I am trying to decide between a Weiliang ESS9018 DAC from seller Minishow on eBay versus a solid ready-made product such as the Arcam irDAC. Yes, I do love tinkering with audio equipment and I'd be curious how good a high-end Chinese DAC could be but in the end I always find stuff to criticise on Chinese equipment such as fake parts, not so optimal PCB layout, decoupling caps too far from chips etc. In the end, a well-made Chinese DAC would easily cost $300 after shipping. Do you think Weiliangs boards are worthwhile versus a good commercial DAC?
Regards, Michael
Regards, Michael
Nope but it is this particular board:
Upgrade High End ES9018 DAC 192K with Dual Talema Transformer 0 1ppm Gold TCXO | eBay
Upgrade High End ES9018 DAC 192K with Dual Talema Transformer 0 1ppm Gold TCXO | eBay
Look here:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/237075-diy-es9018-hi-end-usb-dac-18.html
It needs some work on the power supply AVCC. But after you solve that problem it's an unbeatable value. I had a Teac DSD 501 and returned it because it wasn't even close.
I also have the 10 Pin Xmos DSD card.
Id buy the cheaper one for $283 with the IC transformer.
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/237075-diy-es9018-hi-end-usb-dac-18.html
It needs some work on the power supply AVCC. But after you solve that problem it's an unbeatable value. I had a Teac DSD 501 and returned it because it wasn't even close.
I also have the 10 Pin Xmos DSD card.
Id buy the cheaper one for $283 with the IC transformer.
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After modifying a $59 dac over the course of a couple years or more, I added a snubber circuit and this made a great improvement overall for the cost,low risk, and low effort.
It consists of a CRC circuit added to the power input connectors on the board for each(digital, analogs).
A .01 uf polypropylene/foi across the transformer outputs, followed by a non-inductive 18 ohm + .1 uf polystyrene worked well.
This was after having an isolation transformer for the AC power, and a power conditioner, so the noise I cleared up was ringing from the transformers.
The clarity and definition have improved, better bass, and can hear details I couldn't before.
Edit; it was well worth it for me anyways, as I've learned a lot, and have a great sounding setup for a couple hundred dollars.
It consists of a CRC circuit added to the power input connectors on the board for each(digital, analogs).
A .01 uf polypropylene/foi across the transformer outputs, followed by a non-inductive 18 ohm + .1 uf polystyrene worked well.
This was after having an isolation transformer for the AC power, and a power conditioner, so the noise I cleared up was ringing from the transformers.
The clarity and definition have improved, better bass, and can hear details I couldn't before.
Edit; it was well worth it for me anyways, as I've learned a lot, and have a great sounding setup for a couple hundred dollars.
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Of similar minds with phase on this.
IMO, no matter what, Chinese DACs are at least good for learning on, and in the process they may sound very good too. I have better DACs but I might order a few of these just to tinker on.
IMO, no matter what, Chinese DACs are at least good for learning on, and in the process they may sound very good too. I have better DACs but I might order a few of these just to tinker on.
That is exactly right.
Best value ready made product:
Bryston Limited: BDA-2 External DAC
All basics covered. It can be easily tweaked to give the colour to individual's liking + it looks good.
Nick
I do admit to having to replace a main board due to thermal damage to the analog side of the day chip during a maneuver, chalk that one up to lessons learned.
The same polystyrene cap is on the new board in the same position, the rest of the mods took many hours to transplant as well. One mistake...
The modding is not for the faint of heart, and these boards are made so small and compact it doesn't help either.
I do say that I can see the appeal of a decent sounding, somewhat fair priced completed product after all this. I would be pretty cautious and anxious to start to take apart something like that either.
I think the real value is in the education, after all, you can't buy that, and I really like how the thing sounds.
The same polystyrene cap is on the new board in the same position, the rest of the mods took many hours to transplant as well. One mistake...
The modding is not for the faint of heart, and these boards are made so small and compact it doesn't help either.
I do say that I can see the appeal of a decent sounding, somewhat fair priced completed product after all this. I would be pretty cautious and anxious to start to take apart something like that either.
I think the real value is in the education, after all, you can't buy that, and I really like how the thing sounds.
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