Singxer SDA-2

New Level Of Awesome - Singxer SDA-2 Balanced DAC / Headphone AMP











SDA-2 from Singxer is the Next Level of a Midrange DAC/AMP with balanced XLR outputs at the back, Hi-Res processing, a Balanced Headphone Output, and a price of 700 USD. It will get compared to the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+, M2Tech Young MK III, and Denafrips Ares II. For the pairings part of this review, I went with Headphones, but really good ones, including iBasso SR-2, Kennerton Thror and HIFIMAN Arya.

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Introduction





Singxer is not a new company, but a pretty well-established one with a history. The ones who got their products have always been quite impressed, and everyone who owns a product from them seems to love them. Nonetheless, everyone whop ever interacted with them had only good things to say about them including me. They provide quick and reliable service, they have a nice selection of products and despite being from china, their products arrive quickly and in excellent condition to their customers.





It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Singxer. I'd like to thank Singxer for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Singxer SDA-2 Balanced DAC / Headphone AMP find their next music companion.











Packaging





First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:























I'm happy to unbox the Singxer SDA-2. I am simply smiling while doing this, because it comes with a really nice-looking cable, and I've been missing one for a while now.





There's a way to configure the settings of the SDA-2, as it has switches on the bottom, and it even comes with a remote, making the whole thing awesome, and rock the hardest I've seen in the past few reviews I posted.











Technical Specifications





Output level (0dBFS):
PCM: RCA single-ended output is 2V RMS, XLR balanced output is 4V RMS
DSD: RCA single-ended output is 1.8V RMS, XLR balanced output is 3.6V RMS
Output impedance: 22 ohms (RCA single ended) / 44 ohms (XLR balanced)
Frequency response: 20-20kHz +/-0.2dB
Signal to noise ratio: 125dB
Distortion characteristics:
THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00025% at fs=44.1Khz (PCM)
THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00030% at DSD256
Dynamic response (1kHz, -60dBFS) 125dB
Left and right channel separation >125dB
Balanced output noise floor: 2.2uv RMS


Amp balance maximum output power 3480mW@30Ω, 0dBFS


Load power
30Ω 3480mW
75Ω 1640mW
150Ω 920mW
300Ω 440mW
600Ω 220mW


Distortion of the amp balanced output, 0dBFS, fs=44.1Khz (PCM)
75Ω load THD+N -105dB
600Ω load THD+N -110dB



System compatibility:
1, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10; 32/64 bit, need to install a dedicated driver
2, Native MacOS 10.6 and later, using the system comes with a driver
3, Native Linux with UAC2 compliant kernel, using the system's own driver, (tested on Ubuntu and Daphile systems, based on INTEL X86 platform)
4, Android OS 4.2 and above, the device needs to support OTG function, and the following 5.0 recommendations are used with a dedicated player.


The I2S interface is input using an HDMI socket:
1. LVDS differential signal with a level of 3.3V;
2. The I2S interface is compatible with multiple I2S output signal definitions, and the FPGA has built-in PCM/DSD signal automatic identification algorithm;
3. The DSD ON signal can also be defined by itself. The DSD ON signal can be input to the PIN13, 14, 15, and 16 pins of the socket.
4. The phase of PIN1-3 and PIN7-9 is adjustable, and the user can configure the phase of the two pairs of outputs through one switch.
Weight: 3.4kg











Video Review

















Build Quality/Aesthetics/Functionality





The body of the SDA-2 is nice, but it comes with a little display, as well as a series of buttons at the front. There's a Headphone Output at the front too, but it is in either Balanced 4-Pin XLR or 6.3mm shape, and it has the speaker / computer selection at the back.





It can take in USB, optical, Coaxial, I2S, and even AES. The power delivery is handled by a cattle plug, next to which it has a fuse and an on/off switch.











