What's the Best DAC for the Money - DAC Tier List - 25 DACS in 22 Minutes wt 3 Child Interruptions!

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S Tier
Geshelli J2 (Forgot to Mention in the Video) bit.ly/3l9ND4b
Schiit Modi 3+ amzn.to/3AyzvHq
Earstudio M100 ii amzn.to/2YwT2el
Apple lighting to 3.5mm amzn.to/2YJ2nzw
Denafrips Ares 2 bit.ly/3Av6Kwc
A Tier
Topping E50 amzn.to/3iMJSku
Hidizs S9Pro bit.ly/3iSyqo5
B Tier
SMSL SU8s amzn.to/3mI4fkf
Schiit Bifrost 2 bit.ly/3lp6qtx
Orchard Audio Pecan Pi bit.ly/3Fwbcxc
FX Audio D01 amzn.to/30dxfJ5
Prozor amzn.to/2YF10Sz
Helm Bolt amzn.to/3AuaMDM
Soncoz LAQXD1 bit.ly/38FFIpq
Topping EX5 amzn.to/3Duww4i
C Tier
SMSL Sanskrit amzn.to/3DqF902
Dragonfly Red amzn.to/3Ft8fhb
Ifi Zen amzn.to/3oOodfW
SMSL M300 ii amzn.to/3FA5LgI
D Tier
Matrix Mini Pro bit.ly/3DqFAYe
Topping D50s amzn.to/3Fv4yrd
SMSL M200 amzn.to/2YF1A2H
F Tier
Ifi Neo IDSD amzn.to/3mK8SdI
Topping E30 amzn.to/3BsjQut
Topping D90se amzn.to/3akLVYJ
Hifiberry (Not a DAC) digi hat amzn.to/3Dsbpjm
Amazon Music and Disney Plus Free Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9
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Recommended Speaker List
Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Sony SSCS5 - Lively amzn.to/3pZNnGk
Pioneer AJ First Gen - Laid Back
Neumi BS5 -Neutral amzn.to/3q0SR3B
Around $200
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ - Crystal Clear and Punchy emotiva.com?aff=9
Elac Debut b5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/2WPNQxw
Wharfedale Diamond 11.2 (In and Out of Stock) - Laid Back/Bassy/Detailed amzn.to/37W8hPA
JBL Stage A130 - Neutral/Great All Arounder at $179 the best value amzn.to/3t7gOHe
Around $400
Klipsch RP600M - Neutral amzn.to/3pBoXCf (This speaker’s price can fluctuate between $440-630 which is really dumb)
Jamo C93ii Bit - Boosted on Top amzn.to/3beIG6F (Can also be found cheaper at Crutchfield)
Q Acoustics 3030i - Neutral with Punch - amzn.to/2OQkpLo
Around $500
SVS Prime bit.ly/2LozJgF
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 bit.ly/2ZckoD9
Around $600
Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/3s3srPG
Elac Debut Reference - Buttery but Detailed amzn.to/39bt6WC
Polk Reserve R100 - Neutral
Aperion Novus - Neutral and probably the best desktop speaker one can get $599 bit.ly/2Q1H9rW
Aperion Novus Open Box $449 bit.ly/3us8zGx
Wharfedale Diamonds Lush and Detailed amzn.to/3aBAso0 Come as singles
Recommended Amp List
Under $100
Aiyima A07 - Neutral and Full amzn.to/3g9YLNf
Around $130
SMSL AD18 - DAC/Amp Lively on top but solid tone controls amzn.to/3rVZxkN
SMSL SA300 $140 amzn.to/3u83oLs
Around $250
SMSL DA-9 Balanced Amp amzn.to/34SdbLs
Around $400
Emotiva TA-100 - DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs - Balanced and Tasty emotiva.com?aff=9
Vista Audio Spark www.vista-audio...
Recommended DACs
Ifi Zen DAC amzn.to/2T3wuyY
FX D01 amzn.to/3d9GY6U
SMSL SU8s amzn.to/2SWTGiw
Denafrips Ares 2 www.denafrips....
Subs
Emotiva SE8 emotiva.com?aff=9
Emotiva SE12 emotiva.com?aff=9
SVS SB1000 Pro bit.ly/3scmwsc

Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 779

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

@KevinTernes 3 года назад

Randy, what is your justtification for placing the Geshelli J2 in S?

@petermortensen2405 3 года назад

I'm using the EarStudio M100 Mk 2 with my HiFiMan Sundara and it's quite awesome with the companion app. Lots of much more expensive DACs fail by lack of proper EQ and other essentials. Most headphones and speakers at any price can benefit from some careful EQ.

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

@@KevinTernes balanced. Sounds similar to d90se. Great soundstage. $300

@kateg151 3 года назад

Hey Randy. I do have a Dragonfly Cobalt and Apple Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. I don't think I can tell the difference in sound quality, the Apple adapter is just a little bit "rolled off" but no lack of details and which is "warm sounding" in "sound signature" if I speak in "audiophile's language''. Maybe that is why Apple never mentioned cutting edge DAC in their new products announcement event.

@deathowner88 3 года назад

Thanks Randy you already answered my question I came here to the comments just to do that ask about the gicelli.

@canjo7301 2 года назад

Never apologize for being interrupted by your children. They will be grown up and gone before you know it, cherish every moment you get to spend with them.

@seancurtin5131 2 года назад

BS, 20 to 30 years is not a short time and it's life sucking.

@CarefreeRambler 2 года назад

I agree but doing the opposite.

