New Denon DA-300USB DSD DAC with headphone amplifier

[shuttleboi]

Looks extremely nice. It's good to see the big boys like Denon and Sony finally getting into this space. No mention of price or if it's coming to the USA.
 
http://www.monoandstereo.com/2014/01/denon-da-300usb-dac.html
 
French:
http://www.denon.fr/fr/product/pages/product-detail.aspx?catid=hificomponents&subid=usbdaconverters&productid=da300usb
 
Japanese:
http://www.denon.jp/jp/Product/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=382c2279-a153-4d3c-b8fa-81b930454f67&SubId=USBDAC&ProductId=DA-300USB#.Us2suCgopzo
 
 
DSD 2.8MHz/5.6MHz, PCM 192kHz/24bit, asynchronous mode corresponding USB-B input
PCM 192kHz/24bit corresponding coaxial digital input × 1, optical digital input × 2 
High-speed buffer circuit with headphone amplifier equipped (6.3mm jack) 
 
 

 

 
 

 

[gevorg]

DSD is not necessarily best, all depends on design. Says to cost 400 EUR here:

http://www.areadvd.de/news/denon-neuer-usb-d-wandler-da-300-usb/

 

[PhilW]

Should be available in February at £329. Looks like an interesting little unit.

 

[Textfeud]

This looks pretty promising I must say. I can't find the power anywhere on the web. Anyone has any idea if this can drive the ZMF (modded Fostex TR50P)?

 

[James K Fox]

Spec sheet here.  Be interesting to see a review of this DAC Amp as it seems to be a very good price for the spec.
 
http://assets.denoneu.com/DocumentMaster/MASTER/DA-300USB_EN01-5.pdf

 

[Textfeud]

  Spec sheet here.  Be interesting to see a review of this DAC Amp as it seems to be a very good price for the spec.
 
http://assets.denoneu.com/DocumentMaster/MASTER/DA-300USB_EN01-5.pdf

I really wonder if this is a device to stream music or if this is really a good headphone amplifier and DAC. I hope the latter but I kinda doubt it.

 

[morphis2525]

denon's website updated, those circuit boards look pretty intense. http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productdetail.aspx?pcatid=headphonessub%28denonna%29&catid=headphoneamps%28denonna%29&pid=da300usb%28denonna%29
 
japanese site has better pics, figures. http://www.denon.jp/jp/product/pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=382c2279-a153-4d3c-b8fa-81b930454f67&SubId=USBDAC&ProductId=DA-300USB

 

[Mhdeia]

Any news about the device? Has anyone heard it?

 

[shuttleboi]

Great review here:
 
http://andreweverard.com/2014/03/19/review-denon-da-300usb-dac/
 
 
It's also for sale now at Crutchfield for $500:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-c5li0RhUysA/p_033D300USB/Denon-DA-300USB.html
 
Between the Sony UDA-1 and this Denon, it's a tough call. 

 

[Mhdeia]

Maybe it is my fault because english isn't my native language but after reading the review i still don't know if the DA-300 is capable to drive my ΗΕ-500 and how it stands next to my Meridian Explorer..

 

[formula1]

Hifivoice made a full review of the DA 300, seems like Denon paid much attention to the Dac. Headphone amp section it's pretty basic, not a good idea to use it with planars. 
http://www.hifi-voice.com/testy-a-recenze/d-a-prevodniky/1184-denon-da-300-usb.html

 

[Mhdeia]

I use planars with Meridian Explorer and i am very happy with it. I need something more powerful than Explorer, even if it is not portable but not so bulky and expensive and i think that DA-300 meets my wishes.Looking forward for any review that covers the unit as headphone amp.

 

[shuttleboi]

  Maybe it is my fault because english isn't my native language but after reading the review i still don't know if the DA-300 is capable to drive my ΗΕ-500 and how it stands next to my Meridian Explorer..

 
Are you actually expecting that someone will write a review of how this DAC will drive the HE-500 headphones specifically? There are hundreds of headphones on the market, and it's unlikely someone will write an article to meet your needs. The closest I've seen to a standardized headphone used in testing across many articles is the Sennheiser HD650.

 

[Mhdeia]

No of course i don't expect such a review. Maybe in the future. I just hope some reviewer will describe the behaviour of this interesting DAC/AMP with "difficult" headphones like HE-500. I also have DENON AH-D7000 and i am really curious about this unit. 
Thanks for your answers.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

I have been using the DA-300usb for about a week.  I am pleasantly surprised by this DAC/amp.  The DAC extracted good amount details.  Midrange has life and gave a sense intimacy.  Bass comes through tight and lively.  The headphone amp is respectable being most comfortable with headphones under 100 Ohms.  I would like more gain.  On high impedance headphones such as HD650, the Denon don't have enough gain for normal listening levels.  I could not find a way to increase the gain if it's even possible.  For the casual music lover, the Denon fits the bill.  For those with golden ears, I recommend to use the DA-300USA as a DAC.  Use the Line out to a high-end headphones amplifier such as the SPL Phonitor 2 or Phonitor Mini and you'll have a winning combo.