The Speaker output comes in the shape of either XLR cables, or a pair of gold plated RCA outputs. The XLR outputs tend to sound a bit better, but the cables used for this connection tend to be different, and the channel processing it may be designed slightly different on most of the AMPs I tested it with, so this may contribute to the differences.





The unit has thick feet with rubber on the bottom so it doesn't slide on your desk, and it doesn't get hot during usage. I wouldn't stack something above it, but since for Stereo systems it will be a DAC, it won't get hot.











I loved the fact that it has a ton of driving power, and that it is silent. The USB input is dead silent, you don't need iFi iDefender or iFi iPurifier to clean the USB cable input and enjoy the SDA-2. It is helped a bit by power conditioners like the BAC400 from Plixir, but the power delivery stage is really good already, so I'm happy to report you don't need to think too much about the inputs.





The volume wheel at the front is a digital controller, so it can turn indefinitely, and the buttons at the front are used to make minor changes. The buttons on the belly of the unit are used to make serious adjustments to it, but you can switch between the filters with ease. The filters are pretty interesting and make a change to the sound. We have Sharp, Slow, S-Sharp, S-Slow, NOS and Low-Dispersion. They mostly affect the way instrument textures are presented.











All in all, everything is plug-and-play, there were no issues, no bugs, and it worked with every computer I tested it with. The Optical input doesn't take into account what the source is, as long as it is optical, and the same goes for Coaxial.











Sound Quality





The sound of the SDA-2 from Singxer can be described as effortless, clear, musical, smooth in textures and treble, but detailed and airy.











The bass is presented a smidgen wartm, and it has very little coloring, but it has a smooth texture that's pleasing to the ear. There's an amazing detail to be found with SDA-2, and multiple basslines are no trouble for it. Even better, songs that have a large amount of bass, and with a lot of distortion on guitars still sound really detailed and crispy, without becoming boomy or boring. I appreciate SDA-2 a lot as it is in the price range where things start to get interesting. It is the most affordable unit that makes it a delight to listen to complex music, and going for some Dream Theatre is a totally engaging and captivating experience.





With songs from more rough bands like Linkin Park or Thousand Foot Krutch, I can hear a beautiful juicy midrange, excellent presentation for voices. Guitars are portrayed colorful, vivid, and slightly romantic, yet the soundstage is expansive and goes both wide and deep. For the price range, it has a natural presentation for everything, without forgetting detail. It makes you appreciate how it blends information with musicality, how you hear details in songs, but guitars don't become scratchy.





The treble is slightly smooth and not the most intrusive. It works really well for Jazz, Classical, Rock and the only music style where it doesn't fully compliment it is Metal, as there we need a bit more sparkle and excitement. It brings as much beauty to a headphone, when used via the headphone output as it does when integrating it in a Hifi system as the main DAC. I prefer listening to SDA-2 with both music that's supposed to sound large (ensembles, live concerts), but also with intimate music (room music, downtempo, pop).











Comparisons





I'm afraid this review was always going to be a bit hard to take, but we need to compare the Singxer SDA-2 to Denafrips Ares II, which is dangerously close in terms of pricing. M2Tech Young MK III also makes a good comparison, and the DAC+ from Mytek is also a worthy competitor.











Don't forget that if you want a new comparison you can always leave a comment and I'll be doing my best to help!





Singxer SDA-2 vs M2Tech Young MK III (680 USD vs 1500 USD) - The first comparison is easy, because the signatures of the two are so different, yet the features are better on SDA-2. I mean, it comes with a fairly potent headphone amplifier, it has a similar design, but much better overall ergonomics. Young MK III sounds wider, but lacks depth, and it is quite bright / analytical, lacking the naturalness of SDA-2. Despite being much cheaper, SDA-2 works better for most music, unless you have a really warm / thick sounding system where Young MK III would be a better fit. Young MK III has better detail.





