ONKYO DP-X1 | Dual Sabre Dacs | Balanced | Sabre BTL Amp | MQA | DSD 256 | Android 5 |

[krismusic]

I really don't understand this balanced thing. The principle as used in pro audio does not apply to headphone set ups.
Someone on here suggested that Onkyo's developers had prioritised balanced and that SE was an afterthought "for those who want it".
Why on earth would Onkyo make a poor implementation of the output that is most common and focus on a more obscure output???
I for one don't particularly want to change the cable on my headphones. I am perfectly happy with stock.

 

[Peridot]

  Another member said he had no issue and that he was a member on an Asian audio forum where nobody was reporting a sound quality change. Not sure what to say, but it was mentioned that the lock range and filter go back to the default so perhaps for the people reporting a quality reduction that might explain it, plus, to be fair, people can imagine things as well so don't rule that out as a possibility. I'm not saying that is the case, but it is a plausible explanation as well.

 
My tally, which may not be fully up to date, is that one user reported worse sound quality, one user reported better sound quality, two users reported no change, and one user reported a significant improvement in a mode that is not actually implemented on the device.
 
Sounds like a fairly typical firmware update to me 

 

[Sonic Defender]

   
My tally, which may not be fully up to date, is that one user reported worse sound quality, one user reported better sound quality, two users reported no change, and one user reported a significant improvement in a mode that is not actually implemented on the device.
 
Sounds like a fairly typical firmware update to me 

LOL, yah, pretty typical for sure. Nice detective work.

 

[Whitigir]

I really don't understand this balanced thing. The principle as used in pro audio does not apply to headphone set ups.
Someone on here suggested that Onkyo's developers had prioritised balanced and that SE was an afterthought "for those who want it".
Why on earth would Onkyo make a poor implementation of the output that is most common and focus on a more obscure output???
I for one don't particularly want to change the cable on my headphones. I am perfectly happy with stock.

Then keep your headphones stock ! It would be your losses to not taking advantage of the balanced out. Why on earth would Onkyo prioritize Balanced out ? Because they are competing against Sony and A&K balanced technologies.....hello...active ground control and dual DAC ....2.5 TRRS ? Not too familiar ?

You can believe that SE is as good as Balanced out on the Onkyo...measurements says the Balanced is superior...my experiences told me that it was superior.....Fact, that Balanced out is the best the DP-X1 can offer, to use it, or lose it, is personal decision.

Once more, I link the measurements from DP-X1 VS AK389 here for references
http://ohm-image.net/data/audio/rmaa-onkyo-dp-x1-24-bit

 

[singleended58]

Then keep your headphones stock ! It would be your losses to not taking advantage of the balanced out. Why on earth would Onkyo prioritize Balanced out ? Because they are competing against Sony and A&K balanced technologies.....hello...active ground control and dual DAC ....2.5 TRRS ? Not too familiar ?

You can believe that SE is as good as Balanced out on the Onkyo...measurements says the Balanced is superior...my experiences told me that it was superior.....Fact, that Balanced out is the best the DP-X1 can offer, to use it, or lose it, is personal decision.

Once more, I link the measurements from DP-X1 VS AK389 here for references
http://ohm-image.net/data/audio/rmaa-onkyo-dp-x1-24-bit

I do not need a high tech measurements and use only my ear's experiences to know the different SQ between SE and balanced outputs. Of course, 2.5 mm TRRS balanced output of the Onkyo DP-X1 is the best so far.

 

[krismusic]

Then keep your headphones stock ! It would be your losses to not taking advantage of the balanced out. Why on earth would Onkyo prioritize Balanced out ? Because they are competing against Sony and A&K balanced technologies.....hello...active ground control and dual DAC ....2.5 TRRS ? Not too familiar ?

You can believe that SE is as good as Balanced out on the Onkyo...measurements says the Balanced is superior...my experiences told me that it was superior.....Fact, that Balanced out is the best the DP-X1 can offer, to use it, or lose it, is personal decision.

Once more, I link the measurements from DP-X1 VS AK389 here for references
http://ohm-image.net/data/audio/rmaa-onkyo-dp-x1-24-bit

I do not need a high tech measurements and use only my ear's experiences to know the different SQ between SE and balanced outputs. Of course, 2.5 mm TRRS balanced output of the Onkyo DP-X1 is the best so far.

