I'm starting to prefer ESS implementations over AKM, as far as the cheaper and more portable DACs go, because details and immersive instruments/vocals can make tracks sound more intimate and out of this world. I love how with a really detailed output, you can elaborately hear a dive bomb from a...

I kind of miss ESS based dacs with their hyper detailed sound, because listening to so much detail makes the track sound like a whole other recording, like a different perspective on how you once listened to certain songs.

I think that design limitations could also affect dac performance for each chip model. In other words, each chip only allows specific board and power supply designs that will result in a bias to certain sound signatures.

You could try another DX1 unit, and see if there is a difference in soundstage. I have multiple dacs of the same model (usually for backup reasons, in case of the failure of one, or general wear), and found two of the same model can sound a little different from each other in some, or, a lot...

I suspect CL-based chips tend to be a balance between warm and clinical, like extensive smooth lows and crispy highs, with slightly anemic but well presented lower-mids, slight lack in the mid-bass?

The 03PRO are the only ones I've had. I heard about the 06 being really good.

There's so many ESS and AKM devices out there, but I'd have to say, the CS43131 beats the other ones in the same price range that I've personally tried, in some regards, however, there are so many dongles out there in a similar vein and price range that I haven't tried. My only problem is, I'm...

Take that into account for people who reviewed it, and either liked or didn't like that dac, but there's some tolerances between units, plus, the people's brains interpreting each sound profile differently. Think of all the dacs out there with great specs but people either love or hate them for...

I agree, look at my most recent post on the new iBasso DC03Pro. Two of the same exact device with quite a nuanced sound impression. I'm not even sure which one in my possession is supposed to sound "right" out of the factory.

Nothing I purchased still has beaten my original PS1 (old as me) with the old AKM inside. It either came close in some regard, but never the entire character, to my ears.

Basically, just the CS43131, because of its low-power draw, and clean output, afaik. I'm currently listening with iBasso DC03PRO; its really good, especially for PC game imaging, imo, but needs good musical headphones/equipment for synergistic enjoyment, since it's not completely fun, immersive...

We literally were talking about different implementations... Going on about everything you just said in detail would just make it long and drawn out, and not matter that much anyway from an informative point of view, since it's not something "most" are going to properly narrow down throughout...

I had the RU6 for a short time. I liked the instrument timbres, but I did not like the overly smooth lower-end, erratic volume changes throughout the tracks, like someone was messing with a knob, and something about the quality felt kinda compressed and speared, looking back. It did have a...