A couple of months ago, a DAC and a headphone amplifier in one bottle of Yulong Saber DA8 came into my hands, and this is not just a DAC, but one of the Hi-End class solutions, with a price tag worthy of such an occasion of $ 1300. I decided to sort out the issue in detail and tell why external DACs are needed, what they are and what money is paid for.
Actually, what is a DAC? As the abbreviation suggests, this is a digital-to-analog converter (digital-to-analog converter or DAC), and it is clear that its task is to convert a digital recording of a signal, in our particular case sound, back to analog form. First you need to understand what an analog signal is.
Analog signal called continuous in time. Sound is such a signal (and its special case is music). It is the analog signal we hear and perceive. The main problem is that for the full storage of a continuous signal, we need infinite memory (or analog storage). Since modern computers do not have infinite memory, a perfect analog signal has to be converted into dry and lifeless numbers. To do this, the amplitude of the signal is measured at a certain frequency (this frequency is called the sampling frequency or sometimes the sampling frequency, according to a non-sample rate), and it is these measurements that are stored in the computer memory. The second important characteristic of a digital signal is the bit depth, which determines how much a bit is used to store the amplitude. Bit depth determines the dynamic range - how many levels between the strongest and weakest signals we can save.
How to choose these two indicators? For the sampling frequency there is a mathematically proven which states that an analog signal can be losslessly restored from digital if the sampling frequency is greater than twice the maximum signal frequency. Since the limit of human hearing averages about 20 kilohertz (and even decreases with age), a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz was chosen for compact discs with digital audio, and 16 bits per channel were allocated to the coding of one measure.
Later, in order to satisfy the growth of appetites for lovers of excellence, they began to use records with a higher sampling rate and sometimes from 24 bits per channel.
How to convert all this digital wealth back to analog form? This is where the DACs come to the rescue. They receive a digital signal at the input, and at the output they give a wonderful (well, or as lucky) analog sound. Usually, DAC chips are used for sound, built on one of two technologies. The first one is called “multi-bit”, since the microcircuit takes an entire data word as input, giving the output signal of a given amplitude. The second technology is abbreviated as “delta-sigma”, most often DACs built on it read the incoming stream bit by bit, and depending on the data they change the amplitude of the output signal, increasing or decreasing it.
Both of these technologies have different sound patterns and the multi-bit versus delta-sigma debate does not subside in audio communities.
In addition to the DAC chip itself, the device can include (and usually includes) a lot of other elements: a USB controller for working with a computer, an amplifier, a power control circuit, and much more. Thus, it is not enough to take a good DAC chip and immediately get an excellent device, a lot depends on the “strapping”.
The company Yulong Audio is actively struggling in the market of Hi-End audio solutions, confidently climbing into the upper segment. Their Yulong D100 DAC with a price of less than $ 500 was able to compete on equal terms with solutions priced at about $ 1,000, and then the Mk II update helped it to remain relevant in the struggle unfolding in the mid-top price segment. The D18, a reference DAC built on a top-end chip from ESS Technologies with a price of about $ 700, should also be considered a completely successful model, although the D18 was frustrated by the lack of USB support and colored soft feed. Finally, the company decided to present an uncompromising solution to the market that could lead Yulong to the next step. So there was a DA8.
It was built on the same top-end Saber 9018 from ESS Technology, which is one of the best (if not the best) in the world of DAC chips. All other parameters are also "at the level".
Specifications
- Total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD + N): less than 0.000 2% according to the measurement data
- Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): - 135 dB
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 30 kHz
- Output voltage: RCA 2 V, XLR 4.2 V
- Cross channel interference: - 135 dB
- Power Consumption: <30W
- Headphone output power: 70 mW / 600 Ω; 150 mW / 300 Ω; 280 mW / 150 Ω; 1 W / 32 Ω
- Dynamic range: 133 dB with idle noise less than 1.5 µV
- Chip: ESS Technology SABRE32 Reference DAC / Digital Filter (ES9018S), working with 32-bit Hyperstream ™ for maximum jitter
- USB controller: Combo384 from Italian company Amanero with PCM 384 kHz / 32 bit support
- 5 AD797 chips for voltage adjustment and filtering, 2 OPA1632 chips as buffers
- Transformer: with reduced noise from the Canadian company Plitron
- LT1129 / LT3021 with WIMA Film Capacitors for filtering power to the Saber ES9018 chip
- Analog circuits with high-end components: Panasonic, Vishay BC046, WiMA, MKS2 and NPO for the best sound
- DSD (Direct Strem Digital) decoding support
- 5 filtering modes, allowing the user to select the preferred sound
- User selectable absolute phase inversion (positive or negative)
- Switchable jitter suppressor
- High-precision DPLL automatic tuning, allowing DA8 to adapt to different class sources
- 80-step volume control. Pressing the knob switches the DA8 to the clean DAC mode, disabling the amplifier unit. The DA8 bundle in Yulong A18 amplifier DAC mode is the best sound company solution
- Preamplifier mode with RCA and XLR outputs
- A balanced preamp (XLR output) can also be used as a purely balanced headphone amplifier that works well with almost all headphones on the market, including low-impedance models
- A 6.3 mm headphone amplifier jack for class A is displayed on the front panel. Short-circuit protection is implemented for the connector
- Built-in relay turns off power and output to protect device
- The interface is built using a color 2.4 ″ LCD screen
- Permanent memory for user settings
- Aluminum housing and controls, weighted chassis and special anti-vibration feet
- Compact size that matches the entire product line of the company: 250 mm x 190 mm x 60 mm
- Weight: 2.5 kg
- Two supply voltages: 110-115 V or 220-240 V, which allows using the device throughout the world
- Mac OSX, Linux and Windows support
Appearance and control
Of course, it’s absolutely impossible to approach the design as a device with a retail price of more than $ 1,000, but on the other hand it’s also hard to please everyone. The way out in this situation is usually the same: discreet minimalism. This is the way the developers went. A simple aluminum body in silver color (there is also a black anodized version), metal texture, longitudinal strips to add accents - everything is very strict and stylish. Next to Apple technology, the silver version looks very appropriate, black will be good for those who already have Hi-End technology in black.
