ZiShan T1 Hi-Fi Player Thread

[IcedFrosty]

want to buy the zinsan...what recommand t1 4493x2 or t1 4497?

If you have the money, then why not? The 4497 costs about $100 compared to $85 on dual 4493. It also depends on your sound taste. According to my trusted source, 4497 sounds more analog and open, while 4493 sounds more focused. Sadly, dual 4493 consumes more power than single 4497, since 4497 only consumes 346mW and dual 4493 consumes 406mW, but the 4497 sounds more enjoyable. So, it’s up to you

 

[spbkaizo]

No, that's not from stock T1, it's from another user. The stock T1 uses either 2 LM4562 or 2 NE5532, as I mentioned above. Wait for another great head-fier to figure out a way to make such op-amps to work with.

So it's hard to tell from the other vendor photos, but those 2 op amps might just support the balanced output, with each serving separate grounds to support that.

The chip on the main board probably supports the 3.5mm output, in which case swapping that one out would be good enough of an upgrade for me.

Personally, I'd go for the ak4497, as I've got a zishan DSD with an ak4495. That said, and given the price difference, I'd have to question if it's a worthwhile investment over the dual 4493 arrangement.

Would be interested in other close up images of this board...

 

[silverfishla]

So it's hard to tell from the other vendor photos, but those 2 op amps might just support the balanced output, with each serving separate grounds to support that.

The chip on the main board probably supports the 3.5mm output, in which case swapping that one out would be good enough of an upgrade for me.

Personally, I'd go for the ak4497, as I've got a zishan DSD with an ak4495. That said, and given the price difference, I'd have to question if it's a worthwhile investment over the dual 4493 arrangement.

Would be interested in other close up images of this board...

I’ve seen the dual ak4493 version for $68 now (price drop). I just got that one yesterday, but haven’t had much time to play with it. I like it, though. Still have to put it through it’s paces. For the most part, it sounds like a DSD (day have the 4497 DSD), but more controlled.

 

[citral23]

How's navigation?

 

[IcedFrosty]

So it's hard to tell from the other vendor photos, but those 2 op amps might just support the balanced output, with each serving separate grounds to support that.

The chip on the main board probably supports the 3.5mm output, in which case swapping that one out would be good enough of an upgrade for me.

Personally, I'd go for the ak4497, as I've got a zishan DSD with an ak4495. That said, and given the price difference, I'd have to question if it's a worthwhile investment over the dual 4493 arrangement.

Would be interested in other close up images of this board...

ZiShan T1 does supports any dual op-amps. The thing is, if you're using op-amps that bigger than usual PDIP8, they're going to face against the capacitors and other stuff, which going to block the needle connectors and thus, the module won't work. You get the point?

 

[silverfishla]

How's navigation?

It’s there. It’s one of those “soft” touch screens. So, it’s not the best. But, positively, it’s better than none and easier than button operation. Hopefully they will update some features like...not showing any album art or making some of the navigation gestures easier to manipulate. For example...getting to your library of music and choosing folders can be hit and miss..and then miss again. You have to make the gestures a certain way or else it’s difficult to navigate.

 

[citral23]

Urgh. Well if there's no option to add albums/songs to "currently playing" I think that'll be a pass for me. (Main wish for DSD) I'd rather have snappy buttons navigation, even if somewhat quirky, than lame touch navigation. Absolutely hated the first smartphones I got in the 2000s lol, reverted to Nokia's until it became intuitive and responsive. More waiting seems in order at least.

 

[IcedFrosty]

Guys, after AK4493EQ and AK4497EQ, ZiShan is going to release new DAC modules for T1. They are¹:

1. Single AK4490EQ for $35
2. Dual ES9038Q2M for $50
3. Single AK4499EQ for $142

These modules are already confirmed, but still not released yet, so stay tuned.

Note that, ESS version will require a new firmware that's totally different with AKM version. So you have to ESS firmware in order to use the ESS DAC module. But both firmware and DAC module won't be released soon. Wait till all AKM version is released and clear, then ESS will be on the way.

Big thanks to my trusted source. ✌
.
Anyway, which upcoming modules are you guys waiting for? Or just stick with stock module? For me personally, dual ES9038Q2M is the one.

God bless.

