With the products of the company Yulong I have long and pleasant memories. It was their "harvester" DA8 that became my first serious source and served me faithfully for many years. Traditionally, time does not stand still, Yulong decided to update their flagship by releasing the DA9 model, but they could not resist the process and created a new device from scratch.
Instead of ESS9018 from Saber the novelty is made on the most fashionable chip of the last time AK4497. The role of the USB interface is now favored by XMOS U8. The amplifying part was also pulled up, because one of the main problems of the DA8 was a relatively weak amplifier (very relatively, yet 1 watt at 32Ω is not bad), which was corrected by the purchase of an amplifier, for example, the same A28. In DA9, the developers decided not to go for half measures and made a discrete headphone amplifier that works in Class A and produces up to 3 watts per 32Ω (behind the scenes, enthusiastic screams of isodynamic lovers can be heard). Since the yard is already in 2017, the flagship harvester could not do without a balanced output and, thanks to Yulong, in DA9 it is. In the past there are perversions with the connection of headphones to the 3-pin XLR line-out.
Otherwise, the company applies the same proven approach, familiar from previous models: quality parts, competent board layout, well-organized food.
Special thanks to manufacturers want to say that they did not raise the price for the updated model, as it is fashionable to do now. The price for DA9 is 1289 dollars in the world, the Russian distributor of it (at the time of publication of the article) and receive a USB-wire Yulong Cu2 as a gift.
Specifications
- DAC: AK4497
- USB: XMOS U8
- Digital Interfaces: SA8804
- Volume control: PGA2311
- Gain: OPA1611 and OPA1612 as LPF, OPA1622 - filter
- Headphone amplifier: discrete in class A
- Signal to noise ratio: -130 dB
- Dynamic range: 115 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0.0003%
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 30 kHz (-0.15 dB)
- Channel separation: 120 dB
- Balance output level: 4.2V
- Power amplifier for headphones: the usual output - 110 mW @ 600Ω, 2000 mW @ 32Ω; balanced output - 230 mW @ 600Ω, 3000 mW @ 32Ω
- Maximum resolution: via USB - up to 32 bit / 384 kHz, DoP to DoP128, NativeDSD to DSD256; by Coaxial / Optical / AES - up to 24 bit / 384 kHz, DoP to DoP128
- Power consumption: <30 W
- Dimensions: 248 mm × 210 mm × 60 mm
- Weight: 4 kg
Packing and delivery kit
With the box did not bother, DA9 is sold in the usual cardboard, made from recycled paper (we will assume that this is concern for nature). Inside, securely protected by soft inserts, is the amplifier itself, a power cord, a USB cable and a spare foil for protecting the front panel (one is already glued from the factory). Also put the instruction, without which it is difficult to understand all the nuances, and the warranty card.
Design and management
Personally, I'm sorry that Yulong moved away from his old design. He, of course, looked a little archaic, but there was a certain charm in it. DA9 is made in the style of the relatively recent ADA1 model, the same massive body made of black (or white) aluminum, but this time the front panel is made of metal coated with a super thin layer of gold (at least so say the developers).
In the past went and a bright color screen DA8, and separate buttons for all functions. In DA9 the monitor is monochrome, with brightness reduced for comfort. If the display is not so pathetic (well, really, why the color screen in the DAC?), Then I would like to return the ergonomic buttons. In DA9, all control is built around the rotating and pushing wheel, and due to the congestion of functions to manipulate it is quite trivial.
By default, the rotation of the knob adjusts the volume, the DA9 has 99 steps of adjustment, from positive moments - now the adjustment is done not by a DAC, but by a separate chip, which should benefit the quality of the sound. Short presses on the wheel switch inputs, which the combine has a lot (about them a little lower). A longer press (about 2 seconds) allows you to select the output mode (the setting that will now change - starts blinking on the screen). There are three output modes: headphones, adjustable line output and unregulated line output. An even longer press allows you to select one of the three digital filters AK4497 (why not all 5 filters available from the DAC are a mystery). Finally, an even longer press allows you to select one of the sound modes. This setting only works for the PCM signal and, if I understand it correctly, only for the line output (in headphones, at least, I do not hear much difference, but on the AU - yes). The developers made 3 different variants of frequency response, slightly changing the feed: neutral, V-shaped with emphasis on LF and HF and curved in the opposite direction, emphasizing the mid-range. Changes in the frequency response are very small, somewhere slightly less than 2 dB, but sometimes they give very pleasant results when listening.
Also on the front panel are two headphone outputs: 6.3 mm and 4-pin XLR.
In the lower part of the body there are qualitative legs, which protect the device from slipping, however, taking into account the solid weight of 4 kg, it is not easy to brush it off the floor. In general, despite the weight, DA9 is quite compact, it is placed on the table without any problems and it is also suitable for "computer audiophiles", the main source of which is the PC.