Package is the easiest. In addition to the DAC, you get a simple power cord, USB and instructions. There is nothing superfluous, but everything that is needed to immediately use the device, is included in the kit. For those who want to get more from DA8, Yulong proposes to supplement it with a D230 power cord, a P18 power filter and, if desired, a balanced amplifier for A18 headphones.
All the main elements are located on the front and rear panels of the DA8. The front panel houses: power button, headphone jack, screen, 4 control buttons and volume control. Buttons control (top to bottom):
- input selection (USB, Coaxial, Optical, AES / EBU)
- absolute phase inversion
- by filter
- jitter suppressor
All settings are displayed on the screen. In addition to the settings, it also shows the volume level and the sampling frequency of the signal. When you change some settings, the screen lights up to full, but after a few seconds, the backlight reduces the brightness, so even in a dark room - the screen does not interfere.
On the back wall are all the connectors of the device, which are many.
- Inputs: USB, Coaxial, Optical and AES / EBU
- Outputs: RCA and balanced XLR
- Power: IEC cable connector, fuse socket and power switch
By the way, be careful, before turning on, make sure that the power switch is in the correct position. It will be very annoying if he turns out to be 110 volts.
Everything is done at a very high level, everything is of high quality, solid and reliable.
Scheme
Also, everything is perfectly done inside the device. Yulong kindly provides the DA8 circuit diagram for your reference.
For the USB interface, a third-party Combo 384 module from Amanero Technologies is used. Relatively recently, this module has already gained popularity among the DIY-community. With a retail price of less than $ 100, it supports PCM signals up to 384 kHz / 32 bits, and also understands DSD up to DSD512. Yulong engineers used their own DA8 power (although the Combo 384 can be powered by USB), so the possibility of pickups from the computer is excluded, and besides, the DA8 will work with modified USB cables that do not have power cables (what the audiophiles do not get ). Also, a modified firmware was developed for the Combo 384.
The power circuit, improved compared to D18, includes a Plitron toroidal transformer, supplemented by LT1129 and LT3021 regulators with Wima MKS2 capacitors — gives a stable power supply with low idle noise.
The digital part is built on ES9018, included in the Quad-mono scheme. It is complemented by a proprietary digital signal buffer from Yulong, which is designed to correct the known pickiness of the ES9018 to the source.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Sources: Marantz SA8400, MacBook Pro 15 ″ Early 2011
- Headphones: AKG K702, Sennheiser HD 700, Audiotechnica ATH-W1000X, Philips Fidelio X1, Ambient Acoustics AM6 HiRez, Stax SR-5
- Amplifiers: NuForce HAP-100, DIY amplifier 6p13s + 6n2p
Sound DA8, perhaps, exactly the way you expect to hear it from a device with such a price. According to reviews on the Web, the previous model D18 slightly softened the high-frequency range, due to which even not very high-quality recordings sounded good, but in DA8 they avoided this, without spoiling the “ratio” of the DAC to not the highest-quality recordings. It is logical to use the highest quality recordings for such a DAC (the same remasters from MFSL), but, unfortunately, not all music is available as such. Therefore, the ability of Hi-End devices to work with materials of low quality is also of paramount importance. Here, the DA8 does not have the slightest problem, thanks in large part to the ability to control filtering and jitter suppressor.
The effect of the filters is there, but I would not say that it is very noticeable. Sharp and Slow justify their names, and the 50 kHz, 60 kHz and 70 kHz options available for DSD seem to make the sound brighter, but already somewhere on the verge of hearing. More effect from the jitter suppressor, on some sources its inclusion significantly enhances the energy supply.
The ability of DA8 to build stereo panorama is amazing. If necessary, it can easily convey any idea of a sound engineer - from a small chamber concert, ending with the energetics of a lively crowd in a huge stadium. When selecting suitable for the genre of headphones, it gives a stunning effect.
I think it’s not even worth saying that the sound of the DA8 is very clear, without accents, without distortions and obviously audible flaws. He has no genre preferences - it all sounds great.
With very sensitive headphones, using the built-in amplifier is not very convenient, since already somewhere at -50 it sounds very loud, besides there is a slight noise, although this is not critical. On the other hand, it copes quite well with sophisticated HiFiMan HE-500 and Sennhieser HD800 headphones (although the taste features already begin here). In general, headphones with a balanced cable work without problems with the XLR output. I especially liked how the DA8 amplifier works with bright headphones like Audio Technica models.
findings
In the world of audio, it is very difficult to find the border where the growth of quality ends and the price is raised only for the brand and design of the device. There are models that are far superior in price to the Yulong DA8, but at the same time they sound at the same level or even worse. Some “top-end” brands, in principle, do not hesitate to use OEM-stuffing in their own cases (and more Black Gate capacitors!), In my opinion, the DA8 is clearly a different case.
Despite the price, DA8 surprises in all respects. Of course, few people are willing to lay out such a sum for high-quality sound, this solution is far from being for everyone, but high-quality sound enthusiasts should definitely look at the model. An uncompromising solution that can fight on equal terms with virtually any top-end Hi-End models from other manufacturers.
The article is based on materials .
Comments
Post a Comment