Audalytic AH90 - All in one Streamer, DAC, Heapphone Amp

[Deutschefach]

But you should still see filter options - you said you DO see "wide" and "narrow" options for DSD Direct?

I won't use headphone output, I have separate headphone amp

@flyte3333 Because the converter is bypassed in DSD mode it is passed straight to the output section. I like the DSD direct wide mode. I have various music genres. I was listening yesterday to some extraordinary Renaissance performances in wide and am very happy. Eventually I will put an lpsu on it and that will be the end of the tweaking of the DAC. It is great with Tidal.

 

[flyte3333]

@flyte3333 Because the converter is bypassed in DSD mode it is passed straight to the output section. I like the DSD direct wide mode. I have various music genres. I was listening yesterday to some extraordinary Renaissance performances in wide and am very happy. Eventually I will put an lpsu on it and that will be the end of the tweaking of the DAC. It is great with Tidal.

If you look at AKM chip datasheet you will see DSD Direct mode has filters.

You have assumed these filters are digital but they are not in DSD Direct mode - they are analogue filters.

I am asking if you can see these options in the menu - like Gustard A26 allows.... From the Gustard manual.

Can you please confirm if you can see these DSD filters in DSD Direct ? Can you share photos?

 

[flyte3333]

A beta version that can enable DSD DIRECT has been released in this thread.

How to enable DSD Direct mode on AH90? I am not seeing any option

 

[Deutschefach]

It allows DSD Filters within the Memu. You are suggesting that these are analogue filters. Why? in the AH90 you have go into the menu to turn DSD on or off and the filters too. Where is the disconnect? There is truncation or menu shortening, but what is your basis that it does not exist? That is not a how to question, but a "where did it go or did it ever exist" question. It sounds like you are claiming it is non-existent!

 

[flyte3333]

It allows DSD Filters within the Memu. You are suggesting that these are analogue filters. Why? in the AH90 you have go into the menu to turn DSD on or off and the filters too. Where is the disconnect? There is truncation or menu shortening, but what is your basis that it does not exist? That is not a how to question, but a "where did it go or did it ever exist" question. It sounds like you are claiming it is non-existent!

Wide and Narrow are indeed analogue filters. Check out the AKM datasheet.

With DSD Direct there is no DSP at all done on the AKM chip, so it cannot be digital filter. If not digital filter, it must be analogue.

I'm not sure what you mean about existence here. Maybe a language barrier - my apologies.

 

[Deutschefach]

Wide and Narrow are indeed analogue filters. Check out the AKM datasheet.

With DSD Direct there is no DSP at all done on the AKM chip, so it cannot be digital filter. If not digital filter, it must be analogue.

I'm not sure what you mean about existence here. Maybe a language barrier - my apologies.

Which language would you prefer? You are saying that the AKM chip can`t do DSD, correct?
The Gustard Audalytic AH90 is a versatile DAC that indeed supports DSD playback. It features the AK4499EX DAC chipset and AK4191 modulator, which allows it to handle native DSD up to DSD 512. This means it can play DSD CDs without any issues, providing high-quality audio output.

The AK4191 is a sigma-delta modulator (SDM) chip. It is designed to work in conjunction with the AK4499EX DAC chipset to provide high-precision digital-to-analog conversion. The AK4191 features a multi-bit sigma-delta modulator and a 256x oversampling digital filter, which helps in minimizing digital noise and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

Additionally, the AH90 supports various other formats, including PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and MQA12. The higher resolutions of the A26 and above are not an issue.

Many AKM chip DACs can play DSD (Direct Stream Digital) CDs. AKM's newer DAC chips, such as those in the AK4490 and AK4493 series, support native DSD playback. These chips often include features like "DSD Direct" mode, which allows the DSD signal to bypass certain digital processing stages, preserving the purity of the audio signal. Is that a help?

 

[flyte3333]

You are saying that the AKM chip can`t do DSD, correct?

I am definitely not saying this. When I refer to AKM datasheet it is obvious it can convert DSD to analogue.
There has been a misunderstanding somewhere. Its ok, we can move on.

 

[Deutschefach]

I am definitely not saying this. When I refer to AKM datasheet it is obvious it can convert DSD to analogue.
There has been a misunderstanding somewhere. Its ok, we can move on.

I am grateful to you for the question. Your question made me jump to the conclusion that PCM was being done. That isn't the case, and I didn't realize the AH90 has a AK4191 is a sigma-delta modulator (SDM) chip and passes the data stream to it for conversion.

There are two elements about why this is an interesting use of dual chip technology. First:
Here's a breakdown of its functions:

Sigma-Delta Modulation: The AK4191 converts high-resolution digital audio signals into a format suitable for the DAC. It employs a multi-bit sigma-delta modulator, which helps in reducing digital noise and improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by pushing quantization noise to higher frequencies12.

Oversampling and Filtering: The AK4191 performs 256x oversampling, which spreads the quantization noise over a wider frequency range, making it easier to filter out. It also includes a digital filter that further refines the audio signal before it reaches the DAC stage12.

High-Resolution Support: The AK4191 supports extremely high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 1536kHz and DSD up to DSD1024. This ensures that the AH90 can handle a wide range of high-quality audio sources.

And secondly:
The AK4191 sigma-delta modulator (SDM) significantly enhances sound quality in several ways:

Noise Reduction: By pushing quantization noise to higher frequencies, the AK4191 reduces audible noise within the desired frequency band. This results in a cleaner and more detailed sound1.

High Resolution: The AK4191 supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 1536kHz and DSD up to DSD1024. This ensures that even the most subtle details in the audio are preserved, providing a more lifelike and immersive listening experience1.

Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): The combination of oversampling and noise shaping techniques used by the AK4191 improves the SNR, leading to clearer and more accurate sound reproduction1.

Low Jitter: The AK4191's asynchronous operation mode helps to separate the digital and analog clocking, reducing jitter and further enhancing sound quality

I had been wondering why DSD recordings sound so great on the AH90. Your question helped me understand how Gustard could manage the magic needed at the low price point it has. This is part of that story.

 

[dunring]

I've got one of these coming today. Is the firmware for it at the Gustard web site, or is this some kind of variant that won't work with it? I've got a Gustard X30 and going to compare it later. Probably spend the day reading the manual for this though, looks like a hefty amount of features.

 

[flyte3333]

Is the firmware for it at the Gustard web site

Which firmware are you looking for ? Specific feature?

 

[Deutschefach]

Which firmware are you looking for ? Specific feature?

The AH90 firmware is on the website by the AH90 and that which is for the x30 is elsewhere .

 

[spirit77]

Bonjour,

Je suis possesseur du AH90. J'ai un soucis je n'arrive pas à sortir du mode Line Only. Je peux modifier tous les paramètres du menu sauf celui ci. Hier j'ai tenté de brancher un casque mais impossible de modifier. j'aimerai modifier la sortie OUTPUT en "Auto". J'ai parcouru le manuel mais impossible. Un branchement m'en empêche t il? je tourne avec Roon. Y'a t il une configuration à faire pour cela? Je suis en volume Fixe sur Roon et Fixed sur AH 90. D'ailleurs je n'arrive pas à sortir du mode fixed non plus. Si quelqu'un peut m'aider. Merci d'avance.

 

[jeromeaudi]

Bonjour,

Je suis possesseur du AH90. J'ai un soucis je n'arrive pas à sortir du mode Line Only. Je peux modifier tous les paramètres du menu sauf celui ci. Hier j'ai tenté de brancher un casque mais impossible de modifier. j'aimerai modifier la sortie OUTPUT en "Auto". J'ai parcouru le manuel mais impossible. Un branchement m'en empêche t il? je tourne avec Roon. Y'a t il une configuration à faire pour cela? Je suis en volume Fixe sur Roon et Fixed sur AH 90. D'ailleurs je n'arrive pas à sortir du mode fixed non plus. Si quelqu'un peut m'aider. Merci d'avance.

Bonjour,
Je viens d'essayer sur le mien, sur le menu "outpout", via la flèche gauche du pad de la télécommande, je peux basculer les options.
Avez-vous essayé avec la télécommande ?
Aucun branchement ne peut empêcher cette option d'être modifiée.

Pour le volume "Fixed", il suffit de baisser le volume via le bouton présent sur le dac, ou le bouton de télécommande Vol -. La conf de ROON n'a aucun impacte.
La mention Fixed indique un volume fixe pour sortie de ligne vers un ampli par exemple.
Ce dac gère un niveau de volume différent entre la sortie casque et sortie de ligne.

Si vous ne parvenez pas à modifier l'option "output", ni le volume, je pense qu'il faut faire une mise à jour du firmware :
Le lien vers 1.43S

Le mieux, est de retirer la carte SD présente, de mettre le nouveau firmware sur une autre carte afin de pouvoir faire machine arrière si besoin.
Si le comportement est identique après la mise à jour, il faudra contacter le SAV.

 

[spirit77]

Bonjour,
Je viens d'essayer sur le mien, sur le menu "outpout", via la flèche gauche du pad de la télécommande, je peux basculer les options.
Avez-vous essayé avec la télécommande ?
Aucun branchement ne peut empêcher cette option d'être modifiée.

Pour le volume "Fixed", il suffit de baisser le volume via le bouton présent sur le dac, ou le bouton de télécommande Vol -. La conf de ROON n'a aucun impacte.
La mention Fixed indique un volume fixe pour sortie de ligne vers un ampli par exemple.
Ce dac gère un niveau de volume différent entre la sortie casque et sortie de ligne.

Si vous ne parvenez pas à modifier l'option "output", ni le volume, je pense qu'il faut faire une mise à jour du firmware :
Le lien vers 1.43S

Le mieux, est de retirer la carte SD présente, de mettre le nouveau firmware sur une autre carte afin de pouvoir faire machine arrière si besoin.
Si le comportement est identique après la mise à jour, il faudra contacter le SAV.

Bonjour

Merci Jêromeaudi,

Je suis déjà en 1.43s. Le AH90 m'a été livré avec.
Je viens de réessayer et que ce soit avec le bouton ou la télécommande ça ne change rien
Toutes les autres options du menu sont modifiables sauf output.
Le seul upgrade que j'ai fait est celui concernant l'integration DSD directe au menu.
Il est vrai que depuis je n'ai jamais cherché à modifier la sortie OUTPUT. Alors y a t il un lien?

 

[jeromeaudi]

Bonjour

Merci Jêromeaudi,

Je suis déjà en 1.43s. Le AH90 m'a été livré avec.
Je viens de réessayer et que ce soit avec le bouton ou la télécommande ça ne change rien
Toutes les autres options du menu sont modifiables sauf output.
Le seul upgrade que j'ai fait est celui concernant l'integration DSD directe au menu.
Il est vrai que depuis je n'ai jamais cherché à modifier la sortie OUTPUT. Alors y a t il un lien?

il vous reste à essayer de booter le dac sur une autre carte micro sd et un firmware fraichement installé, vous en aurez le cœur net.
Très simple et rapide.