On the back side are all the other interfaces. Power socket, next to it - mains switch, fuse and voltage switch (make sure it is in the correct position). Of course, it's a pity that the power switch was removed from the front of the combine, but now it's almost normal. From the inputs there are: USB, AES / EBU, optical and coaxial S / PDIF. The set of line outputs is standard: there are both RCA and 3-pin XLR. It's a pity, of course, the developers did not provide a line-in, but DA9 is already overloaded with functionality and capabilities.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- in the role of player
- Headphones: Meze 99 Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2v2, Noble Kaiser K10AU, Campfire Audio Jupiter, Kennerton Odin, HiFiMan HE-1000v2 and others.
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
In general, Yulong is not among the companies that by all means try to achieve their own "proprietary" sound. The developers bring the model to the level that the team of experts of the company considers to be a good one and put it on the market. Sometimes, as it happened with DA8, based on user feedback, some adjustments are made. For example, the amplifying part of the DA8-II was added a little HF to provide a feed closer to neutral. In turn, DA9 turned out to be unlike the previous model, which is not surprising, because the filling has also completely changed. "Nine" sounds even, closer to neutral sound, but thanks to the characteristic feed of the MF, it does not turn into a sharp or analytical-dry apparatus.
The bass in the new model was slightly smaller than in the first generation DA8, which could be attributed to devices with a dark character of sound, but it became deeper, texture and better in the transfer of nuances of lower register instruments. I do not know whether it is worthwhile to thank the recycled amplifier for this, but the fact remains that the LFs were slightly "dried", which enabled them to show their terrain and dynamics. DA9 - the model is not for those who like accented or added LF, the bass here is just as much as is laid down in the record, but, if necessary, this combine is quite capable of playing back blows and claps.
The mid-range is fed musically and with a slight (very small) softening, which provides an engaging feed that does not cause fatigue. Despite this smoothness, there is no loss of resolution, all minor nuances are present. The construction of an imaginary scene depends on the chosen output - in the balanced one it is definitely deeper and reaches almost the reference depth, while the usual 6.3 mm sounds more flat. However, both options are very good width and separation plans, but I would still advise you to think about changing the cable to a balanced one. The effect that I got, replacing the wire of my Audio Zenith PMx2v2 on the balanced one from Era-in-ear, really pleased, in neutral and surround-sounding "Zenith" additional depth intensified the effect of immersion. Due to the interesting mid-range device, it's easy to transfer the vocals and the character of the instruments, which adds to its liveliness.
The feed of the high-frequency range (and, in general, the sound of the combine) changes noticeably with the switching of the filters. Traditionally for me it is the Super Slow that provides the most live transmission of the entire band and the most comfortable HF (this filter downpresses the upper band by a few dB, but it's good for it). HF DA9 with this filter is characterized by natural attacks and damping, which gives a very natural transmission of overtones and small nuances of timbre rich records. Other filters make the sound of HF more aggressive, which, in my hearing, gives a wider scene, but worsens the "general perception" of the music.
Compatibility
The main thing that I want to note in this section is the versatility of the DA9, it perfectly handles almost any existing headphones, starting with sensitive IEMs and ending with tight full-size ones. Exceptions can only become the most sensitive "gags" in which noise is heard (in my opinion, quite acceptable in terms of level) and frankly taut full-size. Everything else DA9 shakes without problems, and digital sound control allows you to pick up acceptable volume in any conditions.
It is worth noting that, in comparison with the top "separate" amplifiers, the integrated DA9 solution still loses in scale and dynamics, but among the combines that I heard, the DA9 amplifier is clearly among the leaders.
If we talk about genres, then the hero of today's review - it is quite universal (with an amendment to the taste preferences of the owner), it is not suitable only for those who like the painted sound in the low frequency region or dry monitor feed. To the quality of recording DA9 is quite sensitive, somewhere 8 points out of 10.
Traditionally several tracks for an example
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Shake . More often than not, good musical works are born at the junction of genres. So this track is an excellent example of the combination of rock, American folk and even jazz in places. If you add to this the excellent quality of recording, it turns out exactly what you need for DA9 - a live track, with beautiful percussion, airy and voluminous.
Pain of Salvation - Full Throttle Tribe . Perhaps, no one else this year has managed to release a more interesting work in the slightly passed the genre of prog-metal. PoS still all skillfully add everything that comes to hand in the intricate canvas of their tracks - from jazz to nu, getting a thick, rich sound and interesting melodies. To the credit of the collective it is worth noting that the album is very decently recorded, which allows you to listen carefully and tastefully to all the parts of this composition on good equipment (in the person of DA9).
The Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky . The case when the track heard almost everything, but not all listeners will know who its author is. Tanned by many "followers" the melody still sounds great, and the quality of recording provided by Alan allows her, as well as dozens of years ago, to act as a standard for testing the volume of sound. To DA9's credit, this test passes without too much stress.
conclusions
Yulong do not stand still and are actively developing, not afraid to abandon the old developments. Of course, lovers of "corporate sound" can push it away, I also think that the vector of motion taken by them is very correct, and DA9 turned out to be very successful. Weight inputs, a powerful headphone amplifier with a balanced output, compact size and stylish appearance - all this is clearly available in the assets of the device.
The article is based on materials .
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