Hooray, today i am successfully running Pinkfaun i2s into lks004
Still loosing lock at dpll BD01 at cold start up, it needs 10 minutes warm up
Also, the custom HDMI cables is not exactly made for the LKS004. Gotta buy a module instead. However, it is adequate to get a glimpse to compare between R2r7 VS LKS004
**10 minutes** and no longer losing lock on DPLL-BW01 on 192k upsample day Jriver and my superbly build PC!
Holy-cow, the i2s On LKS004 is so freaking good! A lot of Dynamic punches (sound pressure) in comparison to USB!
Dynamic energies, gotta give an edge to LkS004
Tonal body and inner fidelity realism , the R2R7 wins very obviously. The ability to allow me to differentiate a real organic drum slams vs synthesized drum beats in EDM is crazy enough to call this*
Soundstage, gotta give a slight edge to the R2R7 as it has deeper-wider soundstage, where as 004 soundstage is a bit more intimidating. It gains in playing very detailed trebles, the kinds that I called “over saturated” in my R2R7 review before*. Just can not judge it, the Sigma-Delta of top-tier in it class VS Ladder.
My conclusion again ? LKS004 is cheaper and more affordable, it is more friendly toward many different setups in comparison to R2R7 which will be very honest and spit into your ears if your source *SUCK*! Both of these carry too different sound signatures to be called a Comparison*. More like the differences between sound signatures.
R2r7: very organic, very high quality, picky on sources (will sound horrible)! Immersive soundstage! Trebles is sweeter and better in my opinion (better realism!)....I guess it makes senses because it has much better tonal body resolutions/accuracy and realism
LKS004: Well, it is Sigma-Delta, it doesn’t carry the typical Sabre (saber tooth’s!....that means digital glares are considerably Gone in comparison to the 9018S or ....the past). Dynamic slams! W0000 feel like a drum kick is right to the face (I guess it also is stronger due to more intimidating soundstage and oversaturated edges resolution, FE, the trebles). Very detailed, great soundstage, excellent dynamic punches, over saturated edges resolutions in comparison to R2r7 ! But I know many people loves it!
**also, De-Emphasis Off = wider and deeper soundstage VS On** for lks004
Having both of these DAC, I don’t regret either one. I was about to sell LKS004, but for now ? It is worth laying around until I want to taste
different sound signatures