mrcasey
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2012
- Posts
- 282
- Likes
- 21
I am using JRiver, Yulong Asio and converting to 256. Can't see any option to convert to 512. No issues here at 256
I am using JRiver, Yulong Asio and converting to 256. Can't see any option to convert to 512. No issues here at 256
I am using JRiver, Yulong Asio and converting to 256. Can't see any option to convert to 512. No issues here at 256
You could update your asio proxy to 0.66 to get DSD512 option under 'PCM to DSD method'
You could update your asio proxy(foo_dsd_asio) to version 0.66 to get DSD512 option under 'PCM to DSD method'
... just tried jrivier and it maxes out at 2xdsd (which is actually only dsd128 i think)...
I am in the market for my first set up. I have the Sennhesier hd650 on order. Would the DA8 be a good amp/dac combo pairing for the 650s? Buying from China scares the crap out of me but the DA8 had some of the best reviews in the $1000 price range. I seen the NuForce DAC100 on sale, is the DA8 worth the $600 price difference?
DA8 sounds good with HD650 - a little on the darker/warmer side, which may or may not be your cup of tea, but for most people it will be very nice.
I'd make sure to order from a reputable seller. Grant Fidelity is a good one, for example, assuming you live in North America. Don't just buy from any random website because not all of them are authorized dealers. It's worth paying a little more to make sure your seller will support you.
NuForce DAC-100 is a very nice DAC. It may actually do better with HD650 than the DA8 will, depending on your preferences. It will definitely be more exciting on the top end, rather than smooth like the Yulong.
I actually have the Nuforce DAC100 and the DA8 in house right now along with my HD 650 so I am very familiar with both pairings. I think the Nuforce DAC 100 is without question the better integrated amp combination with the HD 650 and it isnt very close in my opinion. It has much more power delivery at 500 mw + at the 300 ohm impedance the HD 650 has. It was designed specifically for higher impedance headphones like Sennheiser and Beyerdynamics. It drives the HD 650 really well towards its full potential and that is saying alot since I had a Woo Audio WA22 with best tubes ($2,500 with tubes) for it for well over a year with HD 650.
In contrast the DA8 only delivers 170 mw to the HD 650. To put that in perspective, that is around the level of power the older and much cheaper Nuforce HDP delivers to the HD 650, which I used to own as well. In my opinion, that just isn't enough to be considered optimum with the HD 650. With the DA8 amp, I find it to sound a lilt dull and lifeless in comparison, although its still very clean and précise sounding due to DA8 being an outstanding DAC.
That being said, I would have to say that i prefer the DA8s DAC section to the DAC 100 although the latter is still around that level of performance. I think the DA8s amazing USB section is what really makes it phenomenal. If your using computer as your main source that tilts in favor of the DA8.
If I were you and I was looking to base a combo of gear for that price range around the HD 650 and couldn't afford a separate high quality amp, I would honestly steer clear the DA8 for that specific purpose. It's amp just doesn't pair well enough for that in my opinion. You would be much better off with the still stellar Yulong Sabre D18 and a dedicated amp like Nuforce UDH 100, Yulong A28, or the DAC 100 combo. I think Project86 nailed it with his description of how special the DAC 100s integrated amp can be as a all in one value with high impedance cans like HD 650. Also, in his review of the DA8 he points out low impedance cans as the ones that sound better with it.
Just to be clear, I think the Yulong DA8 amp is phenomenal. It's just clearly more optimized for low impedance cans like orthodynamics. As I posted in here just a couple of days ago. It really sings with the Hifiman HE 400. So it's really just a matter of what headphone will be your main tool. DA8 can't be beat as an all in one DAC/amp combo with low impedance cans while Nuforce DAC 100 can't be beat as an all in one DAC/amp combo with hi impedance cans.
I interpreted Project86s reviews of both products that way and that is certainly what I found to be the case. In my case, I will be keeping the DA8 and HE 400 and most likely getting rid off the DAC 100 and HD 650. Primarily, because computer is my only source so the better USB is the clear differentiator for my needs.
Makes sense. My computer will be my main source. Is there Tube or SS amp you would recommend in the $400 to $600 range to go with the D18?
Makes sense. My computer will be my main source. Is there Tube or SS amp you would recommend in the $400 to $600 range to go with the D18?