Singxer SDA-2 vs Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ (680 USD vs 2200 USD) - Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ has a similar feature set to SDA-2, except it lacks the balanced headphone output, and requires a very rare and complicated cable to use its two headphones outputs as a balanced output. The good part is that despite this, it is warmer and slightly thicker, more meaty and authoritative than SDA-2. The difference in price doesn't reflect the difference in quality, and although DAC+ is better, it isn't more than three times better, and SDA-2 is more convenient, since it would leave enough money for a good speaker setup, or for a really good headphone, like HIFIMAN Arya.





Singxer SDA-2 vs Denafrips Ares II (680 USD vs 800 USD) - Ares II is the biggest competitor, at the closest price, but it lacks some of the key features that make SDA-2 what it is. The most important two are the remote, which I find essential for a lazy couch potato, and the other one is the headphone output, which is actually quite excellent on SDA-2. Ares II is softer, more natural and has the characteristic sound of R2R, where SDA-2 has a more precise sound, with more punch, and is wider. Ares II is deeper and has more musicality, at the cost of impact.











Pairings





The main pairings in terms of headphones are with Kennerton Thror, HIFIMAN Arya, and iBasso SR-2. There's enough power in SDA-2 to also drive Mr. Speakers Aeon Flow, or Audeze LCD-MX4, but with IEMs, it tends to have some hissing in the background that's fairly audible. Especially with hiss sensitive IEMs like Campfire Atlas, FiiO FA9, or even with Acoustune HS1650CU, I can hear the background noise level.











It is pretty clear that SDA-2 was designed with large, hard-to-drive headphones in mind, regardless whether we talk about Dynamics with high impedance, or planars with low SPL.





Singxer SDA-2 + Kennerton Thror (680 USD + 3000 USD) - Throat is the first headphone I recommend with SDA-2, both because it has enough power to drive and control them properly, but also because the natural, slightly warm sound of SDA-2 pairs nicely with Thror. In fact, once you adjust thror to your head, SDA-2 gives it a very controlled, quick and deep bass that's surely welcome when you know their clear, clean and precise sound.





Singxer SDA-2 + HIFIMAN Arya (680 USD + 1600 USD) - Arya is the second headphone, because I already love it a lot, even when driven from a FiiO K5 PRO. This being said, Arya is detailed and appreciates a fairly detailed source, so the pairing with SDA-2 is totally worth it. The detail is nice, the midrange is warm and musical, while the treble is smooth and airy. The bass is deep, clear and clean.





Singxer SDA-2 + iBasso SR-2 (680 USD + 500 USD) - SR-2 is a new headphone for me, but one that totally won me over by providing a beautiful sound, great comfort, and lots of detail for a natural-sounding can. The pairing with SDA-2 works well because it has enough bass to make them rattle, yet a natural and gentle midrange that brings musicality with SR-2 to a new level.











Value and Conclusion





Honestly speaking, the value of SDA-2 is amazing. It has the performance to make me think that it is in line with really expensive DACs, it has a good price, tons of features, and can drive both Headphones and a Hifi System.











The package is awesome, and it even comes with a remote to control it, along with a USB Cable, that's pretty cool.











In terms of build, it has good control via buttons, a volume wheel, XLR outputs, two headphone outputs, a mute button on the volume wheel, and has four inputs, including Coax, Optical and USB. I can safely call this a full plate, and it has and does everything it could for the price, being perfect regardless whether you're a headphone or a hifi stereo system guy.











The sound is natural, slightly smooth, but blends detail with musicality nicely, and it has good dynamics, an airy presentation, and even good reach in both bass & treble.











At the end of today's review, if you're looking for a Balanced DAC / Headphone Amp with both XLR, RCA and 6.3 mm single ended outputs, that comes with a remote, has USB, Coax, Optical inputs, and which can drive even the mighty Arya from HIFIMAN, all while handling your stereo system, Singxer SDA-2 is totally recommended and an excellent purchase at the moment of making this review.








