[phunge]

Can the fixed output level be set for the balanced outs, or only the single-ended outputs?

 

[phunge]

One more question:  Can the old m902 remote control work with the new m920?

 

[mbgrace]

phunge,
The old m902 or m903 remotes work fine with the m903.  The the codes are the same but the m903 remote has the push-hold features printed on it.
The fixed DAC output feature is only for the unbalanced outputs.  However, the balanced outputs can be set to any preset level so that they will always come up to your prescribed volume at power up.

 

[soundArgument]

Which of the SABRE M series DACs does the m920 use?
 
And can anyone provide background on why a high-end non-portable product would use an M series DAC, designed for mobile applications according to ESS, instead of an ES9012 or ES9018?

 

[third_eye]

  Which of the SABRE M series DACs does the m920 use?
 
And can anyone provide background on why a high-end non-portable product would use an M series DAC, designed for mobile applications according to ESS, instead of an ES9012 or ES9018?

It uses the ES9018-2M which is the newer 2 channel version of the ES 9018.
 
http://www.esstech.com/Pr_2013/ES9018-2M%20%20PR%20130621.pdf

 

[soundArgument]

 
It uses the ES9018-2M which is the newer 2 channel version of the ES 9018.
 
http://www.esstech.com/Pr_2013/ES9018-2M%20%20PR%20130621.pdf

 
 
My apologies--I missed that information in an earlier post on this thread.
 
My more important question is why Grace opted for a DAC chipset focused on the mobile market--the 9018-2M, which, I have no doubt, is still a fine DAC--instead of one of the ESS flagship chipsets such as the ES9012.
 
The reason I'd like to know is that I'm very close to buying an m920.  It seems to have roughly the feature set of the Benchmark DAC 2 but with fewer obvious engineering compromises (e.g., the DAC 2's use of sample rate conversion on all PCM content and the DAC 2's relatively inexpensive, but admittedly high-quality, op-amps in its output stage).  The m920, as someone else pointed out, also is a hell of a lot more handsome than the DAC 2, which looks to me like a piece of automotive test equipment.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

In asking Larry Ho of Light Harmonics why he opted to use the ES90182M instead the desktop equivalent in his Pulse, his reason was:
1. With proper tweaking (for him) the 90182M sounded better than the desktop counterpart   
2. Not that very power hungry.
 
Well, he must be right. Look at the intial Geek Out impressions...
 
Quote:

   
My more important question is why Grace opted for a DAC chipset focused on the mobile market--the 9018-2M, which, I have no doubt, is still a fine DAC--instead of one of the ESS flagship chipsets such as the ES9012.
 
 

 

[rwdrey009]

Hi All,
This is an amazing DAC! I've had SN#9200023 about 3 weeks now & I am very happy with this purchase. The M920 is replacing a Metrum Acoustic Octave DAC & Musical Fidelity V-Link 192(along with some decent cabling). The main reason for the upgrade was my curiosity about playing dsf. files natively & the fact that my Metrum maxed out at 176K. I realize this is sacrilege,but I am not a huge fan of headphone listening...although I have a pretty nice headphone system. Mainly my M920 has been used as a DAC & so far it has been outstanding. Fit n' finish & ease of setup/use have been examplary. Highly recommended.

 

[soundArgument]

  Hi All,
This is an amazing DAC! I've had SN#9200023 about 3 weeks now & I am very happy with this purchase. The M920 is replacing a Metrum Acoustic Octave DAC & Musical Fidelity V-Link 192(along with some decent cabling). The main reason for the upgrade was my curiosity about playing dsf. files natively & the fact that my Metrum maxed out at 176K. I realize this is sacrilege,but I am not a huge fan of headphone listening...although I have a pretty nice headphone system. Mainly my M920 has been used as a DAC & so far it has been outstanding. Fit n' finish & ease of setup/use have been examplary. Highly recommended.

 
Thanks for the info, rwdrey.  Are you using the m920 as a preamp?  And what other components are you using in your system?  I'm trying to decide whether to pick up an m920.

 

[rwdrey009]

No I'm not using the M920 as a preamp...Eddie Vaughn Carina amp (SET), the Hornshoppe Horns, Kenwood KT-8300, very good tubes, & pretty good cabling. Windows 7 running JRiver MC19.

 

[Stereolab42]

.

 

[soundArgument]

   
Did you ever decide? I'm also trying to choose between the two. Leaning toward the Grace because of issues with the volume control and clicks/pops on the DAC2 (as discussed on its thread). One thing that concerned me is that I remember reading on the m903 thread that the Grace volume knob felt a little cheap, is that the case with the m920 also?

 
Have not decided for two reasons. First, I'm waiting to find out about the Oppo HA-1, but the fact that its massive Class A headphone amp section can't be disabled during preamp operation might be a dealbreaker. Second, I've heard rumors that another major high-end manufacturer, the name of which I can't mention, is coming out with a similar product this summer. 
 
It's becoming an embarrassment of riches for those of us who need a product with this feature set.

 

[Stereolab42]

.

 

[soundArgument]

Quote:

   
Well, somehow news of the Oppo HA-1 escaped me and I've been reading about headphone amps for days. My first impression is "no" since at least one review claims it runs very hot (being Class A). Having cats around, a hot grille on top of a unit that shouldn't be blocked isn't really an option. Also I'm looking for something to own for 10+ years and heat is a reliability killer. Another minus is the pot-controlled volume knob, another potential source of failure (this was a criticism of the DAC2 also).

 
I'm with you on the Oppo. The fact that there's no option to switch off the hot-running Class A headphone amp section strikes me as ridiculous, as does the HA-1's use of what appear to be relatively inexpensive capacitors (perhaps the component most prone to failure in a Class A component) when many of the HA-1's other components are first-rate.

 

[Stereolab42]

.