Lite Dac or Zhaolu 2?

[AudioNoob]

I'm just buying a darkvoice from china and need a dac to accompany it. What Should I get, I didnt buy headphones yet so its hard for me to justify the price difference between the two.

• D-2.0 with CS-4398 DA-Chip Price > HK $1250.- (162.33USD) with dy2000

blackgates are another 55

Lite dac is HK 780 90$ or so

I can mod the lite dac as I need. I'm not aiming for a benchmark system I just want something that's fun and something that will last.

I'm not a basshead and I hate muddy sound, couldnt keep those superfis even for a week, sold them right away.

I'll probably get something along the line of a k701

 

[device manager]

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=187438

 

[AudioNoob]

that thread deidnt have conclusive answers on how a modded dac ah compares, thats why I summoned this one, sorry If I'm a nuisance

 

[device manager]

No problem, I just thought you might find a little more info in that thread. I emailed Eddie Wu and asked his opinion on the modded DAC-AH vs. modded Zhaolu D2.

Quote:

The only reason you want the DAC-ah is for the mid range (super thick warm ) . The defination is weaker than an without mod d-2.0 with cs-4398. TDA-1543 is over 20 years od DA-chip which mostly using in Philips cd player.

According to other posts both DAC's receive a lot of praise and offer one heck of a value. The nice thing about the Zhaolu is that you can customize the sound by rolling OPAMPS and DAC modules, plus you can add a discrete headamp module that is on par with a HeadFive.

 

[kg21]

I'm having some trouble deciding between these two myself. I will be putting it in between a chaintech AV-710(using the optical out) and the headfive amp which is connected to the AKG K701s. I listen to some hip hop and a lot of asian pop most of my songs are flac/wav with some 320cbr mp3s and a few mp3s with lower bitrate. Which do you guys think would be better in this situation? I like a balanced sound and the other thread said the Lite Dac-ah is more musical which is good however some people also said the highs are grainy if you don't do the passive mod which worries me because I really do not want to do any mods. I emailed Eddie already saying im interested in the Zhaolu but I still have time to change my mind. And I too would like to know if anyone has experience with the modded lite DAc-ah being sold by pacific valve.

 

[AudioNoob]

on par with headfive? I heard it was crappy !?
If it is really on par with headfive, I am definitely getting one for my new apartment.
Just gotta wiat for the closest china trip :$

 

[alex_cs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioNoob on par with headfive? I heard it was crappy !? If it is really on par with headfive, I am definitely getting one for my new apartment. Just gotta wiat for the closest china trip :$

the discrete head amp upgrade is supposedly very good, the standard amp is lacking. its in the range of 60AUD, which is about 45USD, probably less if you can find the right place.

at any rate, its cheap enough to warrant a gamble and not be too brokenhearted if tis not to your liking