The further, the more people show interest in quality sound in portable performance, and various manufacturers try to satisfy demand. Competition in this rather hot market is growing strongly, and this leads to the emergence of ever better solutions with an affordable price. It is in this segment of the market that Encore, which produced a very interesting USB-DAC with mDSD headphone amplifier, works.
In general, Encore does not take experience. The company was founded by Jason Lim, the founder and former CEO of NuForce. After leaving the company, Jason decided to start three at once, working in different segments: NuPrime for top solutions, Celsus Sound - medium level, and Encore, responsible for the budget segment. Despite the affordable price, their first mDAC product turned out to be a very, very interesting solution, but time does not stand still, and Encore decided to improve its product. mDSD received XMOS as an asynchronous USB interface and ESS Saber 9010K2M as a DAC, which immediately provided it with support for maximum resolutions up to 24/384 and DSD up to 256. As additional bonuses, support for modern mobile devices and the ability to output a digital signal via optics . Have got rid of the device from the battery, instead of equipping it with a built-in USB-plug.
Separately happy price, because .
Specifications
- DAC: Saber ESS 9010K2M
- USB interface: XMOS
- Supported formats: up to 24 bit / 384 kHz, DSD to DSD256
- Recommended load impedance: 30Ω - 300Ω
- Output power: ≥40 mW per channel
- Maximum output voltage: 2V
- Input: USB
- Output: 3.5 mm TRS, combined with optical S / PDIF with DoP support
- Dimensions: 60 mm × 30 mm × 9.5 mm
- Weight: 29g
Packing and delivery kit
With the packaging of the company turned out to be utter minimalism. The box is made of paper, a bit denser than the usual office paper. It opens in different directions, opening access to the DAC itself, protected by a foam rubber insert. On this, in fact, the delivery kit also ends, because even the instruction is simply printed on the inside of the box. Of course, this is a complete minimalism, but, on the other hand, an affordable price allows you to buy everything you want yourself. And what about this device, besides the wires, and you need something?
Design and management
The appearance of the device is also quite simple, although it is not devoid of a certain charm: the aluminum case of two identical halves, connected by cogs, looks and feels very reliable. On one side is a USB-plug, on the other - a 3.5-mm jack, combining both audio output, and optical S / PDIF. The latter, by the way, is a pleasant bonus, as it allows using mDSD as a USB interface, especially since it supports even DSD over PCM. At the end there are two buttons for adjusting the volume. MDSD is released in a black and silver version of the case, so that the MacBook users and all the rest will be satisfied.
This baby is connected via USB-connector and the power is taken from it. Thanks to the use of a modern chip from XMOS, are supported and iOS-devices (with the Camera Connection Kit, or as it is now called?) And Android, starting with version 4.1 (USB Audio support, of course, should be available). Unlike the first model, mDSD lost the battery, so it is powered by the battery of the device. The developers have tried to reduce the consumption to a minimum, but it still has a noticeable effect on the running time, but on the whole it's tolerable, for the quality of the sound sometimes you have to pay something, and the battery charge is a very good price.
The quality of assembly, despite the budget price, does not cause any criticism. Nothing anywhere does not play and does not hang.
Sound
The following equipment was used to listen to the device:
- MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 and iPhone 6 Plus as sources
- Audirvana Plus as a player
- Headphones ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, Titan 3 and Titan 5, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, VE Monk and Asura v2, HiFiMan HE-400S, Dita Brass
- Entries in lossless format
By the sound of mDSD turned out to be quite "correct", but with an engaging device. Of course, mobile applications have left an imprint on power consumption, so there is no need to talk about a powerful amplifier, but mDSD in general is not designed for multi-ohmic models.
On the overall filing, Encore obtained a very neutral device with a light "darkness" effect. A small emphasis on LF adds a softness that is pleasantly perceived. At the same time, MF and HF retain transparency for their price. In general, if you take into account the price, then mDSD generally sounds great and whole. If we compare it with much more expensive devices, then, of course, some mDSD deficiencies will be noticeable.
Bass has a slight emphasis on the upper bass, which gives the sound of this range the effect of "elasticity" and pleasant shock. On the other hand, because of this, sometimes you hear a slight "creeping" of the bass on the midrange, but this is only heard on very high-quality recordings. The resolution of LF is slightly above average, the study of texture is very good.
The middle frequencies are practically without any complaints, except for the problem described above at the junction with the low-frequency range. mDSD copes well with the transfer of emotions and the nature of instruments. The vocals are a little forward and slightly "tinted" to enhance emotionality, especially in women's voices. In most cases, this is a track for good, although sometimes "overkill." The imaginary scene is roughly average, both in width and in depth. Very good mDSD can transfer the real volume of tools, they do not sound "point-like" and are not piled into one heap.
The upper frequencies are expected to be slightly rude, there is a slight sharpness, but, compared to other budget devices, it is noticeably smaller. There is almost no ringing, often characteristic of inexpensive devices on lower ESS chips, so RF mDSD is definitely good for its price.
Compatibility
The omnivorousness of this mini-combine is very pleasing. This kid connects seamlessly to both mobile devices and computers. On power, of course, mDSD is clearly not a record holder, but it is quite enough for almost all IEM (dialing the multi-hundred-toner liners do not take into account) and for many full-sized headphones.
Genre is suitable for him almost everything, except for particularly complex styles such as brutal metal and complex orchestral classics. To the quality of recording, the sensitivity is moderate, somewhere by 6 points on a 10-point scale.
Traditional sample tracks
Van Der Graaf Generator - Pioneers Over C. Concentration of all that we love the complex genre of progressive rock: light keyboards, excellent vocalist work, complex, multidimensional melody, changing the rhythm. All this is very well able to transfer mDSD.
Porcupine Tree - Octane Twisted. Typically for the work of this team, behind the melancholy-depressive facade of the track are hidden complex melodic moves and virtuosic work of musicians. Of course, mDSD, albeit not perfect, but very well cope with playing this song.
Vanden Plas - Vision 6ix: New Vampyre. One of the best tracks in the two-part saga from the masters of the progressive metal genre. Despite the fact that Vanden Plas is a bit lost in the shadow of the glory of the famous Dream Theater, due to the unusual music, the Places, perhaps, even bypass modern theatergoers. The device from Encore does everything to convey this complex guitar composition in its entirety.
conclusions
A very good entry-level device for those who want to enjoy quality sound without much expense. Convenient form factor, support for mobile devices, good sound, all this is in mDSD. Good design and affordable price is a good complement to this picture.
The article is based on materials .
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