[dfarina]

Quote:

Mostly its the connector with rein that causes it

Please explain??

 

[Ultrainferno]

I noticed that with the X-Dac and the X3 the usb plug seems to be a bit big/loose. You need a cable with a connector that gives a good fit

 

[yugas]

Quote:

I just received it,for some reason i am getting some poping and cracking sounds through the USB connecton,most likely the computers fault,through the optical it sounds terrific.Looks nice stacked with my Vio V200.

 
Hi, 
Did you installed the Windows driver needed? 
What output plugin are you using?
 
I had no problems using WASAPI plush with Foobar 2000, and I usually prefer USB input instead of Optical one, is more practical to me...

 

[yugas]

BTW I have a Supra 2.0 USB cable and it really makes a difference in performance, I recommend a better power cord too, It makes the overall sound a lot more mature and natural to my ears. The X3 DAC only wants good cables to make the best sound possible

 

[tomscy2000]

This DAC looks awfully similar, right down to the circuit board layout....

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-Dual-WM8741-Asynchronous-24BIT-192K-USB-DAC-MK3-Version-Black-Color-/251275924541

 

[Ultrainferno]

Quote:

This DAC looks awfully similar, right down to the circuit board layout....

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-Dual-WM8741-Asynchronous-24BIT-192K-USB-DAC-MK3-Version-Black-Color-/251275924541

 
That does look suspicious indeed...

 

[dfarina]

Quote:

This DAC looks awfully similar, right down to the circuit board layout....

 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-Dual-WM8741-Asynchronous-24BIT-192K-USB-DAC-MK3-Version-Black-Color-/251275924541

Guys,those of us who took the plunge,did we get taken to the cleaners??First pic here is of my X3-DAC with the cover off.....

The next two pics are of the inside of the Ebay DAC that is almost $1000 cheaper.......


Does not look good,can someone with more knowledge with electronics offer there opinion??

 

[dfarina]

Before purchasing this DAC I exchanged about 20 emails with Rein Audio and there communication was good,I just sent them an email with the link to this Ebay DAC and asked for there opinion,very curious to see what they say?

 

[Ultrainferno]

I did that as well and I got a reply already. They don't seem too happy, which is normal. They're investigating and will get back to me.
First differences are different use of driver and DF he says, although this version also has the DF possibilities.
 
I'll keep you posted when I know more.

 

[dfarina]

I also got a response,they said they are taking this matter very seriously and will get back to me.At least there communication is still in tact,lets see where this goes.

 

[tomscy2000]

I just thought you guys should know some more information:
 
This should be the original seller/originator of the DAC-X9 I linked to, I believe, as Valab on eBay is most likely just another reseller:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.1.w4004-620452534.5.en7iEs&id=14732772496
 
I do know that the "first generation" DAC-X9 has been on sale on Taobao since early 2012 (see this link dated March 2012 referring to the DAC-X9); that version had only a Tenor TE7022 receiver chip, so it was only capable of 24/96 over USB. Here, in May 2012, someone on Computer Audiophile reviews it: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/valab-dac-x-dual-wm8741-11939/
 
The later generations of the DAC-X9 have had upgrades to the USB receiver side of things, first with the C-Media CM6631, and now the XMOS, but the DAC and analog stage seem to have had little alteration.
 
What are the differences between the X3-DAC and the DAC-X9? I'm no DAC expert, but this is what I see:

1. For the balanced outputs, the X3-DAC uses the OPA2604, while the DAC-X9 uses a single-to-dual OPA627 (x2)
2. The X3-DAC has a custom-machined face, with the LCD screen moved to the left side, and buttons on the right. There's an extra button for resampling.
3. The X3-DAC uses rhodium-plated outputs, the DAC-X9 uses gold-plated ones.
4. There are likely small differences between the choice of electrolytic capacitors and resistors between the X3-DAC and the DAC-X9; the PCB board appears extremely similar, however.
5. The DAC-X9 costs 1680 Chinese Yuan, which is a little under $275 USD. The X3-DAC retails for $1680 USD, with a sale price of $1280 USD.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Thanks for that. Still, too many resemblances imho

 

[Swimsonny]

I really like my X3DAC and if that cheap version sounds as good, what a bargain. That being said some components are different and i am not sure how much that would affect the sound. Would like to know further stories of whats going on here, is the eBay one a clone or are Rein just slapping a huge price tag on the DAC?

 

[Ultrainferno]

I just got a long reply from Rein, I'll communicate it later, don't have time now

 

[dfarina]

I just got a long reply from Rein, I'll communicate it later, don't have time now

Looking forward to hearing this,I have not got a follow up response as of yet