2. digital
  3. 154586-137654

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. 
128x128daledeee1

Showing 1 response by headphonedreams

headphonedreams
522 posts
 
I don't think the chip is that important. A lot of things around the chip affects the sound and if those part are not done correctly you won't get good sound anyway. 

At some price point the brands tend to start using special chips or technologies but that is when they have fixed everything else. Like dCS and Chord or PS Audio that uses FPGA (a programmable chip).

I heard a Kalista Dreamplay and Dreamplay Stream last weekend and they sounded great. Did not ask what chip it was but it might have been some common chip surrounded by other great parts.
More to discover