@logotrikes 2 года назад

Couldn't agree more dude. You'll regret all the things you didn't do when you had the chance to do them. Sounds a bit trite, but true nonetheless..

@patrickheredia1431 2 года назад

Yeah no worries. I'm there with ya my dood. 3 under 2.

@harisjaved1379 2 года назад

Agreed!

@djstevev6793 3 года назад

I don't care what you are reviewing...you are funny as heck...continued success!

@odwatchguy 3 года назад

Thanks Randy, really appreciate you listing the different tiers for dacs. I know all things are subjective but I watch because you give your honest opinion and don't worry about what some people say.

@donpettit7107 3 года назад

Hey Randy…I think you promised me a tiered list or better yet, an X-Y graph of cost vs sound quality (maybe color coding warm vs analytical for amp matching) for speakers a while back…did I miss that? Would still love to see that…and maybe one for amps as well! Keep up the hard work…we are beneficiaries of that with every video.

@SteveRyder 3 года назад

This idea is far better than a tier list which is either performance or value but not both.

@photodesignch 3 года назад

Are you suggesting the hot & crazy scale? :p

@miquifaye 2 года назад

SMSL su-8 should be in S tier . for such an inexpensive DAC , it actually performs well in a HIGH END system and budget system. The same can be said for Bifrost 2. Congratulations for the success of your channel.

@ferdinandquintos6524 Год назад

Practical, no-nonsense, real world comments -- fun on the side! Great work Sir!

@LeDechaine 3 года назад

If you have a SMSL M100 and find it too bright, use your remote to set the filter to FL4. FL4 lowers the treble to -5dB @ 20khz (maybe even -5dB @ 15khz - that’s a really smooth slope, really makes a difference).

@thunderpooch 2 года назад

15khz is mostly inaudible, especially as one ages, and most music doesn't even contain much content at those levels. I wonder if it's an issue with the device 🤔

@LeDechaine 2 года назад

@@thunderpooch It's more that I have weird hearing quirks and I can very much hear 15khz+ (too much actually) so that helped.

@brandongardner2853 2 года назад

Great job man thank you for all the great vids and showing how to save and have great sound and being respectful over the kids they are truly a gift my 2 are the best thing that ever happened to me have a son and daughter my best friends my son got me back into audio he is such a good little guy blessed keep up the hard amazing work thank you again man

@CovertOperative 2 года назад

The best value standalone DAC is the Soncoz SGD1 at GBP 349.99. The best value DAC within an integrated amplifier with bluetooth, headphone amplifier and phono stage, is the Audiolab 6000A at GBP 599.99.

@cheapaudioman 2 года назад

There you have it. Covert Operative has spoken

@tmdillon1969 11 месяцев назад

I bought the Topping E50. Worked for two hours and then sent a "d3" defective unit code. I'm going to send it back and go with the Emotiva BasX unit. Buy once cry once rather than roll the Chi-fi quality control dice on this one.

@harackmw 3 года назад

Some day when you get real sponsors I hope the style of delivery remains the same.😀

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

Lol. Me too

@deeplyclosetedindividual 3 года назад

What do you mean, they're not real?!

@harackmw 2 года назад

@@deeplyclosetedindividual As real as you need them to be!

@adrianmorrish8494 2 года назад

Hang on I bought the audiophile sander last week, had to haggle him up from $390 to $797 and still wasn't sure I was paying enough.

@Dark-Star Год назад

Check out the Fosi Audio K4, not to be confused with the Q4, only available on the Fosi Audio website. The Fosi Audio K4 is unique in that it’s the only DAC with separate bass and treble controls sporting a TI PCM-5100 DAC feeding an excellent Analog Devices MAX97220 headphone amp/ preamp chip. Its got usb-c, toss-link, and coax inputs, as well as RCA preamp outputs. I’ve compared this humble $67.00 dollar DAC to about a dozen other DAC/ headphone amps from the $180.00 dollar HipDac to the $1000.00 dollar plus Diablo, and none of them sound as good as this Fosi Audio K4! I do react very positively to TI DACs and Analog Devices DACs and Amp chips, but a lot of those DACs I compared the Fosi Audio K4 to had TI Burr Brown DACs. However, none had separate Bass and Treble controls like the humble K4. I use those controls constantly. Not everyone will hear the way I hear, but I think the Fosi Audio K4 might be a possible giant killer, maybe. Certainly worth consideration at this price point. Indeed, regardless of price, I would choose the K4 over the Diablo and the HipDac and everything else. I can always get this humble little thing to sound exactly the way I want it to. However, I don’t like the Fosi Audio Q4 at all, and it’s more expensive and very popular. The Q4 has a Cirrus Logic DAC. That might be why I don’t like it. Of course, these are just my subjective perceptions. I have freakishly sensitive hearing and my ears are almost impossible to please.

@elkinavila 3 года назад

Great video Randy! Lots of substance and information and still fun! Keep on mate!

@IdiotAudio Год назад

For some reason this video autoplayed after I watched New Record Day's latest post. I still watched it all. Thanks for this Randy!

@wric01 2 года назад

R2r Cayin ru6 for smartphones smacks all of them down. Yes folks batteries are silent vs noisy home electrical, you spend a fortune to quiet it down.

@carlsitler9071 3 года назад

I did an A/B with the Schiit Multibit and the Sanskrit 2 and bought the Sanskrit. The Sanskrit is much better as it has a remote.

