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What about all those Chinese DACs?

It seems like everywhere I look, there are DACs from China that have these amazing specs on paper. SNR: >133 dB; THD: 0.000004%;

Dynamic Range: 124dB. If you really think about it, these were specs that almost didn't exist outside of pro-audio gear. A lot of these units have chips from ESS, Cirrus Logic, Texas Instruments and very sophisticated conversion circuitry.

So, my question is, what do you all think?

usatran
tweak1
3,766 posts
 

Ive read quite a few mot recent dac reviews. At under $1000, the Topping D90 Discrete ONE BIT is fabulous HTH

trivema's avatar
trivema
177 posts
 

I have two top of the line Topping DACs in second and third systems and they sound very good.  I also have a Denafrips Pontus II fed by a Denafrips IRIS in my main rig, and it sounds fantastic although measures lower (different topologies). 
 

I guess it depends on application, implementation and synergy with system and room.

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,402 posts
 

+1 specs are nearly irrelevant in determining the sound quality of components. 

bassbuyer's avatar
bassbuyer
880 posts
 

I’ve heard some great DACs from China.  I have WiiM, Blusound and the best is my Holo Audio Cyan 2.  

alexopth1512
23 posts
 

I have owned various SMSL, Topping D90SE and Audio-GD D-7.

SMSL are really value devices, and moving towards bigger price, there was an improvement.

Tried too hard but never managed to accept the D90SE, very dark background, tight bass, good voices and somehow airy highs. But lacks so much life that never accepted as premium device.

Audio-GD was the best china I had, really good device.

 

 

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