Digital to Analog Veritas in Extremis - Chord DAVE DAC Review

[@brothatwasepic]

Hi Sandu thank you for your awesome videos. I just got a Dave today and have a Susvara and an A90. I am wondering if I can ask for your help with what settings you like the best and why: 1) Phase: Pos/Neg 2) HF Fil: On/OFF 3) Crossfeed: 0,1,2, or 3? Thanks so much❤

[@ActualFish]

Soundnews back at it with another banger! That thing looks like a retro spaceship🛸

[@Coneman3]

The shape and size puts me off. Maybe trying to be spouse friendly.

[@TIKTOKIA]

Hi Sandu, I enjoyed your trip into the 'stratosphere'. Alas, the ethos of the common man (read affordable) still prevails. As my go to Dacman, I would love you to turn your attention to the Sabaj A30a. This new genre of 'PowerDAC' has even caused young Thomas and friends (aka Thomas & Stereo) to sit up and take notice. This is a powerful endorsement from a hardened audiophile who eats McIntosh power amps for breakfast. Either way, your affinity for the Chinese audio scene should add a welcome perspective on how this device rates.

[@Coneman3]

Also check out Audio Music DAC/1. Sleeper DAC few have heard about. It’s astonishing.

[@haydenbull6622]

Thank you for the review, your thoughts echo what most people say about the Dave. Of course, according to the folks at ASR, a $150 Topping dac measures better so is therefore more transparent and sounds better 😜

[@Soundnews]

I really like ASR's sense of humor ;)

[@BwanaJesuasifiwe]

@@Soundnews ASR is mostly an objective review forum but they still always disclose where they got their review products and if any conflicts of interest which could lead to an arise of bias is there. You on the other hand use only your unprovable words infront of a camera and disclose completely nothing. a review for fools basically

[@susokraut]

@@Soundnews You don't get it. Any compatent DAC offers the same sound, i.e. transparent reproduction of the original signal. Do some ABX testing to prove that you really can hear a difference. Otherwise your claims are just worthless gibberish.

[@juneguts]

@@susokraut hahahahahahaha

[@marks.2909]

Actually listening with direct comparisons to the both dacs ASR didn’t mention how paper thin and sterile the sound is produced out of the 150 $ wonder . Enjoy your music ,,.

[@redkh2017]

Wonderful review.I just bought a gustard r26 according to your remendation, and I love the fact that you listen to Infected Mushrooms!!!!

[@Soundnews]

They released a new album yesterday! Go check it out!

[@ionescugeorge2003]

This makes me wonder how would you rate the much more affordable Chord Qutest compaired to some of the more popular chinese dacs from Topping, SMSL, Gustard and maybe Musician and Denafrips, as Qutest is regarded by a lot of people as one if not the best dac under 2000E.

[@taho88]

Same here. I just dropped a comment in his Gustard R26 review on his website. Qutest is about the same price.

[@anthonycody4095]

Great review, amazing how long this DAC has been able to stay at the top of its category. I would recommend you reach out to Daniel Weiss at Weiss engineering and ask if you can review the 501 or 502 DAC, its right up there with Dave and would be a very interesting comparison

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I found the 501 Mk II to be incredibly disappointing. I returned mine.

[@anthonycody4095]

@@johnratcliffe6438 what did you replace it with

[@eskamobob8662]

When are we going to get a Primavera review?

[@Soundnews]

This week!

[@edwinchann7885]

The base Dave is fab. Add some Farad PSUs and it goes to the next level. Bass and separation is way improved.

[@rustygates3367]

Did you ever audition the Mola Mola Tambaqui before buying the DAVE?

[@allansh828]

Please review Blu Mk II. Is it the same as MScaler if you use USB input?

[@ruffandruff]

hey mate, will you be reviewing Zahl HM1?

[@filovirus1]

8:23 dude, you are in audiophile heaven

[@beercn2]

If were to compare Dave against Audiobyte. Would you say Audiobyte is more engaging and energetic but with less detail and separation?

[@JRadian]

Next you should get your hands on dCS Lina or Bartok to compare to DAVE..

[@JTB--]

I had the TT2 with M-Scaler for a few months and eventually sold them. A little too analytical for my musical tastes. ymmv

[@fahryst]

No M Scaler? Ok

[@Soundnews]

An M-Scaler review will follow, although not for the current version.

[@fahryst]

@@Soundnews I remember goldensound being impressed with the M Scaler, without not so much.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

​@@fahrystA £10K DAC should not need a £5K upsampler to sound good.

[@fahryst]

@@johnratcliffe6438 tell that to chord, not me

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@fahryst You seemed to be supporting the notion it is needed; did I read you wrong?

[@Flavius7]

Good DAC, obviously, transparent as fuck and big soundstage. But overpriced as hell like all Chord products. For half the price you can definitely get something just as good.

[@alphaniner3770]

indeed - this seems to be the end game Chord DAC could design, with no replacement in the pipeline. But the competition has been rapidly developing since it was released - comparable performance for a fraction of the price. - on the other hand, if I had a Dave I would obviously rave about it too - just to justify the expense if nothing else.

[@juneguts]

this DAC sounds like just some guy

[@juneguts]

hey dave!

[@Soundnews]

@@juneguts Hey Toni! :D

[@igrvass]

устроить бы тебе слепое прослушивание-чтобы ты тогда запел

[@susokraut]

The Dave is not any better than many totally transparent DACs, starting from $100. You will not pass any ABX test.

[@RyuMasterEX]

I heard the transparency and huge soundstage of this thing puts off people so they buy other dacs because this a more analytical intense grandiose listen. It's strengths are also its flaws, this is unanimous on all reviews.

[@susokraut]

@@RyuMasterEX The Dave is not more transparent than any other good measuring DAC. If you have over 120 db SINAD and a S/N ratio of 130 db, there is not more to be gained. You get all this starting from $100. Soundstage is not a property of a DAC, it is the speakers.

[@davestevens4193]

Don't review the m-scaler...don't!!

[@alexandertimoschuk8470]

This is a garbage product according to measurements

[@mikeg2491]

@user-rr9ic3xb6z The science is settled™

[@user-tk7kz1fl2r]

I think you are referring to a review by Amir who has quite a KZbin audience. I also like his channel. I have the Dave in a high end set up. It's a spectacular sound. It thrills me each and every time.

[@mikeg2491]

@@user-tk7kz1fl2r I’ll agree with the criticism Dave is overpriced but I refuse to believe you can find one person who listened to one who would argue, “oooh this sounds terrible!”. Not my sound signature cup of tea, too forward, sure. But sounding bad like it’s AM radio or something, hell no.