--- Please remember to stay safe, and always have fun while listening to music!---











Full Playlist used for this review





We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality are all revealed by those songs. We recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music!





Youtube Playlist





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Tidal Playlist





https://listen.tidal.com/playlist/64555551-ec3c-4279-ae44-248fdfcf6c4b





I hope my review is helpful to you!

Firsty I would like to thank Singxer for sending me this sample for review.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Gear Used:

PC > SDA-2 > HiFiMAN HE500 / multiple IEM’s / Final D8000 and more.
TV > SDA-2 > Rotel RB-06 > B&W 606



Tech Specs:
Sample rate supported by each input interface:
PCM: 44.1KHz,48KHz,88.2KHz,96KHz,176.4KHz,192KHz,352.8KHz,384KHz
DSD: 2.8 MHz (DSD64) – DoP,native
5.6 MHz (DSD128) – DoP,native
11.2 MHz (DSD256) – DoP,native
22.5792 MHz (DSD512) – native
Bit width: Up to 32 bit over I2S output
Up to 24 bit over S/PDIF

Output level (0dBFS):
PCM: RCA single-ended output is 2V RMS, XLR balanced output is 4V RMS
DSD: RCA single-ended output is 1.8V RMS, XLR balanced output is 3.6V RMS
Output impedance: 22 ohms (RCA single ended) / 44 ohms (XLR balanced)
Frequency response: 20-20kHz +/-0.2dB
Signal to noise ratio: 125dB
Distortion characteristics:
THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00025% at fs=44.1Khz (PCM)
THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00030% at DSD256
Dynamic response (1kHz, -60dBFS) 125dB
Left and right channel separation >125dB

Balanced output noise floor: 2.2uv RMS

Amp balance maximum output power 3480mW@30Ω, 0dBFS
Load power
30Ω 3480mW
75Ω 1640mW
150Ω 920mW
300Ω 440mW
600Ω 220mW

Distortion of the amp balanced output, 0dBFS, fs=44.1Khz (PCM)
75Ω load THD+N -105dB
600Ω load THD+N -110dB

Singxer SDA-2 DAC NOS Native decoding DSD512, AK4497 Decoder Headphone Amplifier

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The SDA-2 comes in a pretty plain brown cardboard box with the branding on the outside, but open this up and you’ll find the SDA-2 very well held in place with foam inserts and the accessories tightly packaged around the edge. The item is very well protected during shipping, but the packaging is quite plain and simple, not an issue in my opinion though.

The build quality is excellent, it is hefty and feels solid. The inputs feel great, the outputs too and everything just feels built to last on it. I honestly cannot fault a single bit of the build quality, it is quite industrial looking which I actually like.

Accessory wise you get a high quality USB cable and a power cable, along with the remote control. Enough to keep most happy and everything you need is included.

Usage:
The SDA-2 is a DAC/Amp/Pre-Amp, it has digital only inputs (coax, optical, USB, I2S and AES) which should cover most peoples bases. It has a 4-pin balanced XLR headphone output on the front, along with a 6.3mm unbalanced headphone socket. On the back you have both XLR and RCA outputs for using it as a pure DAC or as a DAC/Pre-Amp. There are 3 buttons on the front that control the digital filters (SHARP, SLOW, S‐sharp, S‐slow, NOS or Low‐dispersion), Pre or Fixed output from the rear outputs, and the input.

It’s pretty easy to figure out how all of it works, and I have found it to be very “plug and play” with everything I use. The OLED screen shows the relevant information and is easy to read, the remote works well and is great if you are integrating the SDA-2 into a home hifi system.



Sound:
The SDA-2 uses the AKM4497EQ DAC chip and most are led to believe this is a smoother sounding DAC chip over the ESS equivalent, but to me it all comes down to implementation. The Topping DX7 Pro is the main competitor in this price range, and it has a slightly more clinical approach to representing your music, whereas the SDA-2 is no-less detailed, but it doesn’t put a focus on making you concentrate on every fine detail as much. The SDA-2 is incredible effortless and refined in its presentation, more in line with products like the Element M, with a tiny hint of smoothness that doesn’t detract from the overall balance, nor does it hinder the detail retrieval.

