[ThanatosVI]

AK4499EXs are always paired with AK4191 and other components which make them equal to or better than the AK4499EQ. That is why they are generally referred to as AK4499EXEQ.

You do realize that this implementation with 6 Chips needs more space than the current 2 Chip implementation, right?

The DAP is already quite big, not sure if going even bigger would be the right choice...

 

[nioh]

You do realize that this implementation with 6 Chips needs more space than the current 2 Chip implementation, right?

The DAP is already quite big, not sure if going even bigger would be the right choice...

Agreed. I was just telling the other guy that these 2 chips are not so different if implemented the way they are supposed to be.

 

[Torq]

AK4499EXs are always paired with AK4191 and other components which make them equal to or better than the AK4499EQ.

Not really.

You can use the 4499EX without the 4191. You'd have to supply/implement a different delta-sigma modulator and filter (e.g. you could do it with HQPlayer), unless you wanted pure DSD conversion, but there's no requirement to use the 4191 at all.

The rationale for the 4499EX/4191, which I believe was planned before the fire, was to simplify production of the 4499EQ by splitting up the implementation across a larger number of smaller, more focused, chips. That made it cheaper, easier and more reliable to fabricate. A side effect was that this also results in the circuitry for the modulator and filter being on a different chip, reducing the electronic noise on the converter silicon.

In practical terms ... I believe they wind up measuring the same ... the gains from separating out the DSP are, for the most part, offset by losses in more chips and interconnects. But, the newer version is cheaper to produce, and the additional complications and board space required are an implementer problem.

 

[davidmolliere]

I think things will clear up soon when N30 arrives late august

I’ll be A/Bing with M9 Plus, RS8, 1ZM2 and N7

Hopefully the different mode will cater to different tastes and I have high hopes for Tube Classic Mode for some pairings

 

[aaf evo]

Hopefully the different mode will cater to different tastes and I have high hopes for Tube Classic Mode for some pairings

As do I, I really hope it’s as versatile as I’m imagining it to be. From HKAV it seems to have gone the warmer route compared to N8ii which is good for me. I’ve seen mixed impressions so far, most being favorable but I’m looking forward to trying it myself.

 

[Torq]

Hopefully the different mode will cater to different tastes and I have high hopes for Tube Classic Mode for some pairings

From HKAV it seems to have gone the warmer route compared to N8ii which is good for me.

I'm hopeful that the "classic" mode is back where the N8 was with its tube output. The primary reason I passed on the N8ii was that it was notably less tube-like in its output than the N8. Having both options, plus solid-state, is what I'm hoping for here ... otherwise I'm barking up the wrong tree. The second was that it just looked/felt like design was an afterthought vs. the original N8 - didn't, to me, come across as being as "nice" an overall product.

But then what I really wanted in the N8ii was an N8 with onboard streaming capability, the ability to use an iPhone as a source/transport, and 1TB of internal storage ...

For a while I had both the N8 and the SP2000 ... the SP2000 for when I needed native streaming, the N8 for everything else. The N30LE looks like it'll scratch all those itches, even if I never actually use it as a full DAP (more likely a very flexible, portable, DAC/amp).

 

[blotmouse]

Agreed. I was just telling the other guy that these 2 chips are not so different if implemented the way they are supposed to be.

If 4 channels are indeed the same conversion performance of 8 then I missed a quantum leap in overall performance improvements that the company wasn't all that vocal about. I was under the impression the 4191 was a clocking co-proc mainly, and implementing an array of 4 was the way to achieve the previous 4499EQ's overall performance?

 

[ssriram2791]

I'm hopeful that the "classic" mode is back where the N8 was with its tube output. The primary reason I passed on the N8ii was that it was notably less tube-like in its output than the N8. Having both options, plus solid-state, is what I'm hoping for here ... otherwise I'm barking up the wrong tree. The second was that it just looked/felt like design was an afterthought vs. the original N8 - didn't, to me, come across as being as "nice" an overall product.

But then what I really wanted in the N8ii was an N8 with onboard streaming capability, the ability to use an iPhone as a source/transport, and 1TB of internal storage ...

For a while I had both the N8 and the SP2000 ... the SP2000 for when I needed native streaming, the N8 for everything else. The N30LE looks like it'll scratch all those itches, even if I never actually use it as a full DAP (more likely a very flexible, portable, DAC/amp).

I still have N8 (Classic Timbre!) you sold to me couple of years back. Still top of my list. But also added so many in the way including Cayin C9 (Modern Timbre!).

If you do buy, please post impressions !

 

[Torq]

If you do buy, please post impressions !

My hopes are high-enough that I pre-ordered ... though just the N30LE, not the Amber Pearl package (if it had used dynamic drivers for the sub/bass regions, I probably would have) ...

Glad you're still enjoying the N8!

 

[swedishpat]

I think things will clear up soon when N30 arrives late august

I’ll be A/Bing with M9 Plus, RS8, 1ZM2 and N7

Hopefully the different mode will cater to different tastes and I have high hopes for Tube Classic Mode for some pairings

Looking forward to your comparison!

 

[audionewbi]

Off-topic but do you have any inside info regarding the E7? I'm tired of waiting for it.

Honestly no updates. Most likely end of the year?

 

[weexisttocease]

Honestly no updates. Most likely end of the year?

I've heard Fall. I did my pre order back in February. At this rate the LP7 will be released in 2030.

 

[Steranko]

I think things will clear up soon when N30 arrives late august

I’ll be A/Bing with M9 Plus, RS8, 1ZM2 and N7

Hopefully the different mode will cater to different tastes and I have high hopes for Tube Classic Mode for some pairings

I’ve heard the AP N30LE, you will be impressed and lots of settings to fine tune for those who likes to dabble. I just wished the size was smaller but you can’t have it all….

 

[Steranko]

I've heard Fall. I did my pre order back in February. At this rate the LP7 will be released in 2030.

I hope Mr Wan will release the LP7 soon like end of 2024. I will buy this without even testing it if the footprint is the same as LP6Ti or around that since I have so much faith in his R2R implementation. I am sure this will be the DAP of the decade

 

[Jawis]

For me this was a beauty to behold. Wonderfully looking unit. Feels like a N8ii to hold in bulk and weight, but a little more smoothed off.
My time with it was brief, already small queue even at opening time.
With ie900 sound was rich, wholesome with lovely detail, but so was the N8ii that sat next to it. Any detailed assessment will need some lucky reviewer/owner to write about.