Melokin DA9.1 -- HiFi Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifier (ES9038PRO)

[ostewart]

Anyone seen this:

http://www.qlshifi.com/en/wzcapi/da9.1.htm

I've just got one in for review and it's really really good. No ESS glare as some associate with ESS chips, adjustable digital filter, adjustable output impedance, low and high gain.

You can also roll the buffer op-amp, a Burson V6 just fits.

Also I2S support, dither on or off, and jitter reduction on or off.

There are pads on the board so you can solder in balanced line-out too.

It's quite a low price for such a DAC, the headphone amp is not the most powerful but still drives most full size headphones well. Especially Grados.

 

[Detectit]

Is this the review or are you still reviewing it?

Find it an interesting combination.

 

[mgunin]

Yep, I'm really looking for your review as well. Their QA360 DAP was praised for SQ.

 

[ostewart]

Still in use, still on the list of things to review

Big backlog as always.

 

[mgunin]

Sure. Just curious how you feel this one performs in comparison with Micro iDSD Black Label?

 

[ostewart]

Sure. Just curious how you feel this one performs in comparison with Micro iDSD Black Label?

I don't have the Micro, but reviewed the Nano iDSD BL.

The DA 9.1 is a little brighter, more detailed and a great desktop DAC. The amp section is OK for warmer to neutral sounding headphones, but is not the most powerful and is also a little on the leaner side of sound.

 

[Detectit]

Topping DX7S which has balanced amp out!
Pro-ject Digi Box S2

This combo.

And the DIY Breeze audio/Weiliang dac boards...

Which one shines out...difficult to choose.
The Melokin doesn't shine in the looks... That's one thing.

PS
What do you mean about the typical ess glare?

 

[ostewart]

Topping DX7S which has balanced amp out!
Pro-ject Digi Box S2

This combo.

And the DIY Breeze audio/Weiliang dac boards...

Which one shines out...difficult to choose.
The Melokin doesn't shine in the looks... That's one thing.

PS
What do you mean about the typical ess glare?

Some people always say ESS chips sound harsh and bright. But it is all about implementation.

The DA 9.1 sounds neutral, detailed, airy but never harsh.

 

[ostewart]

Been taking the photos for the review, the review is nearly finished

Open in full to see the true colours, thumbnails mess up the quality for some reason

 

[newtophones07]

Is this a single 9038 or dual? Also with the amanero USB chip, do you hear any clicks/pops when switch source sample/bitrates? Also how long was the shipping time to you, from their plant?

 

[ostewart]

Is this a single 9038 or dual? Also with the amanero USB chip, do you hear any clicks/pops when switch source sample/bitrates? Also how long was the shipping time to you, from their plant?

Single chip, shipping was very quick, less than a week I think.

I haven't heard any pops or clicks, most of my music is 44.1 flac though.

 

[ostewart]

Review is up: http://www.soundperfectionreviews.com/2018/02/review-melokin-da91-ess-9038pro-dacamp.html

It'll be posted here on head-fi in a couple of days

 

[dwaleke]

Forum member Amirm purchased one of these to measure for everyone.

http://audiosciencereview.com/forum...rgain-dac-suggestions.1381/page-24#post-69163

 

[ostewart]

Forum member Amirm purchased one of these to measure for everyone.

http://audiosciencereview.com/forum...rgain-dac-suggestions.1381/page-24#post-69163

Looking forward to seeing measurements

 

[chongky]

Yup, waiting for measurements.