@edhirxtrastrange 3 года назад

Very surprised where you put Topping E30. I bought the stack after watching a few reviews including yours

@editorjuno 3 года назад

I just got my E30 and I agree that Randy dropped the ball. It's right up there with best, with a very low noise floor and near-zero distortion compared to my Behringer UMC202HD's perfectly adequate DAC section -- and I paid only $125 via Drop.

@madsfrancke6538 2 года назад

I am a bit confused. In his E30 test, he said it was very good. Now later, it is harsh and fatiguing. Where did this all change so suddenly? Randy, did you talk about another Topping Dac in this video?

@JPWinters 2 года назад

E30 made the AVR DAC sound like crap. Good value. But I'm using Bifrost 2 now. Worth the upgrade.

@edisonantony7582 2 года назад

TOPPING DX3PRO+ USB DAC QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.0 CSS ES9038Q2M XMOS XU208 DSD512 APTX-HD Headphone Output AMP LDAC DX3 PRO. will you please review this item.

@svpolarexpress 2 года назад

I really enjoy your videos, but being an engineer, I must say that I get a stomach ache when I hear MQA being a "feature". I would encourage people to do their homework, run tests and look past MQA's shiny marketing claims. Unfortunately MQA is not lossless, in fact some other people ran tests and found significant oversampling aliasing that mirrors HF signals back into into the audible range, especially in the "folded" 44.1/16 versions. "Unfolding" and "rendering" the MQA file, and playing back at 88.2 reduces the aliasing, but introduces significant noise certainly not present in source files. This silly MQA, which authenticates absolutely nothing, ruined Tidal for me. My respect for their marketing staff, which fooled me for quite some time!

@aranc23 2 года назад

I like it when mqa is mentioned for any reason as it makes it easy to eliminate products from consideration :) but yeah, I wish it was called out as the junk it is.

@Thee_Jadex 2 года назад

Did Josh dirty wit that one, that sounds so freaking personal

@syndicatedshannon 2 года назад

I agree with some here who say a comprehensive "shootout" like this, but a "tier list" is better suited to a single-axis comparison, rather than the price vs. performance. When you said you were placing items below poorer performing products, it became hard to parse your content. Side note: I love that your presentation style is fast-paced, and yet still so relaxed that it feels natural for you to leave your child interruptions in the video.

@syndicatedshannon 2 года назад

I would love to see the same shootout with performance on the Y axis and price on the X.

@cheapaudioman 2 года назад

I’ll make sure I do it better next time

@theemusicman 2 года назад

What do you think would compliment an Audeze Sine for portability? I was thinking about the Hidizs S9 Pro. BTW I love that you kept your children in the video! A parent is always on duty.

@akersquarteracre8002 3 года назад

Cool review Randy. I'm really enjoying the FX AUDIO DAC-X6 MKII, it's not on this tier list but I'd be curious where it would end up if it was. I think it is a wonderful sounding DAC/headphone amp as-is, as a bonus the Op amp is replaceable so you can fine tune the sound to your liking... for only $80 shipped. Next on my list to try is the Modi 3+, at $120 it sounds like a helluva bargain.

@rajendrabiswas 2 года назад

I am Looking for DAC amp for movies gaming surround sound feel is the FX audio good

@akersquarteracre8002 2 года назад

@@rajendrabiswas It's a great budget-friendly DAC with very good sound as-is, but I wouldn't be able to tell you how good compared to others as I have had very little experience. The fact that it has a replaceable Op amp makes it very versatile, since you can fine tune the sound cheaply and easily just by swapping it out for a different one. That said, the OPA2134 op amp that is included is a very good one to begin with.

@rajendrabiswas 2 года назад

@@akersquarteracre8002 here in india I am Looking for my first DAC amp for my HD 599 . I have in mind xduo basic x5d or schiit hel 2 or soemthing like FX audio but I can’t find them here in right price .. I am some one who loves my iPhone earbud and this surround spatial feel when I listen music games movies .. it raised the bar ... but I hope the DACs can juice up my HD 599 as well ..

@inmedicalschool3541 2 года назад

@@rajendrabiswas from where are u buying ?

@xophere 2 года назад

I love the ES100 but the Qudelix is just a way better user exp.

@chickenluverful 3 года назад

Biscuit 👍🏻 good job dad. I love seeing men being men by being their for their family. Nicely done list too. Bang for buck is the name of the game that represents where tech is for cost. Love it all

@mvv1408 2 года назад

E30 harsh 🤨? Is that the version with the AKM or the Cirrus Logic receiver chip? Imho the E30 / AKM is not harsh at all, quite the opposite...

@Sporting1210 3 года назад

Bifrost B while denafrips is S? i am cofused. They sound different but both great, and that is subjective anyway. the Bifrost is a wee bit cheaper and based on value i would have expected these two in the same tier.

@soulshinobi 3 года назад

Never heard any reviewer gush about the sound of the Bifrost like every reviewed does about the Denafrips.

@Sporting1210 3 года назад

@@soulshinobi well, yes. And i am not denying the qualities of the Ares II, but this list was majorly about value, wasn't it? So tell me how good does a freaking DAC have to sound to be S class value at 1100$ ? I would alrdy consider the Bifrost on the pricy side for a dac, So does the Ares II sound 300$ better then the Bifrost ?^^ I mean even in build quality these two are not really apart, which is and always was one of the strength of Schiit products. so as i said: i am just a bit confused about the gap.

@soulshinobi 3 года назад

@@Sporting1210 "So does the Ares II sound 300$ better then the Bifrost" I haven't heard them myself, but from every review I've seen the answer is yes.

