In the life of every self-respecting portable audiophile, the moment comes when he decides to acquire decent full-sized headphones and a stationary source. Most often in the role of the latter is DAC with an amplifier, and it is about this "combine" we'll talk today, because Audinst released the second version of its HUD-DX1.
Actually, if you have already read my review of the first version of this device , you can go directly to the section on sound, there I will briefly describe the slight difference that exists between these devices. If you missed it, then read this one at once, still the first version is no longer on the official sale.
The Korean company Audinst is far from being new to the personal audio market, but despite this, they expand their lineup very economically, concentrating on just a few (very good) products. Released a few years ago, the DX1 marked the company's transition from PCM to Saber, although the device itself remained the same versatile and convenient, the compact package combines a powerful headphone amplifier and a very advanced solution for a small combine: heat-stabilized master oscillators, dual power scheme (from USB or external unit), surge protection, load protection and much more.
Relatively recently, the company decided to update this device a little, changing some OSs from MUSES8920 to LME49720 (however, Muses are still used as a current / voltage converter), and also using Nichicon capacitors. A little earlier in the company, the price tag was cut, and it is about 330 dollars, and with the renovation of the insides it has not changed, which can not but rejoice.
Specifications
- DAC: ESS Saber 9018K2M
- OU: MUSES8920, LME49720 and TPA6120A2
- Dynamic range: 127 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: -120 dB
- Maximum output voltage: ± 10 Vpp @ 600Ω
- Maximum output power: 1.5W @ 32Ω
- Output Impedance: 2Ω
- Inputs: optical, USB
- Outputs: optical, 3.5 mm TRS, 6.3 mm TRS, line output 2 × RCA
- Power: USB 5 V or external power supply 12V ~ 15V
- Dimensions: 104 mm × 120 mm × 34 mm
- Weight: 300 g
Packing and delivery kit
Judging by the fact that the box remained the same as the first version (the update only notifies the sticker), the Audinst packaging was ordered in advance and with a margin. Inside the box everything is neatly packed in bags and soft inserts, so for the safety of the device you can be almost calm (after all, do not underestimate the talents of our mail). Of course, inside it lies the DAC / amplifier itself, in addition to it, there are also:
- Power Supply
- adapter for European outlets
- USB cable
- Hex screwdriver for opening the case
- 4 self-adhesive legs
As you can see, unlike other manufacturers that fill their devices, Audinst not only does not forbid opening DX1, but even they give the instrument for this, although you still need a cross-head screwdriver. For what it may be necessary to climb inside - I will tell below.
Design and management
In Korea, apparently, decided that Henry Ford's approach "you can order our car in any color, if this color is black" is too harsh, so the DX1 is offered in two versions: black-gold and white-silver. Both look very good, and, perhaps, having looked both of them live, I will not undertake to say which is better.
The device itself is very compact, it does not take up much space on the table, you can even take it with you on trips if you do not think a single day without a quality sound. As for the design, I think it is clear from the photos, I'll just talk about management.
On the rear panel are located almost all the inputs:
- USB for connection to a computer or mobile phones (in the latter case it will be necessary to connect the power supply)
- power, if you decide to connect the DX1 to the network
- linear output in the form of two RCA
- optical input and output
As you can see, the set of interfaces is not bad, and only the line input is missing for the complete set, since Audinst positions the DX1 more like a DAC than an amplifier. Some compensation can be the ability to use the device as a converter "USB - optics".
As I wrote above, the DX1 can most often be powered by 5 volts received via the USB bus, although in some cases it will be more logical to connect the power supply. I see the following cases when I use it: when using a smartphone as a source, if you use the DX1 with a laptop and want to save its battery, if the USB output of your computer is very noisy on the power line, using tight full-size headphones. In the latter case, you will need to also include the maximum gain, removing two jumpers on the internal board. When the power supply is turned on, the DX1 automatically switches to work with it, using USB only for data transfer. In this case, if the signal source is turned off, the harvester also goes into sleep mode with reduced power consumption.
