If I may ask, why not use only your iPhone instead of buying an expensive DAP that has a DAC and AMP for transport use only?

This NOSDAC is only a third of the price of D16, even more of RS8. Seems a pure DAC though, no amp section. Would effectively be very interesting to have some info on it's sound vs other options on the market.

Just found one in the PB5 thread I had never heard anything about. The Analog Squared Paper NOSDAC Type 1. An interesting option but there doesn't seem to be much info-reviews about it.

A portable R2R DAC, wow, never heard about that one, interesting.

Thanks for this info, even though I don't really understand, haha, this is a great explanation of those two concepts. I believe there are two 1 bit DAC devices, the RU7 and the iBasso D16, both not very expensive devices like some R2R DACs. What's funny is even though according to your...

Hey thanks much CharlyBrown, I read Twisters review when it came out but didn't remember he covered this use case, my bad! Based on the feedback of a few people here I'm sure there are subtle positive differences when using a high end DAP as source instead of an iPhone. However I think a lot...

Wow, that's very nice of you Twister6 to provide such a custom comparo. In case you already tried that and by memory, would you say iPhone as transport vs DX260 would be a big loss in sound quality?

BRAVO iFi, finally a manufacturer that provides us a small form factor DAC that manages the USB connection directly for ultimate sound quality. We've had several discussion on the subject and I really think this is the way to go instead of telling us afterwards that we need to buy an external...

In my opinion reviews always need to be factual on functionalities and be the honest opinion of the reviewer on subjective things like sound. Whether it pleases or not the audience should never influence the reviewer. It is up to us consumers to read multiple reviews from multiple reviewers...

Hey anyone heard anything about the upcoming R2R module?

Ho, looks like PB5 will have some new competition! :beyersmile: Would be fun if D16 would also get some R2R competition from Cayin! :ksc75smile:

For a transportable device I wish they would have made the D16 a bit bigger to include similar electronics as in this Titanis so we would not have to multiply the boxes to get the best sound out of USB. Ho well, that's my eternal complaint and I certainly don't mean to bash iBasso with their...

I also have a Finale, didn't know there was a firmware to update, how do you find out version that is installed? Is there a readme with the changes included in the firmware? Thanks.

I have Meze Empyrean and Beyer Xelento, always use 3 tubes but I’m a lush tube sound fanatic. 😁

Agreed but C9 and PB5 are also pretty expensive with korg « fake » tubes and no dac! Anyway, the most important thing is WA8 sound great.

It may depend on the headphone synergy also. I have a different experience, I also have 3 different DACs and I find I prefer the sound when I use my MHDT Orchid, followed by iFi iDSD Finale. It's not like the sound using the internal ESS is not great, it is just not quite the type of sound I...

A good tube amp.

I've never been much in love with EH sound. The 6386 LGP is intriguing, it is expensive but a little cheaper than my current Phillips SQ E88CC/6922. I bought the Phillips based on reviews I read on the Tube Store and others. The SQ label is supposed to refer to Sound Quality. Not saying it's...

I've tried a few from that first-class list of tubes in my Orchid but I ended up going to the 6922 family with an adapter. Been using a Phillips SQ E88CC/6922 for several months. It sticks out quite a bit from the casing but the sound to me is the best I've had from my Orchid. Unfortunately...

It would be really fun if someone would have C9, PB5 and WOO WA8 for a direct compare using the same DAP.

Desktop rigs: MHDT Orchid, still in love with this after many years and original MHDT Paradisea used in a secondary system 2 Transportable DAC/AMP used in a stack because one as a great DAC and the other a great AMP: iFi iDSD Finale, for DAC duty with Woo WA8 for AMP duty

Hey thanks for this info, very useful. I also don't like so much ESS chip based DACs, I've tried a few and was never happy after a while. My preferred DAC for the last few years is an MHDT Orchid tube NOS DAC that is in the same price bracket as the Hifiman Serenade. Since that one uses the...

The folks at LTA used to sell MHDT tube DACs and I absolutely love my MHDT Orchid. If they were able to make a similar sound signature as the MHDT but much improved sounding then I will be mucho interested. Sound aside, would have been fun if Velo and Aero would shared a similar casing and...

Have you compared it to another DAC with your ha-3a? If so would be interesting to read your feedback. Thanks.