Breeze Audio Sabre Dac/Pre

[Lawrence001]

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.

[hifinutt]

very nice , how do you control the volume then ?

[Puffin]

There should be a remote control.

[Lawrence001]

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.

[Lawrence001]

Just to add you can try a bit of op amp rolling with this it has sockets.

[Lawrence001]

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.

[Gregje]

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]

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]

Might as well put this on hold and enjoy the beautiful sound it produces until things get back to normal.

[Lawrence001]

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.