DAC with the function of the amplifier for headphones Yulong DA8 is not the first year, faith and truth serves me as a reference device, with which I compare everything else. This, of course, is not the most "top of all tops," but clearly a device that is part of the big league of audio equipment. After its release, Yulong decided to strengthen their positions and release a more affordable model D200, which will be discussed.
What do you need from a budget model? First of all, observe the most accurate balance: on the one hand, you need to remove enough functions to not fight the top solution, on the other - leave the budget model attractive enough. In the case of the D200, Yulong succeeded brilliantly on the one hand, the D200 is clearly easier than the flagship: the younger Saber 9016 chip is used, cheaper operational amplifiers, the case is made simpler (there is no color screen, and the metal is thinner). In place of the modified USB-interface from Amanero came the usual XMOS, simplified and other components: generators, capacitors, etc.
On the other hand - there are almost all the strengths of the DA8 - asynchronous USB with support for the highest possible sampling frequency up to 384 KHz / 32 bit and DSD format, DA200 is also a fully balanced DAC, and the D200 also has a very good headphone amplifier. Also, the D200 shares the similar topology of the main board, the proprietary jitter control module and much more.
In addition to the ESS9016, the device uses the OP275 as a low-pass filter and two OPA1632s as a buffer and preamplifier. The headphone amplifier, which works in class A, is built on MJD243 / 253 transistors.
In general, what was ordered - a device that is clearly inferior to the top model, but very interesting, especially given the price. the official representative of the company in Russia can be for 37 500 rubles (the price at the time of publication of the article) that almost .
Near the end of the review, I will write down my point of view on which of the two DACs should be preferred, for now, let's analyze the D200 thoroughly.
Specifications
- USB support: asynchronous, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit
- DSD support: up to DSD128, native and DoP
- Other digital inputs: up to 192 KHz / 24 bit
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0.0005% (below the limit of the measuring stand)
- Noise idle: 2 uV
- Signal to noise ratio: 125 dB
- Dynamic range: > 122 dB
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 30 KHz (-0.2 dB)
- Channel separation: 130 dB
- Output level of balanced output: 4.2 V
- Power amplifier for headphones: 70 mW @ 600Ω, 150 mW @ 300Ω, 280 mW @ 150Ω, 1W @ 32Ω
- Power consumption: <30 W
- Dimensions: 50 mm × 180 mm × 45 mm
- Net weight: 1.6 kg
Design and management
The amplifier box is quite simple. It is two-layer, but both layers are made of ordinary brown cardboard. Inside, securely protected by inserts of foam, is the D200 itself. In addition, you will receive a power cord, USB cable and instructions. The complete cables are basically the simplest, but Yulong offers an alternative for those who are willing to spend money on similar accessories.
I came to the test with D200 length of 1.2 meters. The cable is very high quality, it uses double shielding for guaranteed protection against interference and possible interference. It looks beautiful and is a great addition to the Yulong setup.
As for design, Yulong has been doing the right thing for several years: the whole main line of their devices has the same width and front panel design, made in one style. This makes it possible to easily compose from the company's devices very aesthetic "stacks", prompting the user to maintain their fidelity to the company's products.
Did not become an exception and D200. Its body, of course, is simpler than that of older brothers, it is made of thinner metal, but the front panel fits perfectly into the overall concept. Coupled with some kind of Yulong A28 D200 will look very seamless.
Unlike the older models, existing in both silver and black, the D200 simultaneously uses both. Its front panel is silver, and the rest of the case is black. It is shorter in length and much lighter than older models. Control elements are traditionally located reasonably: behind it there is a power connector combined with a switch, a voltage selection switch, digital inputs and outputs, both conventional and balanced.
The D200 (like the DA8) feature is that its balanced outputs can be used to connect headphones with separate ground using the appropriate cables and / or an adapter. With many balanced DACs, this focus will not work, but Yulong emphasizes that for their solutions the Saber line is a regular mode of operation. The sound will turn out different, in comparison with the output to the headphones, since the signal is actually bypassing the standard headphone amplifier.
Of course, carrying the switch of the device to the back panel is not the best idea, it would be much better in front, but, since the D200 is still a desktop device, this is clearly not critical.
The front panel contains all the controls. The first thing you pay attention to is the screen. It is certainly not as cool as the DA8, instead of a color LCD screen, it uses black and white with a dot matrix, but with its task, he still does it perfectly. The upper line shows the selected digital input and the sampling frequency used, and the bottom line shows the selected volume level.
Next come three buttons with LEDs above each. The first allows you to sequentially search through the digital inputs, the LED above it lights up when you successfully connect to this interface. The next button allows you to manage the built-in filter. The default mode corresponds to the sharp filter, it does not affect the signal at all, the slow mode is activated when the LED is turned on, which slightly reduces the level of the highest RFs (above 18 KHz), but the upper frequencies become more pure. I prefer to turn off the filter, using instead of it an Audemvana Plus. In DSD mode, this button switches the filter modes to 50 kHz and 70 kHz, and I personally do not hear its effects on the sound. The last button is used to turn on and turn off the proprietary jitter suppression circuit, while according to strange Chinese logic, a filtered indicator corresponds to the off filter. On my setup, I did not hear the difference from her work, perhaps in the case of a worse source of the number, this function will give something.
The far right is the volume control. As in DA8, it is digital and removable, so it can be rotated to either side endlessly (more precisely, one way it will quickly lead to deafness), the current volume level is displayed on the screen. As in DA8, pressing the knob switches the D200 to the "clean" DAC mode, disconnecting the preamplifier and adjusting the volume with it (be careful if headphones are connected to the balanced output, this may result in deafness).
