[project86]

Quote:

Have anyone seen the nearly released D18 DAC from Yulong? It doesn't feature an USB input, but its RMAA test specs blew the meters
I hope to see a review on it, since its impressions by test users on erji were overwhelmingly positive

I've been following the threads on erji, to the best of my ability using translation from Google Chrome. Seems like they have some good stuff planned - the D18 DAC, A18 headphone amp, and then the A10 which is an integrated speaker and headphone amp. I'd love to hear more when they get finalized a bit more.
 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 

[Syan25]

Interesting!
 

 

[K3cT]

That Sabre D18 is based on the Sabre ESS9018 chip I assume? The design of that analog output stage looks like it's lifted straight from Twisted Pear's IVY. 

 

[project86]

Quote:

That Sabre D18 is based on the Sabre ESS9018 chip I assume? The design of that analog output stage looks like it's lifted straight from Twisted Pear's IVY. 

Yep, and once you get over the confusion about the "Sabre" name being applied to all the products... it's actually kind of a cool name in my opinion. 

 

[ttan98]

Project86,
 
I believe the good value DAC(high quality) now is Yulong D100 and Matrix Quatro, both better than my Matrix cube. Having said that  rather than upgrade to either one, I should wait for the next generation DAC based on Sabre ESS9018 chip set to get the best quality sound.
 
What do you think?

 

[Xymordos]

Reviews said that D18 weren't the analytical type? I remember one of the reviews mentioning it to be slightly warm and musical, which seems to lose some details...

 

[project86]

Quote:

Project86,
 
I believe the good value DAC(high quality) now is Yulong D100 and Matrix Quatro, both better than my Matrix cube. Having said that  rather than upgrade to either one, I should wait for the next generation DAC based on Sabre ESS9018 chip set to get the best quality sound.
 
What do you think?

I am a fan of the ES9018, but in my opinion it is only one aspect of the experience. There are just so many aspects to take into consideration aside from just the DAC chip itself. Pick a DAC chip -  ES9018, AD1955, PCM1792, WM8741, PCM1704, etc. and I'm sure there is probably a great sounding DAC that uses it, as well as a not so good sounding counterpart. So upgrading is worthwhile for you (when you have the budget) but basing it strictly on the DAC chip is not.
 


Quote:

Reviews said that D18 weren't the analytical type? I remember one of the reviews mentioning it to be slightly warm and musical, which seems to lose some details...

I got that vague impression as well, but it is very hard to trust the translation. Plus I haven't seen any real in depth reviews, just brief descriptions. I'll need to wait and see. Many people are turned off by the potentially analytical nature of the Sabre DACs (which I don't really agree with....) so maybe the musical aspect is deliberate in the D18 design? We'll see.
 

 

[Sorensiim]

My heat sinks arrived today... Where should I put them? Every single black surface (IC) I can see?
 

 

[Sorensiim]

Dang those Sabre units sure look good... Any idea what kinda price we're talking here?

 

[svyr]

oh god, not the 'we haven't included a USB input because you can buy a transport box from XYZ and soon, US' argument... gah.

also, that's a lot of transistors... large ones too.

 

[Xymordos]

I remember reading one of Yulong's posts where he said he did design it to be musical. I just hope that details aren't sacrificed for that.

 

[eimis]

 
Quote:

My heat sinks arrived today... Where should I put them? Every single black surface (IC) I can see?
 
 

 

 
I've put them on orange marked ICs. I'd also put one on green marked IC if I had enough heatsinks.

 

[Sorensiim]

 
Quote:

 
 

 
I've put them on orange marked ICs. I'd also put one on green marked IC if I had enough heatsinks.

Thanks!
 
I've got 8 heat sinks from ebay... Where in Europe are you? I'd be happy to send you the 4 I won't need but it would probably be cheaper for you to just order 8 from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-x-Aluminium-Heatsinks-3M-Adheisive-Thermal-Tape-GPU-RAM-VRM-VRAM-Chipsets-/320766325560?pt=Computing_ComputerComponents_Fans_Heatsinks_SR&hash=item4aaf29b338
 
 

 

[eimis]

Quote:

 
Thanks!
 
I've got 8 heat sinks from ebay... Where in Europe are you? I'd be happy to send you the 4 I won't need but it would probably be cheaper for you to just order 8 from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-x-Aluminium-Heatsinks-3M-Adheisive-Thermal-Tape-GPU-RAM-VRM-VRAM-Chipsets-/320766325560?pt=Computing_ComputerComponents_Fans_Heatsinks_SR&hash=item4aaf29b338
 

Thanks 

 But I don't really think it's even worth to open up my unit just to put that last heat sink on.... As far as I remember that IC doesn't get that hot....I might be wrong.

 

[rawrster]

So I did say i would update the thread when I get my D100 fixed and it definitely is fixed and I got it back last Saturday. It sounds great and I got it fixed at a very reasonable price. I am currently using the D100 to my V200 amp and modded T50RP and it sounds amazing