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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
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,926 posts
 

just to once again demonstrate that one person's high tea is another's fingerbowl rinse slop

angaria2
3 posts
 

Had the ESS 9039-based Topping D90SE and SMSL DO400.  Swapping back and forth I cannot tell the difference between them (on ribbon headphones).  Both great - clean but not analytical in the bad sense.  

bpoletti
1,595 posts
 

Some sound good others don't.  Some can be modded (by those who know what they're doing) to create a very nice DAC.  

I have two Chinese DACs that were modded by a manufacturer in VERY limited quantities for friends.  They are quite nice but not up to the best quality cost-no-object units.  

Sometimes, you pay your money and take your chances.

 

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kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
300 posts
 

Under $1k Chinese DACs are hard to beat.

Even the American made DACs are using Chinese parts.

Once you get up to $5k or so critical listeners will find the Chinese DACs have some competition.

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