I do not have a DP-X1. I have an Onkyo DAP/amp. I really like its SQ but hate carrying a brick so want an all in one DAP. The DP-X1 is an obvious choice as its from the same manufacturer but frankly this balanced lark puts me off.

 

[Whitigir]

I do not have a DP-X1. I have an Onkyo DAP/amp. I really like its SQ but hate carrying a brick so want an all in one DAP. The DP-X1 is an obvious choice as its from the same manufacturer but frankly this balanced lark puts me off.

If you want something with SE only ? There is a little sister from Pioneer that offer only SE output

 

[krismusic]

If you want something with SE only ? There is a little sister from Pioneer that offer only SE output

A definite possibility. Thanks. I had forgotten about the Pioneer. I'm going to hang fire to see what the AR M20 offers when it comes out around the same time as the EU DX-P1. Interesting times!

 

[sabloke]

I do not have a DP-X1. I have an Onkyo DAP/amp. I really like its SQ but hate carrying a brick so want an all in one DAP. The DP-X1 is an obvious choice as its from the same manufacturer but frankly this balanced lark puts me off.

Balanced output uses TWO HD audio chips, that is one per channel, hence the improved sound quality and power output. How exactly would you suggest that's achieved on SE?
The Pioneer version is a single DAC chip and cost just a bit less, so for me is not an option.

 

[Sonic Defender]

 
Balanced output uses TWO HD audio chips, that is one per channel, hence the improved sound quality and power output. How exactly would you suggest that's achieved on SE?
The Pioneer version is a single DAC chip and cost just a bit less, so for me is not an option.

I believe he simply questions any sound quality advantage to balanced other than providing more power.

 

[sabloke]

Twin DAC on balanced vs single DAC on SE. It shouldn't be too hard to see the advantages in sound quality, resolution, staging and yes, power too.

 

[Peridot]

Balanced output uses TWO HD audio chips, that is one per channel, hence the improved sound quality and power output. How exactly would you suggest that's achieved on SE?
The Pioneer version is a single DAC chip and cost just a bit less, so for me is not an option.

 
Audio circuit implementation is all about quality not quantity, and very often 'less is more'. The vast majority of very high-end hi-fi equipment uses single ended design, so any idea that balanced is automatically better is complete nonsense. A dual DAC, balanced amp design like the Onkyo can be great, but there is no reason whatsoever why a single-ended design can't be as good or better. 
 
Anyone wanting to avoid changing cables/connectors should continue to support those manufacturers who haven't jumped on the balanced bandwagon. Equally, anyone happy to play around with different options has the choice of trying the balanced players and deciding for themselves what their preferences are.

 

[sabloke]

Interesting, there were people saying a few pages back that DP-X1s Balanced port is better than Mojo's because that's SE. I disagree, Mojo is still quite a bit better everywhere, including power, resolution, musicality and overall experience. So you see, I'm not a balanced is best sort of fanboi. However, when comparing DP-X1s own ports, balanced wins hands down. I have done A to B with my PM3 and there's no contest. That's not to say SE is bad by any means, its just that if you want to get the best of your DAP, you have to go balanced.

 

[Sonic Defender]

Yes, I wish when I had the DP-X1 that I had tested SE versus balanced more, I really was too lazy to put much effort into it so sadly I can't really have an opinion. I can only say that I really enjoyed the balanced ACG option with the PM3 and balanced with the 400i.

 

[masterpfa]

  Interesting, there were people saying a few pages back that DP-X1s Balanced port is better than Mojo's because that's SE. I disagree, Mojo is still quite a bit better everywhere, including power, resolution, musicality and overall experience. So you see, I'm not a balanced is best sort of fanboi. However, when comparing DP-X1s own ports, balanced wins hands down. I have done A to B with my PM3 and there's no contest. That's not to say SE is bad by any means, its just that if you want to get the best of your DAP, you have to go balanced.

+1
I have to totally agree
Personally and for my tastes only I can confidently say Mojo SE>DP-X1 Balanced>DX-P1 SE
 
As an all in one package I would not do without my DP-X1 at all
YMMV