@djclass005 3 года назад

This was very interesting, the value proposition is great! Thanks

@patrickbranin5243 2 года назад

18:30 - "Sorry, I'm not very good at this." Only the best there is. Plus, at only one hundred and twenty-five hundred dollars, a deal at half the price...

@Psyphonyx_Life 3 года назад

Dad Acting Caringly =) .... Excellent DAC review.

@lajostresser482 Год назад

A noobie question; for my home stereo; Adcom GFA 555 (1988) Adcom GFP 915 preamp (the only recent purchase because the old GFP 555 just died), Yamaha TX 492 tuner (2) Yamaha 585 CD changers and a pair of Klipsch La Scala speakers also from 1988, what sound improvement if any could I except by adding a good quality DAC say the Denafrips Ares II? Or do I need an such an addition at all to my system? Although I have watched several of your excellent videos on the subject but just the same I probably are still a DAC agnostic. Your advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Best regards. Lajos

@tommywingate2220 2 года назад

I enjoy the cheap audio guy he has lotsa info and a good delivery. My only complaint is that he will always error on the side of cheap. His top 10 all time favorite speakers contained some cheap speakers that’s not realistic. I’m continuing to enjoy his presentations just needed to say it out loud . Thank you.

@Matoro342 2 года назад

I plan on getting the Schiit Hel 2 for $200. DAC/AMP combo, also has a mic in.

@drivelogic3841 3 года назад

i love the Child interruption ~!!! Closed the door please ~!! hahahah

@OkieDokieSmokie 3 года назад

Glad to see the DAC I already bought in S tier.

@rosswarren436 3 года назад

Got the Schiit Modi 3+ awhile back. It does everything I need it to without sounding too thin and analytical. Yes, there are definitely better, but price to value ratio is high. I might get a better DAC someday, but it would have to be something like the Denafrips I think to get an increase in quality to justify it. Would love to hear a Geshelli J2 though. Great review and tier list. Will help a lot of people decide.

@vavent_ 2 года назад

Pls, commit proper blind A/B/X test with matched volume between your modi and denafrips and you will open your eyes. Your modi sounds just great, he is doing his job and that's all, headphones/speakers change sound, not other components, save your money and buy better headphones, if you don't own Susvara already, I don't see why you should burn your money, just buy better HP if you want better sound

@rosswarren436 2 года назад

@@vavent_ maybe. I've not heard the Denafrips Ares II or Pontius. The two external DACs I have are the Modi 2 and the FiiO BTR5-2021. The Modi is AKM based and the FiiO is ESS based. Everything I've read says both the implementation of the DAC chip, the power supply, and most of all the analog output stage affects the sound more than the chip itself. Still, a lot of "audiophiles" fawn all over the Ares II and its old school R2R DAC. At the end of the day would I hear an appreciable difference, and if so, would it be something I would prefer? As you stated, instead of spending another $1000 to $2000 on another DAC, why not get a set of better speakers, headphones, or even a new amp - maybe try out a tube Willsenton R8 or R800. BTW, I'm deciding between HiFiMan Sundara or Sennheiser HD660 S in the $400 range. I have a Schiit Mani headphone amp and it powers about anything. Currently I have a very old pair of AKG K240 Monitors that are 600 Ohms and it can make them jam plenty loud. The $6000 Susvara are out of my price range.

@vavent_ 2 года назад

@@rosswarren436 have Sundara and Hd650, both are beautiful, but to my taste planar headphones from HiFiman just sound better, solid state amps also sounds the same, if they're made good. Schiit top of the line desktop amp Jot2 cost 400$, deliver 6w at 32ohms, have good measurements and different features, better than this you can't find, but it's about Solid States(SS) amps. Tube amps is another story, have seen one tube amp for 4500€, well they give harmonic distortion to the sound, someone likes, someone don't. If you need more power/features/outputs/inputs only then buy new amp, otherwise use what you already have, because sonic differences can be 0 I tested, but without blind testing and volume matching(so this test dont provide objective conclusions), I hardly heard differences between my IMac internal dac/amp and external iFi Zen Dac and Topping DX3Pro, while between Sundara and 650 I CLEARLY HEAR DIFFERENCES So be careful, reviewers can say anything they are paid for, better buy new headphones

@rosswarren436 2 года назад

@@vavent_ thanks. I'll try seeing if I can hear some HD 660 S and might order the Sundara. I could send them back if I have to I guess within the 30 day return period. Do the Sundara have what you'd call good bass? Does it go down low with definition? My nephew has their HE-400 (I can't remember which model, the "i" I think). And it sounds pretty good to me. I've read a few reviews of the HD 660 S where they say it seems like they took the "best" qualities of the 650 and 800 and created a better sounding headphone than the HD-700, with more pleasing highs. Thanks again.

@TheRealAudioDidact 2 года назад

LOL. I have the PONTUS II, the model higher than the Ares, and to me it's a mid-high tier DAC. I want a VENUS next then a Terminator PLUS. Now we are talking S Tier!

@jukingeo Месяц назад

Where's the Geshelli J2? How come it didn't make the list at all?

@ferdi9554 3 года назад

Oh that's a great idea! It's still a personal preference but at least it's cool to compare!

@paulc7190 2 года назад

Thanks for this - I have the SMSL M200 and wondered if I could do better? It was my first DAC and sounded ok to me ... I guess I should expect even better with the higher tier DACs. ( Could a tier list be done for speakers? )

@123456789million 3 года назад

I’m so happy you didn’t edit out your child interrupting. It was cute and wholesome.