Also on the front panel is a regular 6.3 mm headphone jack. It is a high-quality and reliably fixes the plug.
In general, the appearance was a success, the device just looks "on its own money", without pulling the blanket on the older models. Build quality is excellent, no flaws and claims.
Sound
To listen to the Yulong D200, I used the following equipment:
- MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 as a source
- Audirvana Plus as a player
- HiFiMan EF-6 and Yulong A28 as an amplifier
- Headphones AKG K702, ZMF Fostex, Fischer Audio FA-003 Bog Oak Limited Edition, Fischer Audio FA-011 Limited Edition Japan, Sennheiser HD800, TDS-7 Snorry mod and a number of others
- Entries in lossless format
In D200, Yulong slightly changed the setting of the headphone amplifier, making it noticeably different from DA8. In the latter, the earphone amplifier is tuned to a musical, slightly softened sound, nevertheless differing in the elaboration of plans. In the D200, more emphasis is placed on the detailing and emphasis of high-speed headphones, some users subjectively preferred the D200 option. By the way, Yulong took this moment into account, and in the updated DA8 of the second revision, recently released to the market, the amplifier is configured as an "arithmetic mean" between the D200 and the old DA8.
As a combine harvester D200, perhaps, has few competitors in terms of price and quality. Despite the simplification of the internal device, it retained most of the advantages of the "big brother" - excellent resolution, speed, ability to reliably work out multifaceted music tracks, good control of even tight headphones. Something, of course, turns out to be worse than the top model, but the difference is not so great.
Low frequencies are well controlled, they are warm, but not overflowing, beyond which they become cloudy. If you need a texture study - D200 will work out if you need pressure and drive - and then he does not save.
Medium frequencies are lively, detailed and natural, sometimes it seems to me that the more complex a work, the better this kid copes with its elaboration. The imaginary scene is built confidently and fairly voluminously. There are minor flaws in the tonality of some instruments caused by the amplifier, but there are not many of them, and they are practically on the verge of nitpicking. If you want to fix it - Yulong A28 is at your service.
The upper frequencies are very good, although not ideal. The lightest headphones sometimes catch a note of underdevelopment in the area of sibilants, but with most balanced headphones it will not be realistic to hear it. In the rest both the quantity and the detail of the HF are pleasing.
In the pure DAC mode, all the roughness actually leaves. If you supplement the D200 amplifier - it is quite capable of competing with many eminent tops. Of course, in this competition he will lose, but he will do it very dignified and with a minimal margin.
The option of connecting headphones to a balanced output, for my taste, is added "for change" and, perhaps, serves more as a toy than a serious option. Headphones from this output sound a bit more drive, but the resolution of the MF is slightly reduced, affecting, in turn, the transfer of volume. In general, the difference is more gustatory, and for serious headphones with a balanced cable, I would take care of buying an amplifier, the good of good models in the middle segment is now quite a lot.
Compatibility
The reserve of power for swinging almost all models of headphones is enough with a margin. Not bad, although not perfect, the combine harvester shows itself and with models that need a swing in the current (yeah, you correctly thought of the AKG K702). From my headphone park, I liked it with isodynamic models, starting with the isophones MyST and ending with the mods TDS-7 and Fostex. Of the headphones, with which the amplifier showed not the best way, it is worth noting the Sennheiser HD-800, but it's just an unsuccessful combination, and not in any serious problems.
Genre D200 is universal, it is suitable for all styles and directions. To poor-quality records, it is critical, but not ruthless.
Traditionally, a few tracks that I liked with the D200:
Pink Floyd - Shine on You Crazy Diamond. To my taste, perhaps, is the greatest composition of the greatest group, clearly showing why they were called "sound architects". The track is not composed, but designed, assembled with beyond virtuosity so as not to hurt the rumor, but immediately the brain. Not all sources can correctly convey the wearisome exhaustion and tearing transition that the composition opens, but the D200 is clearly not one of them.
Dire Straits - Telegraph Road. Of all the diversity of the band's work, this track is perhaps the most diverse. The vocals of Knopfler are really complicated here, and the riches of his finest nuances of the D200 convey quite reliably and in detail.
David Chesky - Rap Symphony. A great recording magician, who did a lot to popularize headphones and binaural records, decided once and for all to put an end to the question of whether rap can be an interesting music. Complex, intertwining bits of this work, combined with perfectly matched performers, recorded with the traditional for Chesky's transcendental quality, will forever convince you that the answer is yes. Especially with the D200.
Comparison with DA8
Of course, the main question that will face many people choosing an ultimatum is the choice between the D200 and DA8 (especially since the latter has recently been well updated). Yes, the D200 is really very close to the DA8, in DAC mode this difference will be even less noticeable than with the built-in headphone amplifiers. But still there is this difference, and top headphones like the same Sennheiser HD800 show it especially well.
So ask yourself the amount of money you want to stop. If the entire "system" you plan to spend less than $ 1500 (not necessarily at the same time), then the D200 will be an ideal choice. Headphones of the middle segment will be an ideal addition to it.
If you are thinking about top models, both existing and future ones, DA8 is waiting for you.
conclusions
D200 is the case when users win games from marketers. Yulong, "pruning" the older model, touched the sound least of all, and the D200 turned out to be very, very interesting. It fits perfectly into the middle price segment, being one of the leaders in it. So if you just want to listen to music with very high quality, and do not pursue the ideal - the D200 is your choice. But can you stop at the nottop model? I here usually can not.
The article is based on materials .
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