[DjBobby]

You think that this dac is good in a desktop setup with a dedicated headphone amp? Or is it better for portable and get something else for desk use?

It's incredibly good value for the money, you can easily use it as a desktop source with a dedicated headphone amp.
The only caveat is it that it was not meant to be used like a desktop dac. It doesn't have separate line out with a dedicated analog output circuitry but it is all-in-one dac SABRE9018Q2C.
You can read the dac's specs here: http://esstech.com.tw/PDF/SABRE9018Q2C PB v0.8 141210.pdf
A typical desktop dac has a dac chip and more or less sofisticated analog output circuitry, using either opamps or a discrete design. If you have a chance, than I would rather go for a grown up desktop solution and use iDEA for portable.

 

[FastAndClean]

 

[FastAndClean]

the differences with the dragonfly 1.2 are small, the dragonfly overall sound warmer with more body, the sabaj sound cleaner and more precise but the difference is small

 

[FastAndClean]

i am making some tests with high quality files now and is obvious that the sabaj is superior to the dragonfly, the bass is a lot more detailed, there is new layer of texture, mids are not warm but cleaner and more open, the treble is more airy and the sound is more effortless overall

 

[FastAndClean]

It drives my HifiMan HE500 without any problems, i have magni 2, i know is cheap but on my tests right now it seems very transparent and i cant detect any changes from the dac direct and the dac with the magni, the changes are only when i switch to the dragonfly

 

[FastAndClean]

after more testing this time with etymotic er4s the dac sound better direct in comparison to the dac and the magni 2, i finally made it bit perfect

 

[wushuliu]

You think that this dac is good in a desktop setup with a dedicated headphone amp? Or is it better for portable and get something else for desk use?

The Sabaj Da2 is excellent for a desktop. The Da3 is even better. The money you spend on a more expensive desktop dac can be used for something like the iFi iDefender to improve sound quality. The Idea/Da2 and especially the Da3 compete with any <$500 desktop dac I have heard, and I've heard a lot.

 

[udd3n]

The Sabaj Da2 is excellent for a desktop. The Da3 is even better. The money you spend on a more expensive desktop dac can be used for something like the iFi iDefender to improve sound quality. The Idea/Da2 and especially the Da3 compete with any <$500 desktop dac I have heard, and I've heard a lot.

Sounds good. I ended up ordering the Topping D10 though for connecting to my Arcam rHead on my desktop setup.

 

[SounDenthusias]

I am a mere enthusiast with little knowledge and limited access to audio equipment. The only thing I can say is that the IQ gives me the closest and most "balanced" delivery of music to my ears I am expecting and have experienced in the last 20 years if that makes sense.
(I should add that I only use portable devices and iems)

Of course that's completely subjective and your expectations might differ to what else you have/had access to or your personal tastes.

My most "recent" equipment was mentioned in my post, so I can't help comparing with the one you cited

Can you confirm if it works with phones?

 

[koziakauzu]

Can you confirm if it works with phones?

It works with my Xperia phone (usb-c / Oreo), cannot confirm with others ... but it supposed to be a portable DAC so it should work with most phones (I believe there are always few exceptions when it comes to android). Package came with 2 mini cables; micro-usb to micro-usb and micro-usb to usb-c. Can't say about iDevices.

Edit: there is an option in the settings to switch between usb1.1 and usb2.0 transmission, supposedly to increase compatibility with Android and Linux.

 

[SounDenthusias]

It works with my Xperia phone (usb-c / Oreo), cannot confirm with others ... but it supposed to be a portable DAC so it should work with most phones (I believe there are always few exceptions when it comes to android). Package came with 2 mini cables; micro-usb to micro-usb and micro-usb to usb-c. Can't say about iDevices.

Edit: there is an option in the settings to switch between usb1.1 and usb2.0 transmission, supposedly to increase compatibility with Android and Linux.

So i bought it and i can only barely hear it at max everything on my phone. I have a Droid Turbo 2. This happens every time. Im getting a new phone soon, what phone works, do you know why your sony works, unfortunately I cant get a sony experia. ****. Im going to use it for my speakers for the time. But it was portable for a reason yknow?

 

[koziakauzu]

So i bought it and i can only barely hear it at max everything on my phone. I have a Droid Turbo 2. This happens every time. Im getting a new phone soon, what phone works, do you know why your sony works, unfortunately I cant get a sony experia. ****. Im going to use it for my speakers for the time. But it was portable for a reason yknow?

Hmmm... i set my volume between 7 and 10 (max is 25 or 30? I forgot) on the IQ. Did you check the volume on the phone itself? It is related if you don't use a specific app for USB audio output.
I'm using "Onkyo HF Player" app from Google Playstore - it should handle USB DAC better if you haven't tried that. ( they have a free version, or you can get a "USB Player Pro" demo from another dev)

 

[TheGame21x]

(Click the above Image to view larger size)

The Sabaj DA3 is a really good sounding piece of equipment, in both desktop (as a standalone DAC feeding a more powerful amp) and portable (like above or with a laptop) settings. It doesn't have a ton of output power, even if you opt to use the 2.5mm balanced port but for low impedance, high sensitivity loads like the Massdrop Plus IEM I have pictured there, it's a satisfyingly powerful setup that sounds great. I've had the DA3 for a while and it's a great performer, no matter what I've thrown at it so I'm very pleased with it for the $96 or so I spent on Amazon.

 

[DJRSP]

Did Apple finally cut support to the third party cables?

I have the FiiO L19 cables which were working with my iDea and iPhone X just last month but after a string of new updates, doesn't appear to work anymore.

Will check with my iPad as well

However the camera kit cable does work with th iDea

 

[cash1489]

So i bought it and i can only barely hear it at max everything on my phone. I have a Droid Turbo 2. This happens every time. Im getting a new phone soon, what phone works, do you know why your sony works, unfortunately I cant get a sony experia. ****. Im going to use it for my speakers for the time. But it was portable for a reason yknow?

Yes it seems like Moto does some weird things with their phones...I tried a Zorloo ZuperDAC-S (same ESS SABRE chipset) on an old moto G and it didn't work either...I read somewhere that someone was able to get it to work by putting a USB OTG cable between the phone and the DAC. You can try that if your phone has a Micro USB connection. I plan to give it a try when I get a chance just for kicks...