USB DAC Visual Comparison

[Juventas]

I love reading all the informative posts here. Even though I'm very new to this stuff, I thought I'd attempt to contribute something.

The following are simplistic diagrams of the digital half of amps I've been considering based on recommendations here. All the information is taken from the manufacturer (not threads, which are surprisingly conflicting), and only applies to the most current versions. Corrections are welcomed!

Total BitHead ($149)
Code:

[left] ------- USB--|PCM2902|-- ------- DAC[/left]

Bloat ($189)
Code:

[left] ------- ------- USB--|PCM2707|---|PCM1794|-- ------- ------- USBR DAC[/left]

UHA-3 ($189)
Code:

[left] ------- ------- USB--|PCM2706|---|CS4344 |-- ------- ------- USBR DAC[/left]

D1 ($249)
Code:

[left] ------- ------- ------- USB--|PCM2906|---|CS8416 |---|CS4398 |-- ------- | ------- ------- USBR | DAR DAC Coax/Opt--------[/left]

Pico ($499)
Code:

[left] ------- ------- ------- USB--|PCM2707|---|AD1896 |---|WM8740 |-- ------- ------- ------- USBR SRC DAC[/left]

Portable Micro Amp ($598)
Code:

[left] ------- ------- ------- USB--| ? |---|CS8416 |---|PCM1793|-- ------- | ------- ------- USBR | DAR DAC Coax/Opt--------[/left]

I researched them in random order, and sorted them by price after. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, but the amount of (known) ICs scales exactly with price!

 

[darkswordsman17]

Thats an interesting thing. While I agree with people who say specs aren't everything, how you implement the chips matters too, I do think its certainly not a bad idea to start with a good chip and go from there.

I just received my Bloat, and I'm liking it so far, although I think it'll take some time for me to really notice its qualities. It has a clean sound, and seems quite transparent. Since I have no problem with its "compromises" (no volume control on it, can only do USB), I think it'll be tough to beat, but for quite a few people it just wouldn't fit their needs.

 

[pomme de terre]

Those pictures are really helpful... but I need some clarification on the acronyms

Whats:

USBR
DAR
SR

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pomme de terre /img/forum/go_quote.gif Those pictures are really helpful... but I need some clarification on the acronyms Whats: USBR DAR SR

You can always look up what the chip is called and it gives you a pretty good idea what the acronyms mean

USBR : USB Receiver
DAR : Digital Audio Receiver
SRC : Sample Rate Converter (aka Re-Sampler)