REVIEW - Yulong Audio Sabre DA8 Reference DAC

[Esprit]

   I like the fact I can plug them in directly via the XLR connection.

IMHO, using an active preamp or a buffer preamp is better

 

[Elder]

 
Thanks Elder.
I've tested on two different pc, win8.1 both, with the same effect...

I tested my DA8 plugged in my desktop (main computer) and in my notebook. Same problem on both. Both running Windows 7.

 

[marcob]

  I tested my DA8 plugged in my desktop (main computer) and in my notebook. Same problem on both. Both running Windows 7.

Now I know from Amanero that the problem is known (and possibly solved) on a new firmware of the combo384.
Unfortunately, no support from Yulong in doing an upgrade.

 

[combat fighter]

  IMHO, using an active preamp or a buffer preamp is better

 
Well one step at a time, I have not got the dac yet! lol
 
I'll will consider a separate amp in the future.
 
I'll see how it goes with just the DA8 for now.
 

 

[Elder]

An excellent DSD sampler is available free for download from Native DSD. There are some DSD256 tracks available.
 
https://justlisten.nativedsd.com/albums/just-listen-1-compilation
 
Enjoy.

 

[teiki arii]

  My HQPlayer settings on Mac OS (all PCM converted to DSD) and Yulong DA8 or Mytek 192DSD:
 
poly-sinc -> DSD7 -> 5644800 -> SDM(DSD)
 
or
 
poly-sinc-hb-2s -> DSD7 -> 6144000 -> SDM(DSD)

Hi Esprit,
thank you very much for your answer. I shall try it, and let you know. 

I'm lucky: I converted my CDs in Flac as HQPlayer doesn't play Apple Lossless format.
Best regards...
Using RAMdisk Manager to improve playing on MBP.

 

[combat fighter]

Quick question,
 
For all those using a DA8 with a separate amp do you just use the amp for driving more powerful headphones?
 
Just wondering what the advantages are for using separate amp when the built in amp on the DA8 is meant to be very good.
 
I'll be rigging my DA8 up to my KRK VTX's which obviously have their own amps built in (as they are powered speakers) via XLR.
 
I tend to listen to music through speakers more than I do headphones.
 
Cheers
 

 

[Khragon]

I use the DA8 as a DAC feeding my WA5 for both speakers and headphones. If you don't use hp that much I think the built-in amp is more than good enough.

 

[combat fighter]

I use the DA8 as a DAC feeding my WA5 for both speakers and headphones. If you don't use hp that much I think the built-in amp is more than good enough.

 
Well that's good to know. I thought the built in amp would be fine for my speakers.
 
I presume the built in amp on the DA8 should be able to drive my Beyerdynamic MMX300's no problem too.

 

[teiki arii]

  Hi Esprit,
thank you very much for your answer. I shall try it, and let you know. 

I'm lucky: I converted my CDs in Flac as HQPlayer doesn't play Apple Lossless format.
Best regards...
Using RAMdisk Manager to improve playing on MBP.

So I tested HQPLAYER and it is a very good upsampler CD player and here are my parameters:
poly-sinc-short-mp-2s -> DSD5v3 -> 6144000 -> SDM (DSD) by XLR of course.
Many bugs with this software anyway, can't play some DSD files but can do it by PCM conversion to 352.8KHz...
But to make it simple, my still best choice is by Toslink where transients are the best forever compared to USB plug without upsampling CDs' files but with Discret AZP OPA with Audirvana 1.5.12. on MBP Late '11, 16Go, SSD, RAMDisk Manager, whatever I use an analog preamp (PASS X0.2 like) or not (Dithering MBIT+)...
Best regards.
I listened to Triangle Latitude Loudspeakers ( just 40 pairs made in '90s for all world) on Jadis DA 60 and JADIS DAC (Sony 707ES as a drive)  last week-end and it was my most enjoyable listening foerever..

 

[Esprit]

I have no bug (HQPlayer MacOS version). I can upsample DFF o DSF files from DSD64 to DSD128 (Mac limit...) and all PCM files to DSD128
All files can be played in original format.
(Mac mini - DA8 and Mytek - passive preamp - active monitors).

 

[teiki arii]

Perhaps I've got problems according to the last version 3.5.0. and with only DSD files (very few actually) but I don't know why... Anyway, Toslink is the best and on symetric XLR outputs only..
I use Ram Disk Manager to create Ram disks, one for audio application Audirvana and HQPlayer,  one for caches, one for Temporary files, and one for my audio files to avoid readings/writings on SSD...  I have to say that USB plug (usb power delivery) must to be "feed" to work for the best, otherwise, Yulong and MBP on battery get hot.. and it is less good.. 

 

 

[marcob]

Curious, the usb power pins aren't used on the amanero card. For sure.

 

[teiki arii]

Actually, I don't know about the pins used by amanero card, but for sure, it gets very hot when I don't use AqVox power supply... I have Discret OPAs...

 

[combat fighter]

Been enjoying my DA8 for few days or so now and really enjoying it!
 
Still breaking it in.
 
I mainly use powered speakers with my DA8 and the built in pre-amp seems to do a good job rigged up to them.
 
I would like to know what choices have I got out there for separate pre-amp if I wanted to go down that route in the future.
 
It would need to serve as a pre-amp for speakers and headphone and have the ability to switch each output off.
 
Would a SPL 2Control be a good choice?
 
Really open to suggestions!