 

[majo123]

Guys, after AK4493EQ and AK4497EQ, ZiShan is going to release new DAC modules for T1. They are¹:

1. Single AK4490EQ for $35
2. Dual ES9038Q2M for $50
3. Single AK4499EQ for $142

These modules are already confirmed, but still not released yet, so stay tuned.

Big thanks to my trusted source. ✌
.
Anyway, which upcoming modules are you guys waiting for? Or just stick with stock module? For me personally, dual ES9038Q2M is the one.

God bless.

AK4499EQ sounds good to me

Edit.. Was rushing this morning and didn't notice the sabres

 

[citral23]

That's some prime info here, Frosty

Well it's going to be hard to resist the 35$ one (seriously, this is insanely cheap) just for fun. Don't think there is a 70$ Sonic difference with ak4497 (in fact I've read reports they basically sound the same) and with 145mW power consumption battery life should be very good.

AK4490 : 145
AK4493 : 203 x2 = 406
AK4497 : 346
AK4499 : 667

 

[IcedFrosty]

AK4499EQ sounds good to me

Keep in mind that 4499 consumes a lot of power. So if you don't mind, charge your T1 while using it with 4499 module. But be patient, I believe it won't come pretty fast¹.

That's some prime info here, Frosty

Well it's going to be hard to resist the 35$ one (seriously, this is insanely cheap) just for fun. Don't think there is a 70$ Sonic difference with ak4497 (in fact I've read reports they basically sound the same) and with 203mW power consumption battery life should be pretty good.

Well, I believe that 4497 will make a difference, even if just a little. Just saying, about why I chose dual ES9038Q2M, It's because they only use power less than 100mW (ESS stated one ES9038Q2M consumes 40mW, so 40x2 = 80mW). And if it sounds not as good as the AK4493EQ, I'm okay. Since I listen to music for long period of time .

 

[citral23]

Well, AK4497eq sells for about 50$, AK4490eq for 5$ retail (it's cheaper in bulks) So expectations shouldn't be the same.

AK4490 has SNR 120db, THD -112db, DSD input is max 11.2MHz

AK4497 has SNR 128db, THD -116db, DSD input max 22.4MHz

That's the main paper differences apart from power consumption.

There will obsiously be some small improvements in quality if implemented correctly, but it doesn't look like night and day to me. Let's say the AK4490 has output impedance of 1ohm and AK4497 100ohm like the stupid Z2, the cheaper one would sound better with anything below 300ohms regardless of the chip.

Sabres (or their typical implementation, not sold on dacs having sound "signatures" themselves) are said to sound more clinical, colder than AK, never had a sabre myself but I'm just going with hearsay and would chose AK here just because I typically prefer warmer, analog to cold, analytical signatures.

For absolute best battery life, Sabres should be best indeed (seriously, 80mw for 2 dacs lol that's crazy low)

 

[silverfishla]

I think I would choose the dual Sabres. From my experience, I think the Sabres have the most realistic bottom end. I have a DSD, so I'd probably skip on the 4497. I've not heard anything with a 4499. I'd mostly use my T1 for iem's, so I don't need something that will run with super high output...just want the nuances. The 4493 is good for detail and general good balance.
edit: It's just too bad that Zishan did not leave enough room in case to put the Bursons in there. I tried a couple of different op-amps in there yesterday, and the LM ones that were in there sounded the best. Still need to roll a couple of different ones (all cheap ones).

 

[ShabtabQ]

Will dual 4493 sound better than 4497?, 4493 is even newer product, and how much of an improvement can it be with 4499?

This DAP seems promising, I'll be using it with Tin T2's while commuting and SHP9500's when at home, so which one should I get?

 

[citral23]

Honestly there's no easy answer. All the specs are available on Asahi Kasei's website.

Keep in mind AK4490 was a tol, premium dac in 2014. Subsequent versions bring small improvements on paper, but each time at the cost of power consumption. And there are reports of numbers not being reached for 4497 for example, it's all "paper specs".

To sell further a company claims each higher version is better, fair enough they would go out of business otherwise, but there might not be as much difference as claimed.

"Velvet sound" and such is pure marketing, the dac formula is completely solved by now and any good chip will do the job imo. Implementation makes the difference and we don't know about it for now.

Will be interesting once the first ones are disassembled to find out what output caps / resistors they use for instance.