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

Appreciate that. Try to keep it real over here. Most of us are just normal folks with normal interruptions.

@jari121 3 года назад

SMSL Sanskrit and Topping E30 have same dac-chip, same price and same sound. Both have remote and display. SMSL C and Topping F tier?

@JonCurcio 3 года назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-naTV0HPxTO8.html

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

Yeah. Crazy isn't it?

@jari121 3 года назад

@@JonCurcio Topping sounds just a little bit more detailed. If I close my eyes while listening, I can’t always hear which one is playing. Maybe younger ones can hear because I hear highs only up to 14kHz.

@JonCurcio 3 года назад

@@jari121 When I close my eyes I find the blackness a bit distracting.

@9XThunder 2 года назад

Best dac for the money is 100% the mydac !!! I had over 130 dacs in the past incl altmann, audio note, resolution audio, wyred4sound etc. But none have the price performance from the mydac !! Of course are there better dacs (audio note) but cost alot more !

@atoz6552 3 года назад

Excellent value list! Some truth had to be told abouit certain products and thanks for that! Is the E50 that better than the Zen?

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

Yes. I believe so

@atoz6552 3 года назад

@@cheapaudioman Yikes! The Ares 2 is now over 1k$. Well, I want it to have MQA decoding for that price.

@Feliciano12v 3 года назад

Their website shows Singapore dollars. They recently upped the price to US$800 or so.

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

@@atoz6552 need to switch the currency to US dollars

@pinoyxbox 3 года назад

Aww i thought it’s gonna be ranked base on the sound quality and features then i saw Bifrost on B tier 😬 Can’t complain about denafrips ares as i own one lol 😂

@mongo2044 2 года назад

The S and A group is spot on for ROI for the cheap music listener. For now. Although, I think the Hidizs S9 and S9Pro are an S. Price and performance is nearly impossible to beat. The only negative on it is the poor customer service.

@JoeFPSGamer 3 года назад

It is weird.. most of the audio enthusiasts prefer more the AKM chipset over the Sabre ESS, but it is OK. This is your preference and your tier list ;)

@brentm5333 Год назад

@cheapaudioman Would you see any benefit to running a WIIM Pro into a Geshelli Labs J2? Thanks, Brent

@cszulu2000 Год назад

Where would the Xbox series x fall in the list? Sounds pretty good on my denon and b&w 602.3 speakers...

@krupkake1 3 года назад

Nice. Which is a good dac to upgrade my Bluesound node streamer?

@buffal0bilious 2 года назад

It's fun to hear such a broad range of devices discussed all in a row like that. I love my Modi 3 (I don't have the 3+), but I got my hands on the Modius a few months ago, and I think it's fantastic. Even more resolving and dimensional (IE soundstage, imaging, separation) and still well within the realm of attainability ($199).

@jdnyc718 3 года назад

Doug was the first MMA fighter to strangle a ref with his own shoelaces.. brutal.

@deecee2837 2 года назад

Was that the Sith Audio child/midget bracelet you've been holding back on? Their sourcing of imported items to brand, market, & mark-up to audiophiles never ceases to impress & amuse. Make sure their V2 version has elastic.

@stephens2r338 2 года назад

Personally l would look for a higher quality dac on the used market. In this price bracket you can get big improvement for just a little extra.

@Benvos 3 года назад

Your reviews are honest and enjoyable, so much so I’m now dying to hear your views on expensive DACs like the Holo Audio range or the more expensive Denafrips models. Maybe one day you’ll surprise everyone with a video on high end audio.

@tinderella2386 2 года назад

Unless you’re absolutely loaded, like well over $100k a year job, I don’t understand the want or desire for these high end audio products. It’s like you’d probably notice a bigger difference between an entry level system and going and getting your ears professionally cleaned by an audiologist, then you would between a entry level and high end system. And I honestly feel like there’s such a stupid subtle difference even IF I was loaded I’d never be able to justify it. Like $500 speakers. $1000 amp. $600-$1000 DAC is more then Anyone could ever need.

@ZM-ij2hx 2 года назад

What's to be said about a $3K DAC? It'll sound great, but you're paying a ton. It's not what the channel is.

@AKL764 3 года назад

Please try the L&P W2 dongle dac, I promise it sounds better than my Fiio M15 $1300 DAP, it costs $300 but it's the best dongle dac ever imo. Cheers from a fan and subscriber.

@fabiolopes5700 2 года назад

Can w2 push hard to drive iem's to their full capacity and good headroom?

@rmzidann 2 года назад

I think the SMSL M200 is a nice DAC. It’s got LDAC and an AKM chip. Not bad.

@claytonmiddleton5997 2 года назад

Curious where my Cyrus Soundkey would have landed. I enjoy it and have no regrets with it. That said I am now looking for a desktop dac to use between my laptop and Edifier R1700BTs powered speakers.

@ccmm9868 2 года назад

I enjoyed it very much. I would like to know your tier for Cambridge Audio DACmagic 200M? I'm comparing this with Denafrips Ares 2. My priority is music, mostly classical music. I would appreciate if you could give me some idea.

@chrismorrow4392 Год назад

Same. I am looking for an upgrade to my dacmagic plus. The topping was not it. Curious about the 200m.

@WilliamVezina-zs5us 4 месяца назад

Is it worth getting external DAC? With the Pioneer Sony CD Elac speakers

@Golden2Talon Месяц назад

How do I know what kind of shape my headphones have? I have Audio technica ath-1000x

@nesutoneko 2 года назад

I can get a gently used Gugnir Multibit from a friend for $850, trying to decide between it and a Denafrip Ares 2...?

