New DAC board for my Pi: Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023

[ReggieB]

In my original post about my Raspberry Pi adventures I mentioned that I originally ordered an Audiophonics DAC, but got bored waiting for it and order an IQAudio board as well. Well a few days ago the Audiophonic DAC board finally arrived, and I've finally had a chance to fit it. The board is a Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023. It fits the same interface as the IQAudio board.



I also bought another Raspberry Pi (version 2 this time). I couldn't get my new Pi to recognise the Audiophonics board. However, I've swapped it out for the IQAudio on my first Pi (a B+) and it is working a treat there. I needed to change the volumio settings: set the I2S driver to Hifiberry, but that was all.

First impressions are very good.

[The Black Adder]

it has better sockets I see... that was something I would have wanted to change on the IQAudio one... or have solder points to be able to set a choice of the plugs elsewhere.

How does it sound?

[ReggieB]

It feels better made all round. The phono sockets are more substantial.

It pass the Agnes Obel test better than the IQAudio - this is an album that has always troubled the IQAudio. I'm waiting a little to give a full assessment of the sound quality as if it's anything like the IQAudio, it will need a couple of days of playing before it gives of its best.

I'm looking forward to have a long listening session with it as it has a Sabre ES9023 chip at its core. I love the sound of my Peachtree DAC-IT which also has a Sabre DAC.

My plan is to get the IQAudio working with my other Raspberry Pi and then do a back to back comparison.

[ReggieB]

Actually, looking at the Audiophonics site again, my DAC is one of the new models: Audiophonics I-Sabre DAC ES9023 TCXO

[ReggieB]

Wow. First night listening via the new DAC, and I have a huge smile on my face.

To my ears, the Audiophonics DAC is better than the IQaudIO! It has a more natural and nuanced presentation. I love it.

Also I'm not getting the odd artefacts I'd get with the IQaudIO. Everything is sounding good with the Audiophonics DAC.

I'll get my camera out tomorrow, and post a couple of photos of the unit.

[ReggieB]

Elbow "Build a rocket boys!" playing at the moment. It's not a rocket, but it is a lovely streaming solution.

I'm not sure this is the greatest photo I've ever taken, but hey ho!



I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a case. The RCAs are a little further apart than they are on the IQaudIO DAC so the case doesn't fit. Hmmm.

[Yomanze]

Looks like a very good crystal in the unit, and even tighter layout / minimalism than the IQAudio, also the Sabre DAC is better on paper, anyway, enjoy!

[ReggieB]

I've found out why I was having trouble getting the new Pi 2 to work with RuneAudio. You have to edit a text file before the system will see the DAC cards. Details are here:

http://www.runeaudio.com/forum/the-n...-40.html#p5386

That means I now have two working Pi streamers. Now I can start back to back comparisons of the Audiophonics and IQAudIO cards.

[WAD62]

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a case. The RCAs are a little further apart than they are on the IQaudIO DAC so the case doesn't fit. Hmmm.

Hi Rob, I was about to ask about the case, as I couldn't see a viable option on the web site...shame the IQ one doesn't fit, as it's the best I've seen on the market....

[cyclopse]

Hi Rob, I was about to ask about the case, as I couldn't see a viable option on the web site...shame the IQ one doesn't fit, as it's the best I've seen on the market....

Could you drill some fresh holes for the phono sockets? Or just have three sides on the Pi case and remove the side causing the obstruction.