I would not say the SDA-2 is warm, nor is the DX7 Pro cold, but they are slightly different levels of neutral. The DX7 Pro leaning towards a more analytical sound, and the SDA-2 towards a more natural and expansive sound. One point I will note is that the SDA-2 is not very good with IEM’s, there is some background hiss that can be problematic with sensitive monitors, but plug in some full size headphones and you get incredible performance. It drives the HE500 with ease and grace, offering up a controlled yet refined sound that is effortless and enjoyable whilst still detailed.

It’s equally at home in my hifi setup, bringing the same attributes to the table, with a clean and black background. It doesn’t have as many features as the Element M, but in sound it comes close with a similar presentation, being wide and smooth. Where the Element M succeeds is with higher resolving capabilities that you would expect for the price difference.

The more time I spend with the SDA-2 the more I come to appreciate it’s sound, the DX7 Pro wants to grab your attention with all the detail and super flat sound. The SDA-2 instead wants you to sit back and listen to the music with a certain refinement that enables you to just enjoy the music.



Conclusion:
Singxer have done a brilliant job at making a technically sound, and musically enjoyable DAC/Amp with a great set of features along with solid build quality. If you are not worried about using it with IEM’s, I can highly recommend this unit for an all-in-one device. It is equally at home in a hifi system being used as the DAC or DAC/Pre-Amp.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (not suitable for IEM’s, but a very refined sounding DAC/Amp)

*This review was originally posted on my blog at Prime Audio Reviews.

This DAC is built around the AK4497EQ chip, has native DSD512 support and fully balanced outputs. Let’s see how it performs.

Singxer website: http://singxer.com

This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Singxer SDA-2 Review
Pros

• Brawny, expressive presentation
• Price to performance ratio
• Input and output options
• Headphone driving power
• No external power brick

Cons

• No auto power-saving mode

Package and Accessories
In true Chi-Fi cost-saving fashion, the SDA-2 comes in a generic cardboard box with no labelling or description. However, the unit inside is well-packed with foam to protect it from shock or damage during shipping. Included in the package are the SDA-2, a power cable, a USB cable and a remote.

Build Quality and Design



After the rather uneventful unboxing experience, I was happy to see the actual device has exceptional build quality. The chassis is CNC crafted aluminium with a matte black finish and smooth edges. It feels very substantial, weighing in at almost 3kg.

The underside of the unit has 4 rubberized feet to prevent it from sliding. There are no vents or heatsinks so the SDA-2 does get warm when in use but it never feels hot to the touch.

On the left of the front panel is an OLED screen, which displays:

• digital filter mode (Sharp, Slow, S-sharp, S-slow, NOS, Low-Dispersion)
• analogue output mode (FIX or PRE)
• volume level
• currently selected input source
• current sample rate

The three buttons in the middle of the front panel are INPUT, D-Filter and PRE-OUT. To the right of the buttons are the 6.35mm and balanced XLR headphone outputs. The aluminium multi-function knob on the right is for adjusting volume, with a press to MUTE function and a 2-second press will put the device into standby mode.

On the rear panel are the RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs, plus a wide array of digital inputs including AES, COAX, Optical, I2S and USB.

Features and Functionality



The SDA-2 features an AK4497EQ DAC chip and supports up to PCM 384kHz and DSD512 natively. It features a 4-way fully balanced design, independent discrete class-A headphone output, plus the rear analogue outputs can be used at a fixed or variable rate and thus, the SDA-2 can also be used as a pre-amp.

