Obscure Chinese DAPs

[Silent Xaxal]

Well I got a nice surprise today... The Zishan DSD! I saw pictures of it but I didn't expect it to be so small. Build quality looks great, it feels really nice in hand, and most importantly the UI is simple. I was able to figure it out in a couple of minutes and change the language to English. Player came with version 0.4c, I understand 0.4d is out and would like to upgrade it, could someone help me?

 
How does it compare to the Shanling M5? Can I use it as a USB Dac for my PC? 

Also, has anyone tried to run an HD650 or HD800S on this thing?

 

[vapman]

  Ummmm 
Best background info is at the listing here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/272386301194?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
What does that say? I read it but cannot decipher it.

My general understanding of it, as it is a bad translation...
Keep in mind, this is my understanding of the eBay description, not my opinions! text in italics is my thoughts, not anything said in the description.
 

1. The 2nd version has been in the works for the long time because the creator does not have much money to invest in working on it, and did not know enough about programming to complete it until this past June.
2. The features it has are unique for the low price point (separate L/R channel processing, socketed opamp, line out jack)
3. Uses a memory card instead of internal flash because flash memory is too expensive relative to microSD, plus it offers one less point of failure to have removable only storage.
4. Warranty covers anything except the battery. (So I guess if the battery goes bad you are expected to replace it yourself. It is a detachable 2 pin plug like the iPod, so replacing it should be trivial.)
5. Intended for the low budget portable audiophile market
6. High quality capacitors used for best audio quality.
7. Stock opamp is a NE5532, socketed so opamp can be swapped.
8. Can drive headphones with impedance 15 ohms thru 300 ohms.
9. Does not sound shrill with high impedance headphones.
10. Line out interface is unique for DAPs in this price range.
11. Supports up to 24-bit, 48khz WAV. Supposedly also supports MP3. But unclear if it supports any other WAV formats?
12. Three band equalizer - interested to see how this works.
13. Left and right channels are processed separately through the DAC to provide highest quality sound.
14. Remembers where you left off when shutting off and starts over from there.
15. Almost all non-essential features are not implemented. only features are change track and play/pause.
16. USB interface support flashing firmware upgrades as well as charging.
17. 32GB maximum microSD
18. Apparently you can use it as an amp by starting it up while playing music (unclear if from the other source or the Walnut itself) - the LO port then becomes the input, and you can use the Walnut as a headphone amp.

 
I didn't mind writing it up because I was getting a headache trying to read it over and remember all the features.

 

[groucho69]

 
My general understanding of it, as it is a bad translation...
Keep in mind, this is my understanding of the eBay description, not my opinions! text in italics is my thoughts, not anything said in the description.
 

1. The 2nd version has been in the works for the long time because the creator does not have much money to invest in working on it, and did not know enough about programming to complete it until this past June.
2. The features it has are unique for the low price point (separate L/R channel processing, socketed opamp, line out jack)
3. Uses a memory card instead of internal flash because flash memory is too expensive relative to microSD, plus it offers one less point of failure to have removable only storage.
4. Warranty covers anything except the battery. (So I guess if the battery goes bad you are expected to replace it yourself. It is a detachable 2 pin plug like the iPod, so replacing it should be trivial.)
5. Intended for the low budget portable audiophile market
6. High quality capacitors used for best audio quality.
7. Stock opamp is a NE5532, socketed so opamp can be swapped.
8. Can drive headphones with impedance 15 ohms thru 300 ohms.
9. Does not sound shrill with high impedance headphones.
10. Line out interface is unique for DAPs in this price range.
11. Supports up to 24-bit, 48khz WAV. Supposedly also supports MP3. But unclear if it supports any other WAV formats?
12. Three band equalizer - interested to see how this works.
13. Left and right channels are processed separately through the DAC to provide highest quality sound.
14. Remembers where you left off when shutting off and starts over from there.
15. Almost all non-essential features are not implemented. only features are change track and play/pause.
16. USB interface support flashing firmware upgrades as well as charging.
17. 32GB maximum microSD
18. Apparently you can use it as an amp by starting it up while playing music (unclear if from the other source or the Walnut itself) - the LO port then becomes the input, and you can use the Walnut as a headphone amp.

 
I didn't mind writing it up because I was getting a headache trying to read it over and remember all the features.

Thanks. I quit because it was giving me a headache. Appreciate your perseverance.

