Tiny DAC, Big Sound, Evolved – Stoner Acoustics UD100 / UD110 / UD120

[SoAmusing777]

   
Not going to pick a 9018D up since I have my money invested on something else. Will need to start printing money to be able to afford all these toys. However, I do have the Oppo HA-2 with me, which also uses the ES9018K2M, and will be reviewing it soonish.

Gotcha. Totally know how that is. Honestly looking at the iFi iDSD nano vs the GeekOut too.

 

[fritobugger]

I will have the U120 on Monday and the iFi Nano iDSD in about 10 days. I look forward to seeing how they compare.

 

[money4me247]

  I will have the U120 on Monday and the iFi Nano iDSD in about 10 days. I look forward to seeing how they compare.

can't wait to read your impressions

 

[SoAmusing777]

  can't wait to read your impressions

Same here. 

 

[xxspookyxx]

Hey Guys.. i need a little help please..
Sorry for my english..
 
I just wanna one a good DAC to plug in my Phone OTG (Nexus 5), and i will not use Amp, and need use Volume control.
 
1 - The UD120 Can control volume by the android? or only if a have external amp?
 
2 - HIFIMEDIY UX1 SABRE USB DAC, this model works with Android OTG? This Knob volume, is for control volume of hardware, or the  software(android)?
 
Thanks for anwsers!

 

[ljbrandt]

I've compared both...and these were my impressions:
 
The iFi nano is very nice, but rolls off the highs, giving it a very warm, closed sonic presentation.  Still sounds very nice and can listen for hours!
 
The UD120 lets the highs come through better, but smoothly, giving the music a more detailed presentation and open feel.
 
I preferred the later with my speakers.

 

[SoAmusing777]

  I've compared both...and these were my impressions:
 
The iFi nano is very nice, but rolls off the highs, giving it a very warm, closed sonic presentation.  Still sounds very nice and can listen for hours!
 
The UD120 lets the highs come through better, but smoothly, giving the music a more detailed presentation and open feel.
 
I preferred the later with my speakers.

WOW. The UD120 is 1/4 the price. How do the mids and bass compare? Soundstage and imaging? Remember, the UD120 has no amp section in it, while the nano does, so hopefully they were on equal playing fields.

 

[fritobugger]

Hey Guys.. i need a little help please..
Sorry for my english..

I just wanna one a good DAC to plug in my Phone OTG (Nexus 5), and i will not use Amp, and need use Volume control.

1 - The UD120 Can control volume by the android? or only if a have external amp?

2 - HIFIMEDIY UX1 SABRE USB DAC, this model works with Android OTG? This Knob volume, is for control volume of hardware, or the  software(android)?

Thanks for anwsers!

The output impedance of the UD120 is 470 ohms. That is not going work well directly into most headphones. It really needs an amp.

 

[ClieOS]

  I've compared both...and these were my impressions:
 
The iFi nano is very nice, but rolls off the highs, giving it a very warm, closed sonic presentation.  Still sounds very nice and can listen for hours!
 
The UD120 lets the highs come through better, but smoothly, giving the music a more detailed presentation and open feel.
 
I preferred the later with my speakers.

 
Do notice the Minimum Phase filter does have a roll off treble, but not the Standard filter.

 

[xxspookyxx]

Thank you to answering my question..
I see in posts the Sabre Asynchronous are more better than the Adaptive. (And both work Nexus 5)
 
This models below, works good without amp, to use in Android OTG (Nexus 5)?
 
HIFIMEDIY SABRE U2 ASYNCHRONOUS USB DAC
HIFIMEDIY UX1 SABRE USB DAC+SPDIF/USB CONVERTER
 
The UX1 With the External Volume control is better than the Sabre U2 without volume control?

 

[ClieOS]

  Thank you to answering my question..
I see in posts the Sabre Asynchronous are more better than the Adaptive. (And both work Nexus 5)
 
This models below, works good without amp, to use in Android OTG (Nexus 5)?
 
HIFIMEDIY SABRE U2 ASYNCHRONOUS USB DAC
HIFIMEDIY UX1 SABRE USB DAC+SPDIF/USB CONVERTER
 
The UX1 With the External Volume control is better than the Sabre U2 without volume control?

 UX1 already has an headphone amp inside, where U2 doesn't. I really won't recommend using U2 without an amp.
 
I have no experience with either models, but your Nexus 5 might not have enough power to power up UX1.

 

[xxspookyxx]

 UX1 already has an headphone amp inside, where U2 doesn't. I really won't recommend using U2 without an amp.

I have no experience with either models, but your Nexus 5 might not have enough power to power up UX1.

What DAC can i use without AMP?

 

[money4me247]

What DAC can i use without AMP?

At this price point for portable usage, I think your best choices would be to look into something from Fiio or Hifimediy. Cozoy has the new Asparti around $130ish. Not sure there are too many other options out there at the sub-$200 price point.

 

[ClieOS]

What DAC can i use without AMP?

 
Yep, price is an issue. Ideally you want an USB DAC with amp section and self-power (= battery). A good one will run you somewhere between $100~200. If you really doesn't want to spend a lot, then you can get the Android DAC from HiFimeDIY, plus a sub$100 amp, like an E11K which should keep your total cost under $100 but allow you to have a setup that can almost match most all-in-one unit under $200. Of course, it means you have more stuff to carry as well.

 

[money4me247]

sometimes, a dac only solution works fine. I was able to get by with the ud110v2 directly to my bose in-ears. the bose aren't as highly resolving or hard to drive as some of the other headphones out there, so I didn't personally feel like there was any degradation in the audio quality without an amp. ymmv of course.