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~Photos by me~
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 (External PSU) is a wonderful, simple, clean DAC/Amp that is easy to use.
I love things that just work. With the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2, it is just plug in and play. Simple.
No drivers to install, no programs to update. Just plug the power cord in and hook up the USB into your computer and you are good to go.
Within seconds, you are hearing clear music right through the DAC/Amp.
~ For all tech specs go to: http://hifimediy.com/DACs/usb-dac2 ~
Highlights of the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2:
*Value*
The biggest selling point of the Sabre USB DAC 2 is, well, its price. For just under $100 you get:
- Headphone TPA6138 driver
- A Jitter Eliminator.
- Sabre ES9023 dac chip
- USB (receiver) chip SA9023
*Build*
The materials and simple design help to keep the price down. It is light weight, REALLY surprisingly light. This can lead to the unit moving around easily when adjusting the volume. A simple fix (DIY) to keep it from moving is purchasing 4 rubber dots to place under the DAC/Amp to keep it from sliding around. The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 might not be pushed as a portable DAC/Amp, but because of its small size and light weight. I could see this being used for on the go, though you will need a wall plug once you get there. Also, can I say how much I LOVE a physical volume knob. It is the best way to articulate what volume you want your music at.
*Accessories*
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 does not come with any accessories, though you can purchase some from HiFimeDIY. Not including any accessories is great cost saving feature, because if you have a USB A B cord and/or compatible power source laying around, you don't even have to play for extras. Though the optional products from HiFimeDIY are inexpensive and work very well. Once accessory not mentioned on their site is you will need some sort of compatible audio adapter if you choice to use a earphone/headphone with a microphone.
*Sound*
Now lets get to the meat of this HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2, how it sounds. To put it simply, it sounds great for the price. After a night of burn in (yes for DAC/Amps too) I did a full test, finding that overall sound is clear and focused. Soundstage is larger than the FiiO E07K and it is quieter near the floor than the Creative E5. The only issue I found at low volumes is it can cause some channel imbalance, but we are talking about one click from zero, but returns to balance quickly going up the scale. At zero, full off, a faint amount of music can still be heard.
The Amp is powerful of driving headphones up to 250ohm. For myself, I did not have any issues with power, even just using a basic 12V 1A Power adaptor.
The Sabre ES9023 DAC is a wonderful, budget minded chip. Quality throughout the range can be heard. Soundstage like mentioned before is opened up. Even when I use my lower level IEMs/Earbuds, a noticeable difference in tonal balance can be heard.
I find the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 sound signature is one of neutrality. Not as warm as the FiiO E07K, nor as spiky as the Creative E5, somewhere in the comfortable middle.
*Overall Thoughts*
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 has brought new life to many of my old, unused headphones by bringing out new, clear and powerful tones. It has shown me a larger spectrum of my mid-grade IEMs and all pushed my high end gear farther than is has before. The HiFimeDIY unit does a lot, for so little. It pushes what a budget DAC/Amp is capable of, all while being easy on the pocket book. The price to quality ratio is extremely high. For under $100, being able to bring out more in all of my gear is quite a deal.
..
~Photos by me~
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 (External PSU) is a wonderful, simple, clean DAC/Amp that is easy to use.
I love things that just work. With the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2, it is just plug in and play. Simple.
No drivers to install, no programs to update. Just plug the power cord in and hook up the USB into your computer and you are good to go.
Within seconds, you are hearing clear music right through the DAC/Amp.
~ For all tech specs go to: http://hifimediy.com/DACs/usb-dac2 ~
Highlights of the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2:
*Value*
The biggest selling point of the Sabre USB DAC 2 is, well, its price. For just under $100 you get:
- Headphone TPA6138 driver
- A Jitter Eliminator.
- Sabre ES9023 dac chip
- USB (receiver) chip SA9023
*Build*
The materials and simple design help to keep the price down. It is light weight, REALLY surprisingly light. This can lead to the unit moving around easily when adjusting the volume. A simple fix (DIY) to keep it from moving is purchasing 4 rubber dots to place under the DAC/Amp to keep it from sliding around. The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 might not be pushed as a portable DAC/Amp, but because of its small size and light weight. I could see this being used for on the go, though you will need a wall plug once you get there. Also, can I say how much I LOVE a physical volume knob. It is the best way to articulate what volume you want your music at.
*Accessories*
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 does not come with any accessories, though you can purchase some from HiFimeDIY. Not including any accessories is great cost saving feature, because if you have a USB A B cord and/or compatible power source laying around, you don't even have to play for extras. Though the optional products from HiFimeDIY are inexpensive and work very well. Once accessory not mentioned on their site is you will need some sort of compatible audio adapter if you choice to use a earphone/headphone with a microphone.
*Sound*
Now lets get to the meat of this HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2, how it sounds. To put it simply, it sounds great for the price. After a night of burn in (yes for DAC/Amps too) I did a full test, finding that overall sound is clear and focused. Soundstage is larger than the FiiO E07K and it is quieter near the floor than the Creative E5. The only issue I found at low volumes is it can cause some channel imbalance, but we are talking about one click from zero, but returns to balance quickly going up the scale. At zero, full off, a faint amount of music can still be heard.
The Amp is powerful of driving headphones up to 250ohm. For myself, I did not have any issues with power, even just using a basic 12V 1A Power adaptor.
The Sabre ES9023 DAC is a wonderful, budget minded chip. Quality throughout the range can be heard. Soundstage like mentioned before is opened up. Even when I use my lower level IEMs/Earbuds, a noticeable difference in tonal balance can be heard.
I find the HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 sound signature is one of neutrality. Not as warm as the FiiO E07K, nor as spiky as the Creative E5, somewhere in the comfortable middle.
*Overall Thoughts*
The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 has brought new life to many of my old, unused headphones by bringing out new, clear and powerful tones. It has shown me a larger spectrum of my mid-grade IEMs and all pushed my high end gear farther than is has before. The HiFimeDIY unit does a lot, for so little. It pushes what a budget DAC/Amp is capable of, all while being easy on the pocket book. The price to quality ratio is extremely high. For under $100, being able to bring out more in all of my gear is quite a deal.
..