 

[JASru]

How good is A1 amp from Zishan creators? Is it worth its money? Need a neutral amp.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  How good is A1 amp from Zishan creators? Is it worth its money? Need a neutral amp.

 
A1 is not actually made by the Zishan people, it's made by Ghost Audio Diy, and yes it is easily worth the money, imo it compete's with amps that cost way more.

 

[nick n]

Any suggestions for opamp swapout possibilities in that Walnut player?
Was wanting to come close to the same clarity and see what happens as far as noise floor. ( LME49990's on a DIP ? )
Looking up specs now  ( stock has a max of 20V ) but figured first-hand experience will save some time rather than random guessing/trials.
 Thanks for any ideas .

 

[vapman]

Any suggestions for opamp swapout possibilities in that Walnut player?
Was wanting to come close to the same clarity and see what happens as far as noise floor. ( LME49990??? )
Looking up specs now  ( stock has a max of 20V ) but figured first-hand experience will save some time rather than random guessing/trials.
 Thanks for any ideas .

Will try a muses8820 and opa2132 soon as mine gets in

 

[nick n]

well ordered an LME49860NA and two LME49990's on an adaptor. Will see.

 

[vapman]

  well ordered an LME49860NA and two LME49990's on an adaptor. Will see.

Excited to hear your impressions. The OPA series should have increased soundstage but recessed mids compared to the stock opamp. I have a feeling MUSES would be very nice & musical in it. I ordered my Walnut 2.0 from L&Y Princess Dress Store - horrible seller  don't use them -  on Aliexpress along with some programming cables I needed. Came out to $29.41 with ePacket shipping, so a little less than eBay and I got some wires I need too

They get a lot of good feedback so hopefully I get it quickly. BTW the NE5532 is quite a good opamp although cheap. Generally speaking you have to start getting into opamps that cost as much as the Walnut itself to get that kind of neutrality, but the NE can sound slightly flat or not have as good soundstage as some other opamps.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

  Any suggestions for opamp swapout possibilities in that Walnut player? Was wanting to come close to the same clarity and see what happens as far as noise floor. ( LME49990's on a DIP ?)

 
I doubt changing the opamp will affect the noise floor significantly as NE5532 is fine in terms of spec, the noise floor of the walnut is more likely from the rest of the circuit's design. LME49860 is warm sounding, pulled mids, strong bass, smooth treble, while LME49990 is neutral and detailed.

 

[nick n]

Thanks for the info!
Any fast mods you can think of to address the noise?
At the very least I will whip up some resistor cables, but beyond that I'm just going to live with it as it is. No sense getting too crazy.
Do have an Aclear Porta NIP-05TH transformer unit I'll try

 

[vapman]

Thanks for the info!
Any fast mods you can think of to address the noise?
At the very least I will whip up some resistor cables, but beyond that I'm just going to live with it as it is. No sense getting too crazy.
Do have an Aclear Porta NIP-05TH transformer unit I'll try

How's mp3 playback working and have you used it in amp mode yet? I'm still waiting on mine to ship

Would imagine unless the noise doesnt occur only on very sensitive gear that an impedance adapter could be beneficial.

 

[groucho69]

 
Excited to hear your impressions. The OPA series should have increased soundstage but recessed mids compared to the stock opamp. I have a feeling MUSES would be very nice & musical in it. I ordered my Walnut 2.0 from L&Y Princess Dress Store on Aliexpress along with some programming cables I needed. Came out to $29.41 with ePacket shipping, so a little less than eBay and I got some wires I need too

They get a lot of good feedback so hopefully I get it quickly. BTW the NE5532 is quite a good opamp although cheap. Generally speaking you have to start getting into opamps that cost as much as the Walnut itself to get that kind of neutrality, but the NE can sound slightly flat or not have as good soundstage as some other opamps.

One of the things I enjoy about ordering from China is that you can get great electronics at a place called L&Y Princess Dress Store.

 

[neog007]

 Any suggestions for opamp swapout possibilities in that Walnut player?
Was wanting to come close to the same clarity and see what happens as far as noise floor. ( LME49990's on a DIP ? )
Looking up specs now  ( stock has a max of 20V ) but figured first-hand experience will save some time rather than random guessing/trials.
 Thanks for any ideas .

I tried  muses02 and surprisingly the floor noise disappeared.

 

[mochill]

How is the sound with muse 2