@rickhunt3183 Год назад

If you are still using a 25 dollar pair of ear buds you won't hear the benefits of having a good dac. If music is important to you, and are you are using a 300 or more pair of Sennheiser's you can hear the differences provided you have good source material.

@angrygirl7083 2 года назад

Sorry Randy, I don't get it at all. My cd, dvd player have DACs build in, so has my amp. So why do I need a DAC? Besides that, I wouldn't know how to connect it.

@V1ralB1ack 2 года назад

When you go seperate you get better sound generally because less interference and having a dedicated device. Think about it what's the best way to have better quality sound? upgrade the source and after that the source is decoded by the dac from digital to analog. Devices that have dacs built in are usually sharing their power and as sound plays sometimes it gets more demanding and sometimes it's quieter. When you have a dedicated dac with a good low noise transformer the power is consistent. When it's all in one box and sharing power and space if power is needed but not flowing smoothly or unavailable it creates brighter, edgier and harsher sound because the dac will still try to do its job but the power is lagging behind. This is why the best dacs have 2 low noise transformers with lots of regulation. One for the digital side and one for the analog side. Transformers are the most expensive part of audio equipment so this drives the price much higher and if the transformer is high quality and low noise it makes the price even higher. Everyone compares dac chips and implementations but this is a simple way to identify great Dacs. Look at what's powering it. Dac chips today are all amazing. Ess Sabre akm and all have brilliant minds and true geniuses making the chips available and cheap but transformers are made of high purity copper wound together and treated and sealed and copper is used for everything and that's where the price comes from. I hope this helps to understand and best of luck.

@hopsonz28 2 года назад

No Pro-Ject Pre Box S2? Dual ESS Sabre 9038 chips!

@atticusrussell1225 2 года назад

Hey Randy - what are the odds that next tier list you do you might be able to order them based on sound and not value - because the viewer can kind of find the price but not the pure sound opinion without hearing it

@davdidit6 3 года назад

For a budget home theater I need a Dac with remote. I have an amp and JBL 530. Is the Sanskrit the way to go? Any suggestions in that price range? I am considering the Loxjie A30 but the extra $40 does not seem worth it.

@christinearmington 2 года назад

Very helpful. Thanks 👍

@FlyGuy457 3 года назад

Oh heck man,, it's ok when child comes in. It is who you are and we understand. Too many DACS, a lot of details but this really helps my next step. Keep on!

@wontonzilla 3 года назад

8 months ago you reviewed the topping e30 and said it "sounds great and a great value and a great dac" Today you "can't even listen to it"and it's bottom of the list. What changed?

@AenimaEater 3 года назад

Was wondering the same...

@sergeysmelnik 3 года назад

He doesnt know what hes talking about

@Feliciano12v 3 года назад

Maybe he has heard better sounding units which pushed it to the bottom of the list.

@musicm8kr 3 года назад

If it sounds harsh now, it would've sounded harsh then (during his first review)...

@mongo2044 2 года назад

Sometimes I cannot listen to my favorite DAC. Harshness seems to be the big thing with it. So I use a softer sounding one. The mammalian inner ear is one friggin amazing piece of evolution. People have no idea. Many chambers. Different cells and even crystals that float on a jelly! People also listen to music too loudly for too long. If you limit to no more than an hour a day, you should be OK. But it is cumulative. If you burn up your ears in an hour, it will be elevator levels the rest of the day. Also, as you age, your hearing goes to hell. Starting in your early 20s! But more noticeable by mid 40s. Especially for men. All of this adds up. A DAC really needs a month of testing and comparison to be sure. Even then, as always, the audio engineering is what really matters the most! I have some 16/44.1 recordings that are incredible. But there are plenty of 24/192 or higher that are garbage. Many pop recordings after 2000 are also heavily over manipulated and in doing so, they eat up resolution. Some pop music is only 8 bits! This is why used CDs are a big bargain right now. Cheap. You own them. The Sony and Phillips engineers knew what they were doing and 16/44.1 is really all 95% of us need!

@joelhansen7373 3 года назад

I would find this more useful if you first rated their sound quality & features without considering their cost. Then once you have them classified as, say A class, you show cost by its placement horizontally with the cheapest to the left & the most expensive to the right. So the sweet spot is higher & to the left. That way you could look & see what are the best DAC’s for under a $100 or the top contenders for around $200-$250 or the best irregardless of price. A combined rating mixing cost, sound quality & features into a single combined score just isn’t as useful.

@scotto541 3 года назад

Agreed, while I Really loved the vid and want more of them, THIS is what I was hoping for. I watch because I trust your opinion (and like how you present it). With a pure SQ ranking I could just scrub the list for my budget and be happy.

@quincyfreeman2901 3 года назад

That seems like a big ask… knowing your own budget, you could easily just see what’s at the top in you price range and connection style needs.

@tomons8059 3 года назад

I totally agree. IMHO It's more usefull if the tier is based on sound and not the price. You can fit your budget thereafter--and budget is flexible.

@chrisandrew_tv 2 года назад

See the name of his channel...😂

@westernartifact580 2 года назад

Good idea

@governmentliars4673 3 года назад

Look Randy...how did you bloody well know...I've been after Sith Audio Plastic Japanese Fighting Sword Replicas for like...EVER! Come on, Randy spill...where d'ya get it...

@Rob-lz5iz Год назад

Time to update or delete this video - Many of the links say "Product Unavailable" - kind of frustrating.

