Makes me wonder why you opened this very thread in the first place. Hmmm.
So you get to question why I open a thread? The hubris and dictatorial disposition of some folks here...'how dare someone open a thread to discuss a device I have not heard - but says it's better then the one I own and is way cheaper!'. 'Worse he does not think i2s is the supreme audio connection - without it anything is worthless' Then I post 3-4 top of the line new DAC's from some of the best audio engineers and desigers in the industry today - ALL expensive from $2k to $15k and without i2s - to support my opinion. 'Out rage' 'Blasphamy' they say. Then post a top reviewer - whose review of one of the best new DACs on the market - not using i2s - but spdif coax - to do his review (6moons on the Aqua HiFi La Scala 2). The foam begins at the corners of their mouths!
Here is my advice - don't read my thread if you don't like it. Do you think I'm in cohoots with some Chinese audio company? I get a kickback? I had to use a Chinese buying service and paid a 10% premium to order these...Really some people.
Anyway the feedback is already starting as to what I have been saying...like that would matter to you...hmmmm
But I will humor you, for the benefit of the new folks that might read this.
I started this thread because I came upon these while searching the Taobao website looking for new XMOS DDCs, I saw these and thought this new 1000MIP generation of XMOS USB chips (with twice the processing power of the old U8) might yield some sonic benefit. But even more interesting was the design and top quality components used in the F-1 (like the $20 a piece Crystek CCHD-575 clocks for audio and NDK SD clock for USB, and FPGA USB isolation, two stage ADI ultra low noise regulators, 4 layer board, etc..). Previously available for $600+ in the Tanly unit. For $157. I said I got to try one.
That alone would be worth a try - but then I saw the $59 X-1 with the 1000MIPS XU208 with NDK SD clocks), again available only in the $180 Pro3a. I have to try that one too.
Well they don;t have cases - big deal - I bought a nice alumimum case for $9 on Ebay - I can drill some holes and mount it.
It was when I plugged it in and heard it the first time that I was floored! And sold my previous reference DDC the next day! For 2 times more then the F-1 cost.
You'd think folks would be thanking me - spending my money and time to try a new unheard device - god knows I have spent plenty on dead ends and dead units (Melodious MX-U8). But you know what they say about pioneers - 'they're the ones with arrows in their backs'. But here I get arrows fired front and back. To be fair I have had many folks thank me for this thread and the Gustard U12 thread I started - including OP!
So sir that is why I started this thread -
GOOD DAY TO YOU!