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Lawrence001
20-03-2020, 00:10
Nice sounding dac/pre with balanced and unbalanced outs and digital volume control. It has fast and slow filler settings for a subtle change to the sound.

It uses the superior ESS Sabre ES9018 chip, not the cheaper K2M low power type designed for mobile devices that you often see in DACs. It has twin transformers for digital and analogue sections. I spotted some Nichicon caps in there too.

The volume control is digital but uses ESS' "bit perfect" technology rather than the usual digital attenuation that reduces bit rate and resolution at lower volumes. I don't understand it but I know it sounds nice when used as a pre amp straight into a power amp.

It's in a champagne colour but there are a few small nicks to the top edge and a scratch on the screen.

I'm only asking £125 collected for this plus postage at cost.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/792ddf991a28c2c3b9b0704caa730e4a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/63b825cda3e48055d7236896ffb17b3a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/77abb314525c2c9ab1059c5c05b89850.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/ffae8c847a7a80e22ced5b95ea40ab3c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/8f6559a4533ffe17cb9d96e030b02b48.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/90712262ec8dfc1313407737d3c617e8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/9555f19caa07cfdbd7161e56c1e98e64.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/d274cce391df409d175cdfd709c1800e.jpg
hifinutt
20-03-2020, 10:42
:) very nice , how do you control the volume then ?
Puffin
20-03-2020, 10:45
There should be a remote control.
Lawrence001
20-03-2020, 11:55
This doesn't have remote, there are up and down buttons on the front. Tricky to pick up on the background but they say up, down and menu. Menu is quick press to change source, long press to change filter.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200320/303fc4fd263816a39b3a405b902028ca.jpg
Lawrence001
20-03-2020, 11:56
Just to add you can try a bit of op amp rolling with this it has sockets.
Lawrence001
22-03-2020, 16:50
I changed the op amps and it sounds really natural and analogue now. Haven't heard a Sabre Dac that sounds as nice as this, they're not normally my cup of tea. Can't include the new op amps at the price (there's 6 of them!) but open to discussion.
Lawrence001
31-03-2020, 18:20
Might as well put this on hold and enjoy the beautiful sound it produces until things get back to normal.
Lawrence001
04-04-2020, 22:14
Ok, 6 DACs is clearly too many for one man, so it's back up for sale, postage only at the moment obviously.

I think £125 is a bargain for a weighty Sabre dac/pre with a 2 transformer power supply, digital volume and fast/slow roll off filters.
Lawrence001
05-04-2020, 16:36
Actually I've just worked out I've got 8 dacs. Not including a little one that plugs straight on the computer for headphones (like a Chinese dragonfly)
Lawrence001
05-05-2020, 23:09
Bump
Lawrence001
08-05-2020, 18:34
Anyone fancy trying a bargain Sabre dac to keep themselves busy in the lockdown?
Gregje
09-05-2020, 12:30
I changed the op amps and it sounds really natural and analogue now. Haven't heard a Sabre Dac that sounds as nice as this, they're not normally my cup of tea. Can't include the new op amps at the price (there's 6 of them!) but open to discussion.

Hi Lawrence,

Which opamps have you tried/using more permanently?
There are 4 op amps for IV conversion and 2 buffers. Do you use the same type for all?

For those who consider buying it: Grab this one! I have a thread on DIY ESS9018 here. Mine comes out more expensive than asking price for this one...
Lawrence001
09-05-2020, 14:55
Hi Lawrence,

Which opamps have you tried/using more permanently?
There are 4 op amps for IV conversion and 2 buffers. Do you use the same type for all?

For those who consider buying it: Grab this one! I have a thread on DIY ESS9018 here. Mine comes out more expensive than asking price for this one...Thanks, I've just tried 2 OPA637s I had put away in the last 2 buffer positions which has improved the sound even more so I've just ordered a quad from RS - nearly £100 so better be worth it.

The sale's on hold until they arrive and I burn them in a bit.
Lawrence001
10-05-2020, 08:16
(when I dig out the op amps again I'll look at what the other ones were)
Lawrence001
05-06-2020, 21:50
Back up for sale I've got WAY too much gear and I do need to start clearing it out.

£120 collected from North London or if you email me a Royal Mail/Parcelforce or UPS label I can drop it off for you.
Lawrence001
11-06-2020, 18:40
Bump for a bargain dac
Lawrence001
19-06-2020, 13:24
Sale on hold as I can probably sell my Audiolab M Dac easier to reduce my dac count. Needs must...

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Lawrence001
30-06-2020, 10:33
Another balanced DAC sold so this is now doing sterling service in my headphone system with 6xOPA627 opamps that cost over £150!!

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