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Comparison of latest DAC chips

I own a Bluesound Node 2i which greatly improved sound after I added the Cat 6 cable.  I do not own a separate DAC but am told it would be the next step improvement.  I have done enough reading that it appears the two latest chips are the Sabre or ESS ES9038PRO and the AK4499.  The brands I have looked at are Sabaj d5($469) and a Topping D90($699).  I saw a great review on Audiocircle of the Sabaj D5 which is now a year old.  The Topping D90 is newer and I hear the build quality of the Topping as well as customer service are both better.   Other brands cost more and most don't use these new chips. 

Is there a difference in how these chips sound?  I would appreciate any comments. 
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Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
@jc4659
The Ayre Codex has one of the most delightful output stages, especially for headphones.

Best,

E
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
Audio Science Review is the Julian Hirsch of DACs. They fail to do science and instead bake-in confirmation bias to everything they hear.
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
-1 on any Oppo DACs. I found them all bright if not screechy. Definitely one to audition before purchasing.
erik_squires
15,663 posts
 
The entire system matters. Power supply, input circuits, USB isolation and output stage design all matter.

I have a Topping DX3 and quite frankly it is just OK despite being the darling of ASR. I mean there’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s also not something I’d suggest you would find worth the spend. I like the Mytek a lot better and I have no idea what is in it.

Prior generations I seemed to favor Burr Brown DACs, but ages and ages ago.
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