The front panel contains two headphone outputs: 3.5 and 6.3 mm, if desired, they can be used both at the same time, but most of the time this is just an additional convenience, which allows to refuse adapters. Immediately there is an output switch (line / headphone) and an input switch (optics / USB), in the middle position it turns off the DAC. The volume knob is on the right, it has a very quiet stroke, no noise during rotation.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT03 , Meze 99 Classics , Audio Zenith PMx2 , Noble Kaiser Encore , Campfire Audio Andromeda , 64 Audio U12 , HUM Pristine and others.
The feed of the combine is still neutral, with good resolution and without any "artificial additives." If you add to this a large reserve of power, you get a fairly convenient device for any headphones, allowing them to maximize their own character.
The bass here is fast, very biting, with an excellent level of detail and good depth. DX1 is devoid of the typical "add-on" LF, which is typical for many other sources, especially inexpensive, so at first it may seem that it does not have a lot of bass, but in fact, the numbers are quite balanced here. Of course, the bass has a pleasant texture and is well controlled.
SC are very detailed and are submitted with a slight bias in the microcontrast, which leads to some intelligibility of the device, it needs to be recorded as best as possible on quality. Thanks to such a filing, the device admirably conveys the nuances of the instruments and the character of the room, but low men's voices on bad records may lack weight, although women just from such MF often win. The imaginary scene is not a record, but much larger than the average in width and depth, with an excellent separation of plans.
The HF range is also expectedly good, it is long, detailed, with slightly accented attacks and short fading. At the same time, the DX1 avoids sharpness and unnecessary high-frequency accentuation, unless, of course, you use it with very light headphones. However, people sensitive to HF can still feel "bust", although, to my ears, the amount of "top" here is normal. "Layering" HF is not ideal, but for this price category is also good enough, at the upper frequencies the harvester is able to squeeze the most out of the headphones with almost any feed.
If you compare with the first version, the difference is not great, literally at the level of small nuances. The second generation has a slightly better resolution of the bass and HF, while the "upper middle" of the first generation is slightly more flattened. In general, if you are the owner of the first-generation DAC, there is no need for an urgent upgrade.
If you want to change something in the feed of the device, there are plenty of options for replacing the op-amp, DX1 has two "opamp", in V2, LME's are in their role, but you can change them to many others. In order not to waste extra time (and money) for searches, I will immediately say that, according to numerous reviews and my personal experience, the best results are given by the older models of op-amp from Muses and hybrid OSs SupremeSound V5i .
Compatibility
DX1 is very versatile, there are literally several models of headphones that do not have enough power. The reverse is also true - low noise level makes it possible to use it with sensitive IEM almost without problems. The only difficulty in this case can be excessive power and, as a consequence, a small margin of comfort in the volume control, if your IEM is highly sensitive. The latter, however, is corrected without any problems by reducing the volume at the source or using an attenuator.
Stylistically, the combine is universal, the main thing here is the owner's preferences and worthy material. To the quality of records, the device is still very critical, somewhere on the 8th by a 10-point scale.
By tradition, several sample tracks
Caetano Veloso - Um Canto De Afoxe Para O Bloco Do Ile. At first glance, it seems that this track is quite simple, but this is a very deceptive impression, only with a good DAC (like DX1) can one properly decompose it into components, catching all the nuances of the choir, and enjoying a beautiful, voluminous recording.
Lithium - Green. And another multi-track track with a very voluminous record, clinging to some extravagance, hidden behind a calm facade. Add to the DX1 good detailed headphones - and you can listen to this song more than a dozen times, all the while finding something new.
Röyksopp - Eple. If the previous example drove you into a dream, then this one will probably wake up, having gone through nazhdachkoy by ear. Broken rhythms superimposed on each other form the perfect product in its chaos, and the combine from Audinst with its neutral detail will allow you not to miss any bizarre bending of this track.
conclusions
In general, DX1 has undergone very small changes, the developers apparently decided that they were not looking for good, and they did not change the familiar sound, just a little ottyuningovav it at its discretion. So this harvester is still one of the best ways to get a quality hospital for little money: detailed, technical, versatile and powerful. For those who get this sound over time, there is a great opportunity to "refresh" the pitch, replacing just a couple of op-amps.
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