[TestSpecimen]

I'm thinking of constructing an Alien DAC. I have no experience at all with DACs up to this point. My question is, what sort of improvement will a simple DAC like this offer over a soundcard such as the Juli@, X-fi, etc. if any. Also where would the Alien DAC stand when compared to commercially available DACs in terms of quality? i.e. which other DAC's are comparable?

Thanks for your help

TestSpecimen

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

My question is, what sort of improvement will a simple DAC like this offer over a soundcard such as the Juli@, X-fi, etc.

None, Rightmark results suggest the Alien USB audio device is a downgrade to either of the cards you just mentioned.

 

[TestSpecimen]

Oh ok! I'll look into other options then. Thanks for the info

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

anyone know how an Alien compares with an M-audio transit(what I'm considering)? or a cotdt modded Audigy 2ZS (what I have now)?

 

[tomb]

EDIT: Never mind - just my own opinion - which wasn't requested.

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd4ever /img/forum/go_quote.gif anyone know how an Alien compares with an M-audio transit(what I'm considering)? or a cotdt modded Audigy 2ZS (what I have now)?

please?

 

[tomb]

Check my comments (made in the last two days) in the Alien DAC Construction thread. I've built two Alien DACs stock - one with Muse ES for CL/CR and one with Black Gates on CL/CR. Both are running circles around my M-Audio Transit. I've used the Transit - mostly with flac files - as my primary source for the last year and a half. So, I am fairly familiar with it. Nevertheless, the Aliens have more detail, more frequency extension, better bass and more impact.

Keep in mind that this is directly connected to a headphone amp. The Alien is pretty much useless without one. The Transit has its own amp, but that may be responsible for some of its limitations by comparison.

 

[cotdt]

design-wise i prefer the OPUS DAC, but i've heard neither DACs as of yet.

 

[amb]

I like the Alien DAC for its low cost and simplicity, and the fact that no special drivers are needed for it to run on any of the major operating systems. But, it's measurably inferior to the M-Audio Transit in most respects, especially noise floor and distortions. I have also done some listening tests using various amps and found the Transit to sound slightly better. Neither would match the higher-end DACs, however.

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

But, it's measurably inferior to the M-Audio Transit in most respects, especially noise floor and distortions.

Have those links handy?

 

[amb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have those links handy?

M-Audio Transit 16b 44k loopback
M-Audio Transit 16b 48k loopback
M-Audio Transit 16b 96k loopback
M-Audio Transit 24b 44k loopback
M-Audio Transit 24b 48k loopback

Alien DAC 16b 44k
Alien DAC 16b 48k

Since the Alien DAC has no ADC (it's output-only), it was looped back into an M-Audio Firewire Audiophile line-input for these tests. I also tested the Alien DAC with external battery power and it made virtually no difference.

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Keep in mind that this is directly connected to a headphone amp. The Alien is pretty much useless without one. The Transit has its own amp, but that may be responsible for some of its limitations by comparison.

I did know that you have to use the Alien with an amp, but you're saying the Transit doesn't have a line out?

 

[amb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd4ever /img/forum/go_quote.gif I did know that you have to use the Alien with an amp, but you're saying the Transit doesn't have a line out?

The Transit does have a line-out. In fact that's its only output. It just so happens that the line out is robust enough to drive some headphones directly, but it's much better to use an amp with it.

 

[MisterX]

Thanks, amb.

I wouldn't have asked if I could remember where I put my Alien DAC RMAA results.

 

[tomb]

Respectfully, I'll have to disagree.

Since I prefer tubes over sand, maybe noise floor and distortion aren't as important as my ears and the synergy the Alien seems to posess with my particular amps. To me, the Transit seems flat and lifeless by comparison. Most likely the noise floor of my tube amps exceed that of the Alien anyway. There appears to be a much smoother response curve with the Alien. Also, the differences I can hear simply between BG's vs. ES's on the output cap would indicate that individual builds sound signature may vary quite a bit - another implication that the Alien has "more personality."

Call it jargon (the all purpose non-technical criticism around here), but if I was only after low noise floor and flat frequency response, I would've stuck with a CMoy. Most likely any of my off-the-shelf CD/DVD players have lower noise floors and flatter response, too, but that doesn't mean they sound better than even the Transit.

Just MHO, of course ...