Setting up the Singxer SDA-2 is easy. For the majority of my testing, I simply connected it to my computer via the included USB cable. It does work right away with Windows 10 but for the best experience, you should install the drivers which are available for download from the official website. Linux and Mac computers do not need additional drivers as they work natively. I also connected it via the optical output to my Shinrico D3S media player.



Using the remote gives you access to volume controls, digital filter selection, mute and standby functions. The SDA-2 functions like most modern DAPs and is simple and pleasurable to use. The only thing I would like to see added is some kind of automatic power-saving function that puts the device into standby mode when there’s no audio signal detected for a set period of time.

The headphone output has lots of power (220mW @ 600Ω) and should drive anything you can throw at it. THD is extremely low, as is the noise floor; I don’t hear any background noise, even with IEMs.

• 
  1K FFT with only 2-5 harmonics
• 
  20-20k frequency response
• 
  THD below 0.00033%

Images above courtesy of Singxer website.



Sound



Gear used for testing:
Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (150 ohms), Thieaudio Phantom, BLON B20, Acoustic Research AR-H1, Hifiman Sundara.
Windows 10 PC > Foobar2000 > SDA-2 / Shinrico D3S > SDA-2
SDA-2 > Feliks Audio Echo > headphones

While the numbers look impressive, it really comes down to the listening experience and this is where the SDA-2 really delivers. The Singxer presents itself with controlled enthusiasm and never fails to convey nuances and emotion.

Hanz Zimmer’s Inception is the perfect testing ground with its dynamic mix of thunderous lows and subtle nuances. The Singxer accepts the challenge and responds with zeal, There is loads of power on tap, coupled with reserve and poise. From the quietest whispers to the roaring crescendos, the SDA-2 handles it with ease.



The SDA-2 is muscular but nimble, with excellent tonal balance and refinement. What I really appreciate too, is the way it responds with confidence but doesn’t overlook any subtleties nor does it sound exceedingly aggressive.

Firing up Airbag’s “Sleepwalker” we see the SDA-2 step up once again to show its command over rhythm and momentum as it transitions with expertise between the impassioned vocals, the sparser instrumental segments and the electric lead guitar sections.

I’m delighted with its expansive soundstage and instrument layering, Everything is organised and composed with a perfect balance between energy and refinement. The Singxer remains transparent with superb dynamics and a great sense of timing.



Compared to something like the Sabre-based Topping DX7, the Singxer SDA-2 sounds slightly fuller and richer. That’s not to say it’s colouring the music but rather it just delivers dynamics and detail more effortlessly. It has a resolution and refinement closer to that of the excellent ARCAM irDAC-II but with more vigour in reserve.

Whether used as a standalone DAC or headphone amplifier the SDA-2 consistently delivers and lets the music take control, rather than trying to control the music.



Conclusion
The Singxer SDA-2 is somewhat of a dark horse. It might easily go unnoticed with its low-key, utilitarian design, but once you have a listen to it you’ll discover that this is one serious device that can outperform many of its direct competitors. Whether you’re after a dedicated DAC or an all-in-one solution the SDA-2 is absolutely worth going for.

Specifications
Analog output performance:

• Output level (0dBFS):
• PCM: RCA single-ended output is 2V RMS, XLR balanced output is 4V RMS
• DSD: RCA single-ended output is 1.8V RMS, XLR balanced output is 3.6V RMS
• Output impedance: 22 ohms (RCA single-ended) / 44 ohms (XLR balanced)
• Frequency response: 20-20kHz +/-0.2dB
• Signal to noise ratio: 125dB
• Distortion characteristics:
• THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00025% at fs=44.1Khz (PCM)
• THD+N (1kHz, 0dBFS) 0.00030% at DSD256
• Dynamic response (1kHz, -60dBFS) 125dB
• Left and right channel separation >125dB
• Balanced output noise floor: 2.2uv RMS

Load power:

• 30Ω 3480mW
• 75Ω 1640mW
• 150Ω 920mW
• 300Ω 440mW
• 600Ω 220mW