@habasescuandrei8145 Год назад

Came in looking for some advice regarding my first DAC for my upcoming setup. Got not only that, but also witnessed one of the most wholesome dad moments on the platform. Great content, brief yet detailed, touched on the most important parts when it comes to purchasing such a device. Getting pretty long here but thanks for the video, quality stuff. Keep up the good work.

@fletchermunson6225 3 года назад

Any truth to the rumor that Zeos moonlights as a life coach?

@HDJMorrison 2 года назад

I must be deaf, I can't tell apart E30, D10s (Balanced), Ares II, E50, D90SE, my friend who own some of those can... but at the same he can't tell apart headphones from different batches and I can.

@governmentliars4673 3 года назад

New Product Alert - Sith Audio Child Remote Control...'Stops your kids interrupting in a non-psychologically damaging way - You KNOW you want one...'!!

@greenbeginner3353 3 года назад

Didn’t Adam Sandler do a movie about that product?

@seanoreilly8603 3 года назад

Geshelli j2 for me at the moment. Got it on your recommendation and arrived here in Ireland in 6 days. Really good DAC and every bit as good as the audiolab m-dac + I had at 3 times the price. Well done Geshelli.

@barrystamp8600 3 года назад

Hi Sean, where did you purchase? How about custom fees into IRL?

@seanoreilly8603 3 года назад

@@barrystamp8600 Hi Barry. Straight from Geshelli labs in Florida, lovely to deal with. €25 delivery to my door in Dublin. No customs fee yet. Its 2 weeks since I got it. So don't expect a vat or tax bill at this stage. Hopefully. Have had tax and vat bills in the past. Don't know how it bypassed customs. But got a schiit mani from schitt to my door in the past, also avoided customs.

@barrystamp8600 2 года назад

@@seanoreilly8603 Thanks Sean, looking at this or maybe the new Topping DX3 PRO+.

@seanoreilly8603 2 года назад

@@barrystamp8600 don't know the topping. But the Geshelli still good. If you are in Ireland, I was hit with a very late FedEx customs bill for €57. I paid it. But dac still only stands me €350 or maybe a little less actually. 2 x coaxial and 2 x optical out. Plus I paid extra for the USB port. You could save if not needed.

@tabithamaydavis5792 3 года назад

You know, got “nuutttin’ but luv” fer ya, but I’m not feelin’ your show this time. Here’s the deal: Y’a said the ratings were based on value, BUT you from time to time seamed to base a resting on quality of sound. So for me things got a bit muddled. Recommendation: Do two ratings. One on value, AND one on sheer sound quality regardless of value. That would be helpful. Just suggestin’

@cheapaudioman 3 года назад

It was value for the sound. If that makes sense.

@tabithamaydavis5792 3 года назад

Got it, but your show is all about value for sound, so what you review is by definition “value” equipment. So if you did just a rating on sound from the list of value equipment you already work with, what would that list look like?, what would the ratings look like? I suspect it would look different. Would love to see that rating. But hay, got NBL (Nuttin’-But-Luv) for your YT channel!

@christophernoto 3 года назад

@@cheapaudioman Maybe you could include the explicit rating of each item in one of these Tier Lists on two variables: Audio Quality and Price. If each was rated on a similar scale, say “Zero to Ten,” then you could put that scale on the X and Y axes and drag each item’s chart icon to its spot, as you discuss how you came to your judgment on the particular item. What do you think?

@tabithamaydavis5792 3 года назад

@@christophernoto you r onto something…but the struggle is the limitations of an X / Y structure. Maybe… X (vertical) = List of equipment (DAC) Y (horizontal) = Rating 1 (value) | Rating 2 (sound quality) S1 = High sound quality V1 = High value quality Eqpmt. V1 S1 V2 S2 V3 S3 DAC1. X. X DAC2. X. X DAC3. X. X DAC4. X. X Just an idea….

@tabithamaydavis5792 3 года назад

Also…you could put the pic’s of the DAC’s under the equipment column

@michaelgillam3475 3 года назад

right before they were eaten by sharks, that's why I watch this, love it

@richardsmith2721 3 года назад

I completely agree with your assessment of the Topping E30. I sent it back because it was an ear burner. So many people were saying how wonderful it was when it came out. They kept going on and on about the wonderful measurements. Where we differ is on the SMSL Sanskrit MKII and Schiit Modi 3+. I have the opposite impressions of them. I find the SMSL to be smoother in the mids and highs and it certainly isn't thin sounding to me. I like the Modi, except I can't stand the bright LED. It gives me flashbacks to gaming rigs from 15 years ago.

@enutrofdude Год назад

I bought a Dragonfly Red nearly seven years ago, and have been quite pleased with its performance. If I'd watched this video first, I might have bought something else instead. I'm not feeling an urgent need to upgrade at this time, but this is an excellent video for people who want to purchase their first DAC... which should be everyone who does not currently have one. Thanks! Edit: Wow, that Geshelli J2 looks wonderful. Now I actually have a slight urge to upgrade.

@kingkongz88 3 года назад

Thanks for a good summary of bang for buck, love it. If anyone knows why the Toping D50s is tier 3 (Randy, you said long in the tooth) yet it measures higher accuracy than many in the list at audioscience and can be had sub $200. I can't see why it is ranked D vs C or even B given price/cost. Which similar priced and functioned DAC would be the best in it's place (that doesn't just have balanced output)? This is an open question for you viewers. Thanks for any suggestions. I guess the E50 but two tiers higher?

