[shenzhenaudio]

Any chance of sending it to a reviewer who knows about sound and technical specs?

Just kidding it was actually a good review lol!

Who can be pls? let us know.

 

[Lu Mazzmarill]

Zeos said that this DAC/AMP has no gain setting.
Is that true? If not, is this yet recommended for low impendace closed-bach headphones like Denon or Focal Elegia?

 

[project86]

Correct, no gain setting. But it does have a large range of volume adjustment and it works fine with low impedance/sensitive headphones. IEMs seem fine too, though I need to break out a few of my more sensitive models to double check.

 

[shenzhenaudio]

Zeos said that this DAC/AMP has no gain setting.
Is that true? If not, is this yet recommended for low impendace closed-bach headphones like Denon or Focal Elegia?

Yes, sir. It's without the gain setting.

 

[marcusd]

Hi Guys

We have an intro on the DA-ART Aquila II just posted with some initial impressions on both IEM and headphones.

https://headfonics.com/yulong-daart-aquila-ii-first-contact/

 

[Lu Mazzmarill]

Thank you for the kind answer. I have another question: in the settings we can see that we can choose between dac/amp/pre amp mode.
In the DAC mode, the volume knob stops working (that's what i understood with my poor english). Is it because it's no longer headamp? And in "headamp" mode, does the DAC stop working? I did not understand if i can use this as DAC and Headphone amplifier at the same time (my fault, obviously).

 

[marcusd]

Thank you for the kind answer. I have another question: in the settings we can see that we can choose between dac/amp/pre amp mode.
In the DAC mode, the volume knob stops working (that's what i understood with my poor english). Is it because it's no longer headamp? And in "headamp" mode, does the DAC stop working? I did not understand if i can use this as DAC and Headphone amplifier at the same time (my fault, obviously).

Yes, it is both DAC and headphones amp same time so everything works. With DAC only it is what you call "fixed voltage" meaning no volume control as a pure DAC as you will be connecting to another amp which will control the volume there, with preamp you have volume control.

 

[Lu Mazzmarill]

Yes, it is both DAC and headphones amp same time so everything works. With DAC only it is what you call "fixed voltage" meaning no volume control as a pure DAC as you will be connecting to another amp which will control the volume there, with preamp you have volume control.

And by which option could i listen to music with head phone amplifier and dac working at the same time? Headamp mode?

 

[Lu Mazzmarill]

P. S. Thank you.

 

[marcusd]

And by which option could i listen to music with head phone amplifier and dac working at the same time? Headamp mode?

Correct.

 

[Lu Mazzmarill]

Thank you.
Hope to read many more reviews next weeks, though yours was impressive!

 

[EdgeOfSound]

Thank you.
Hope to read many more reviews next weeks, though yours was impressive!

Indeed. I'm interested in this amp but there's almost no other reviews apart from Zs written or otherwise. I really have to rely on reviewers impressions since you can audition these things. At least they've started selling it on Amazon in the UK.

 

[project86]

Sorry everyone, I've got a review in progress but have two other large review projects to wrap up before I can get to it.

Quick summary though - the DAC portion is surprisingly close to the Yulong DA10. Despite using a different DAC chip (ESS vs AKM) from the DA10 they still managed to give a similar sound, with just a touch less definition and extension. I'm attributing a significant part of that to their use of FPGA processing, but also the power supply and output stage have a lot in common. That means generally neutral but with a beautiful midrange sweetness, grain-free treble, and fast transient snap. It's a lovely sounding DAC.

The main difference I hear is with regards to the integrated headphone amp, where DA10 takes a more commanding lead - particularly with power hungry/difficult to drive headphones. Aquila II is still very enjoyable but not quite on the same level, which is to be expected from the more simplified opamp-based design rather than fully discrete on the DA10.

 

[EdgeOfSound]

Is it me or are the quite a few good options around this price range? There are good Audio-GD, Topping, etc Chi-fi options as well as thing like Chord etc. Since I can't try any of them i'm mostly picking them based on which review I like and the aesthetics of the dac/amp.

 

[EdgeOfSound]

Do you guys think that if you connected a bluetooth receiver to the USB input it would work?