[Cid]

I'm really interested in the Zhalou D2.5, but I'm really confused at which model I should get the D2.5A or the D2.5C. My headphones are HD595's and I'll be getting some AT's later in the year. I emailed the guys there and they said I should go for the the D2.5C, but I'm guessing they would say that considering it's more expensive.

What do you guys think?

 

[fran]

Aaaaagh that question will kill you!!

Just pick one and go with it cos its a matter of taste really AFAIK. I got the 2.5C because that CS chip is similar to the one in my eastsound CDP and I like the sound signature from that.

Its worth getting the headphone amp upgrade when you're buying $44 extra.

Fran

 

[Cid]

I'll just go with the 2.5C as well then.

I have always trusted the Irish.

When you say headphone amp upgrade are you talking about the one on the site? "Discrete Headphone Amp Module"

 

[d-cee]

matter of taste really

search up Jon L's comparisson, in a nutshell the AD chip sounds punchier and more crystalline, whereas the CS chip sounds a bit warmer and smoother

 

[Cid]

Well, that changes quite a bit in my decision then. I already think the HD595's sound smooth, so maybe I should go for the AD chip. It might help with my Japanese Pop? Dunno how some of my Video Game Music would sound with that though. Hard choice.

 

[d-cee]

sadly i dont think with 2.5 you can swap out DAC boards, D2.0 has this advantage

 

[udo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif sadly i dont think with 2.5 you can swap out DAC boards, D2.0 has this advantage

I think you can in 2.5, but who sells the boards?

 

[fran]

Yes, its the discrete headphone amp - but of course its only worth getting if you are going to use the headphone amp bit of it - a lot of people here use the zhaolu as a DAC only and never use the headphone amp bit.

I can't comment on the differences re AD vs CS, but I thought I remembered reading it the other way around, ir the AD is more warmer and smoother and the CS is more crisp. Ah I just can't remember now...... you might have to search. But whether its worth another $60 or whatever... I just don't know. I don't know how many people here have heard both, but I can't ever remember anyone saying "ugh, the AD chip is crap" so while the presentation might differ a bit, it seems that thats all your $60 is buying you if you go for the CS version.

As far as I'm aware you can't change the DAC board in the 2.5 the way you could in the 2.0.

Fran

 

[udo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fran /img/forum/go_quote.gif As far as I'm aware you can't change the DAC board in the 2.5 the way you could in the 2.0.

In the 2.5 it requires getting rid of a few screws and unplugging a few cables.
Then you can take out the DAC board.
After that you can put in the new DAC board, fasten it and attach the cables.
It is really easy.