details- I have this terrible feeling I'll be rechecking EMS tracking every 30 minutes until it shows up. My current rig, which Ive been VERY happy with for some time, suddenly sounds totally inadequate- since I hit the 'place order' button. UGH!
 
-Andrew

I sympathise with you. Totally. 

 

[KT66]

I couldn't wait and got an 901 - game over for me for while at least - astonishing machine
 
I will keep an eye on the DX90 and may get one at Xmas, ie after you kind people have done 6 months of beta testing for me!

 

[Shawn71]

I guess you never learned your lesson lol.

LoL.