Enter the modern hifi world. Try this test.


HiBy FC1 vs. just about any modern or vintage DAC out there. 

Cost? Just around 20 dollars or so.

I doubt anyone will be able to tell a difference with their system. 

Let’s assume  the following case scenario: 

1. same speakers

2. same cables 

3. same amplifier 

 

The test:

Use a 3.5mm cable to RCA or balanced in to your preamplifier or integrated amplifier on a spare input. 

basically, it’s 2v plus a little extra mw, designed to drive headphones. 

If anything it’ll be a bit louder than your system, but fundamentally, you won’t be able to hear any difference between it and any solid-state DAC out there in terms of resolution, detail, timing, or instruments/vocals clarity.

Why? Because digital audio has advanced to the point where we are at its limits, and can shrink down the electronics this small, without sacrificing anything. Just look at how far computers and smartphones have come. Audio reproduction is no different in the digital domain.

frank009

Hi,

I believe most of the participants here are well and truly in the modern HiFi world. I'd suggest they are some of the most educated HiFi people on the planet, so you start off on a very condescending note to those who likely know a lot more than you about getting the music they choose to sound right for them. 

That said DACs are an interesting area as regardless of 'measurements ' or manufacturer they sound different synergistically in individual setups of amplification and speakers, IEMs and headphones. The criteria is not how great the DAC but the entire system. 

If you want to establish that very good sound can be had from today's less expensive electronics you will find little dissenting here as many of us use inexpensive streamer/DACs etc. There are excellent class D amps for a few hundred dollars. Its just our preferences are not for those choices as sound to my ears and yours is different but I don't deny your belief in 'modern' inexpensive digital technology. But,  I thank you for reminding us that we have choices.

 

 

@kirkwallace 

"Does the cable have to be 3.5m? Can’t be shorter?"

"@frank009 i mis-read your first measurement; you were talking about the connector diameter being 3.5 millimeters; I mistakenly thought you were saying one needed a connector cable that was specifically 3.5 meters.  So, to answer my question, presumably a 0.5m, 1m or 1.5mm cable would be fine for conducting this test."

Hi kirkwallace, your first clue should be this guy doesn't even understand the metric system, you asked him twice as I quoted above. He's had since 6:56pm on to Friday to respond to you appropriately. Stupid mistake.

Yeah, and @zlone asked "Have you had a chance to directly compare it with another DAC? What did you use?". Nothing in his profile. Gone!

Like your system!

 

This must be the first time on the Gon $10K hasn't been the suggested outlay needed to make a change worthy of talking about in a digital-sourced system.

I'm sure there are individuals with both a system that resides in the home and also a portable system that may already be taking a punt on this and making a purchase, hence the question about producing a two-channel version.