[Angaria]

Hi,

I'm looking for a cheap (<$300) dac to use with some full range speakers that would be an improvement over my emu 0404. I've heard good things about the zhaolu, but I'm wondering if the fact it's also a headphone amp decreases it's value as a pure dac relative to other contenders. Would you say it's still the best value in this price range? Thanks.

 

[Sean H]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angaria /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, I'm looking for a cheap (<$300) dac to use with some full range speakers that would be an improvement over my emu 0404. I've heard good things about the zhaolu, but I'm wondering if the fact it's also a headphone amp decreases it's value as a pure dac relative to other contenders. Would you say it's still the best value in this price range? Thanks.

No question it's among the very best values in a DAC. The headphone amp really has nothing to do with the quality of the unit as a DAC, it is just a bonus feature. The DAC's main analog output signal doesn't have anything to do with the headphone amp. It does run off the unit's main power supply but you can go in and unplug the power to the headphone amp in about 2 seconds.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

How does the zhaolu compare with similarly priced DAC-AHs?

 

[spacemanspliff]

using mine out of an x-fi into some Klipsch surround speakers and it sounds way smoother IMO than it did prior.

 

[Angaria]

thanks for the helpful replies - how much of a difference have you noticed with any of the modded versions vs stock?

 

[Angaria]

also - has anyone noticed a significant improvment over an emu card?

 

[Angaria]

bump for comparison to Emu

 

[003]

While I have not heard a Zhaolu, based on all the positive feedback and reviews I have read about it, I would say it would be a pretty big step up in quality. Espesially one of the modded zhaolus.

 

[d-cee]

i can only really comment on the emu 0404 but the my zhaolu 2.0 is a fair step up in sound over the EMU 0404's analog outs

i run the Zhaolu off the digital out of my 0404 atm

 

[hugz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dept_of_Alchemy /img/forum/go_quote.gif How does the zhaolu compare with similarly priced DAC-AHs?

Zhaolu is brighter and somewhat more detailed than the dac-ah.. the dac-ah is warmer and more musical

Thats the general stereotype anyway. I've heard both extensively

The zhaolu could possibly be too harsh for your full range speakers, but it really depends on how they perform stock. Mine can be unkind for bad recordings, so I try lean towards something a little smoother (dac-ah)

In the end, if that's the pricerange that you're willing to do business in, you will do well with either the zhaolu or the dac-ah

 

[Mher6]

What kind of cables would one need to connect speakers with 1/8'' analog plugs to the zhaolu?

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mher6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif What kind of cables would one need to connect speakers with 1/8'' analog plugs to the zhaolu?

mini->rca.

 

[Mher6]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SayNoToPistons /img/forum/go_quote.gif mini->rca.

Is there any cable that has 3 mini's to RCA? I have a 5.1 system.

 

[003]

AFAIK, the zhaolu is only a 2-channel DAC. I don't know of any multichannel ones.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Um I don't know if it is soley a 2 channel b/c going from my X-Fi to my surround I get 5.1 out according to the speaker test. It is probably a pass through feature.

Oh and yes the Zhalou should be modded as it sounds way better than stock. This may be too complicated for you but it is very simple to do.