I bought my little rPac many years ago and it is still working well. The main problem with it is that it doesn't completely eliminate hash coming from the PC. I tried a USB noise eliminator that does work very well, but limits the rPac to USB audio 1.0 and I think it sounds better when it runs in USB audio 2.0 mode that also allows me to play hi res without resampling. I have made a preamp and active speakers that I'm happy enough with but I thought it might be time for a DAC update. I've tried a few cheap'n'cheerful dacs from Ali, to try a few things, e.g will the optical spdif output from the PC eliminate the hash - it does, but I prefer the sound of the rPac.
I have seen a few comments expressing horror wrt to USB powered DACs 😊.
I like ke the idea of a DAC with both balanced and unbalanced outputs as I can easily convert my speakers to balanced input.
I saw the xduoo mu604 which has rather better technical specs than either my rPac or the cheaper ones and has its own psu and both outputs.
I have no doubt that some of the designs for diy on here are fantastic, but are quite expensive or require smt soldering skills that I don't have (at least not yet!).
I did note that the cost of some of the faster USB isolators is more than I paid for the rPac, so this seems like a bad idea.
By the way, when I say I prefer the sound of the rPac, this wasn't a level matched double blind test - in fact the output levels of all my DACs are wildly different, so could be influenced by other factors.
Anyway comments on the potential of the xduoo or others are welcome. (Even keep the rPac, it's great!) 😁
What do you think?
Jeff.
I have seen a few comments expressing horror wrt to USB powered DACs 😊.
I like ke the idea of a DAC with both balanced and unbalanced outputs as I can easily convert my speakers to balanced input.
I saw the xduoo mu604 which has rather better technical specs than either my rPac or the cheaper ones and has its own psu and both outputs.
I have no doubt that some of the designs for diy on here are fantastic, but are quite expensive or require smt soldering skills that I don't have (at least not yet!).
I did note that the cost of some of the faster USB isolators is more than I paid for the rPac, so this seems like a bad idea.
By the way, when I say I prefer the sound of the rPac, this wasn't a level matched double blind test - in fact the output levels of all my DACs are wildly different, so could be influenced by other factors.
Anyway comments on the potential of the xduoo or others are welcome. (Even keep the rPac, it's great!) 😁
What do you think?
Jeff.
I went ahead with the XDUOO MU-604.
It is, not unsurprisingly, drastically better then the rPAC. Digital noise is eliminated from the PC and without resorting to flowery language, improves my listening experience significantly. For me a cost, effective upgrade. The three inputs are also very handy in my system as it can cater for PC, TV and, should I wish, CD player. I have tried only the USB input so far.
I clearly need to get out more. I didn't know DACS had got this good at this price!
At some point I'll have to bite the bullet and tackle SMD soldering and build one of the kits as there seem to be a few modestly priced kits available from members here.
It is, not unsurprisingly, drastically better then the rPAC. Digital noise is eliminated from the PC and without resorting to flowery language, improves my listening experience significantly. For me a cost, effective upgrade. The three inputs are also very handy in my system as it can cater for PC, TV and, should I wish, CD player. I have tried only the USB input so far.
I clearly need to get out more. I didn't know DACS had got this good at this price!
At some point I'll have to bite the bullet and tackle SMD soldering and build one of the kits as there seem to be a few modestly priced kits available from members here.