@deeplyclosetedindividual 3 года назад

Measurements really don't mean that much. Sound quality can't be measured by a computer.

@skkayman 2 года назад

I would like to know too, I know it but reviews usually praise it. Is it because there are 1Mii copies? That does not make sense to me..

@TheRealPotoroo Год назад

I thought he was harsh on the D50S. It might lack balanced out but it's got BT 5.0 in which the E50 doesn't have.

@eeyorebill04 3 года назад

Nice! Have you heard the Schiit Modius yet? I did watch the whole video but I do agree with the others who said it might make more sense to rank them all in an absolute sense just based on how good the DAC is. And then do a secondary list that ranks the products’ overall value based on the DAC itself as well as the other features and the price. Just my 2 cents

@jacksukerman5150 2 года назад

In Jan 21 - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ev0OI-vi_Lk.html - you liked the E30, now you 'cant listen to it'? ;-) what happened?

@cisco150 2 года назад

I have the SMSL SP200 Amp Looking at a Dac Was looking at the SU-9 EX5 and the E50. How is the amp on the EX5 and does the othere amps sound different then the thx sp200

@SouperSoup057 Год назад

Dude, you took the time to make this AND THEN GIVE ALL THE LINKS! This is amazing and what I was looking for. Thank you! 😁

@valentingheorghe1693 2 года назад

Don't be fooled by the gossip that soundstage is affected in any way by the DAC. Unless your DAC is severely broken, it will have no effect on soundstage. Soundstage starts with the source material (the way it was mixed and mastered) and is affected by external factors like speakers design, speakers placement, amplifucation and room acoustics (including treatment or lack of it). A DAC does exactly what it says: it converts a digital signal into an analog signal and its performance and final sound signature is affected by dynamic range, signal to noise ratio, total harmonic distortions, channel separation, frequency response and the quality of its power supply, electronics and analog output stage components.

@ASSOpid 2 года назад

Agree. That's why these reviews of DAC's are total crap. Either they work or they don't.

@LeDechaine 3 года назад

You want a downside of the Ares 2? It LAGS. There's apparently a 40ms to 90ms latency to process audio and, well, make everything sound better. Apparently it's quite common in higher-end audio. Maybe it sounds glorious, but some people find it useless for movies or gaming. Some people don't care. Results may vary.

@pinkyfloydyfan1 2 года назад

Denafrips Ares 2 all the way! I just check for this here, and you put it at the right spot: S!!! Best DAC ever for me!

@luctardif8444 3 года назад

This is my first time on your channel. The reviews was good and the children interruptions was lovely 😊. I replace my Schiit modi 3 for a Schiit Modius and it sounds great. At 199 US $ I think it worth a try.

@markostendorf1122 3 года назад

Appreciate the heads up …. was considering the Modi 3….will consider the modius now

@luctardif8444 3 года назад

@@markostendorf1122There’s 15 days satisfaction policy for Schiit products. So you can return it if you don’t like it. It is very easy.

@kamadeva1 2 года назад

The Modi Multibit is a revelation compared to both of those for $250. It's a mini Bifrost, and is incredibly smooth and detailed.

@krom447 2 года назад

I am happy with Sound Blaster X3. And it have sub out :) .

@danielmarinholcombes73 2 года назад

One of your best videos yet Randy and Im glad you included your kiddie interruptions. You not only show your kids lots of love which in today's world is special, you do a superb job of tiering a complicated item.

@JWForce1059 3 года назад

Excellent, will be purchasing a Sith Audio training sword in the near future. People might get antsy about teaching children about blade use at a young age, but the younger you start, the safer they'll be when they're older. Just requires knowledge of the three fundamental rules of Sith Audio blade safety: 1. Treat every Sith Audio blade as if it were loaded. 2. Leave the safety on and your fingers off the hilt until ready to slice or stab. 3. Never aim your Sith Audio blade at an object unless you are prepared to destroy it. Happy blading!

@GerhardCombrink 2 года назад

Apple's latest Mac Pro 14 and 16" high fidelity audio jacks also produces phenominal sound quality. Feed them to a Fosi amp and a set of Diamond 12.2 speakers and you have something truly AMAZING!

@rahullahiri25 2 года назад

Sample Rate wasn’t mentioned in any of these DACs, I thought that’s the most important functionality. I wish if you make another video of DACs comparisons price vs quality. Thanks 🙏🏼

@GuitarSpotTV Год назад

Apple would win...

@madcrabber1113 3 года назад

Pretty sure your daughter is wondering why did daddy say he is working but he is doing the same thing he always does. lol kids are the best!

@ah.l 3 года назад

Needed the list a lot. So this isnt pure performance list more of a best value list.

@zenithcric1171 3 года назад

CAM wouldn’t be “Cheap” Audio (THE) Man if there wasn’t a value component to the tier. That being said I have the (D tier?) SMSL M200 and “for the money” it clicks my boxes - most of all the XLR outputs in conjunction with the variable output and remote control, since my speaker amp only has XLR inputs, and the RCA to XLR cable was a bottleneck for the SQ. BT not a deal breaker but I’m using it now with HP for YT. I use the M200’s SE outputs for Schiit Heresy (tube buffer first, which for me helps the soundstage and imaging, which is where points come off for SQ via the speakers). Suggest something better before I retire and have to really pinch the pennies.

@cablebrain9691 2 года назад

Maybe the next time, in addition to the value ranking, a side-by-side list of DACs by sound quality could be shown, along with their price tag. Just a thought.