Difference between DA chips for Zhaolu?

[spaceconvoy]

Is the CS4398 really $70 better than the AD1852? I've read only a few opinions on this, ranging from 'the upgrade is totally worth it' to 'save your money'. Has anyone actually head both chips? Also, does the upgrade only improve clarity/detail, or does it have any additional effect on the sound signature too?

 

[spaceconvoy]

Anyone?

 

[Cosmid]

If you want detail/clarity, CS4398 is probably better. I did not listen to the other chip, but my Zhaolu w/ CS4398 sounds very clear, neutral, and detailed. The soundstage is broad too. It greatly improved my CE595 and made it comparable to $1000+ CD player. As you use ATH headphones which are believed to be warm, CS4398 would be the one for you. People talked about the difference between chips. I remember that they said AD1852 sound is warm, but you need to double check. I was very happy with CS4398/HD650 combo.

 

[Horizons]

This is insane.

DA converters don't sound warm or cold. The people that promote this engage in open loop listening tests where they can hear anything they imagine.

Both of these dacs are excellent performers. Don't waste your time on audiofool fantasies.

 

[utep10]

As one who has heard both chips, the CS4398 sounded better then the
AD1852 in the stock Zhaolu, this includes the Eddie modded version.

In the Ori-Modded version of the Zhaolu, I preferred the AD1852 chip by a very small margin for its tone and resolution.

 

[spaceconvoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by utep10 As one who has heard both chips, the CS4398 sounded better then the AD1852 in the stock Zhaolu, this includes the Eddie modded version. In the Ori-Modded version of the Zhaolu, I preferred the AD1852 chip by a very small margin for its tone and resolution.

Thanks for the input - a simple answer with no audiofool fantasies

 

[JahJahBinks]

well, the 70 dollars difference is not just the DAC, also the opamps used in the headamp section

 

[spaceconvoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JahJahBinks well, the 70 dollars difference is not just the DAC, also the opamps used in the headamp section

Very interesting, especially since some people are claiming the stock amp sounds better than the upgraded amp. Can you give any specifics on the opamps used? Maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but I can't seem to find any info about this.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizons This is insane. DA converters don't sound warm or cold. The people that promote this engage in open loop listening tests where they can hear anything they imagine. Both of these dacs are excellent performers. Don't waste your time on audiofool fantasies.

At first I took this post seriously, then I read Horizons' other posts, and now I can't tell if it's sarcastic or just making some point about digital sections not being qualitatively different. Certainly from the dac on out, we're talking analog signal, and thus quality (and not merely bits and jitter) reenters the game. Of course, this is not to say that digital signal degradation, electrical noise, and so forth don't have qualitative effects.