Not always understandable by users.
That's good news indeed. On the subject of preference I must admit I am seeing it the same way as you do. Last year I was a staunch fan of ESS Sabre DACs, And yes tuning matters more as the same ES9038Q2M can sound differently depending on the implementation. But in the grander scheme of things, I have found that my taste seems to favor the native "old school" feel of AKM, a very subtle thing. ESS Sabres in native signature can be outright bright and edgy, AKM on the other hand are natively smoother. At least that's what I have observed
My point is that many things that you write may be less understandable for users.
I am not native English speaking especially using technical terminology so please excuse any phrasing confusion.
Excellent, thank you. I've been considering the Sonata HD as well so I'll go for that.
There's something I'm not understanding, in the Fiio KA3 review you say only power that's preventing it from getting 5 stars, but Sonata E44 is significantly less powerful under loads up to 300ohm (when they're equal pushing 4V). Already @68ohm the KA3 gets 4V while E44 is about 2.7V.
Numbers don't tell all the story. E44 in real life tests has proven to be exceedingly powerful to drive very stubborn stuffs. And I am not just factoring in loudness levels, I factor in the richness of dynamics density and stability when subjected to tough loads. That is why I never judge anything purely on measurements. Take Luxury & Precision W2 for example, advertised at 250 mW and with dual discreet circuitry, but the fact is W2 wasn't as impressive as E44 when subjected to driving a stubborn magnetic planar like Fostex T40RP MK3. Don't just read the specs, do actual A/B comparisons and perhaps you can make sense of what I am saying
Power delivery isn't linear under lower impedances, there's current limits, the voltage can't be pushed without clipping. You're basing the score over a fringe case when more than 90% of use cases for dongles won't be 600ohm headphones. This weird criteria can compromise all the great work you did on subjective assessments.
The question that you have not answered if you have done actual tests like I did? Like doing lengthy A/B. From what I have heard from other users owning E44, it is consistent with my findings. So do you actually have an E44 in hand that you have compared extensively with KA3 side by side driving a 91db magnetic planar or 600 Ohm DT880? wrong statement? I never make assumptions. I only say what I heard and have experienced with
"2V rated dongle" is a objectively wrong statement in your KA3 review and should be corrected if you care about accuracy at all.
At which point am I wrong with saying KA3 is a 2 Vrms dongle? FiiO own specifications clearly indicated it is 2 Vrms and up to 2.7 Vrms on BAL:
Now it's clear you lack basic understanding on how voltage and power works. These sources can't output the same voltage levels under different impedances. It doesn't say "up to 2.7V", it's 2.7V at 32ohm load, it goes up to 4V, starting from 68ohm. E44 also goes up to 4V, but only delivers that at much higher loads. Under any impedances up to 300ohm the KA3 delivers more voltage and consequently more power. It's not about convincing, it's simple math.At which point am I wrong with saying KA3 is a 2 Vrms dongle? FiiO own specifications clearly indicated it is 2 Vrms and up to 2.7 Vrms on BAL:
https://www.fiio.com/ka3_parameters
Yes it can go up to 2.7 Vrms and that is still a region of 2 no?
And have you checked Tempotec E44 specifications? clearly it is a 4 Vrms device which makes is double the powerful than KA3 even on paper
And just because in my summary I said KA3 is a weak 2 Vrms dongle and not specifically mention 2.7 Vrms, now the the accuracy is questionable?
Don't take my words for it, your opinion seems already set on what you want to believe, get yourself an actual E44 and KA3 side by side and compare, while at it get also Questyle M12 and Ovidius B1 - both of which prime examples of 2 Vrms dongles, test them, and see if you are hearing which ones has the better drive for magnetic planars, we can discuss all day long on assumptions and theories but nothing beats the actual experience.
It is not my interest to convince anyone, that is not why I am doing this. I did what I did because it is fun.
