SONCOZ LA-QXD1 DAC -- High end for under $200?

Can a DAC under $200 be considered high-end?
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[@TechnoGuy11]

I've come to realize over the years that I'm a wood coffee table guy. I just got the new iFi Neo and I love it, sounds great with my Z1R, AP2000ti, and Arya.

[@Maxx134a]

At 7:44 in & onwards, the descriptions of the DACs are amazingly on point using analogy I never thought of but is very accurately on point and correct. It really clarifies the dac differences. I'm glad I skipped into details and listened further haha

[@nickn5870]

Thanks very much for the info on your optical cable find. Am not a huge fan of that but always willing to try it out again. Only my ears can tell. Looks less fragile than the actual glass ones. Enjoying the videos

[@Currawong]

Glad to help!

[@FriedEgg101]

I like the coffee table analogy.

[@fisherc6]

I can’t wait to hear the SU-9 review!

[@navinadv]

And the Gustad X16

[@yttean98]

sound quality descriptions start at 6.51. One useful feature of this review and also this channel you compare the DAC under review against other DACs in different price point, features and also compared against DACs using different chipsets, AKM, ES or BB. That gives the potential buyers a better idea of what to expect from a $200 DAC.

[@jimfarrell4635]

One of iFi 's low noise Ipower PSUs might be a worthwhile upgrade to that little dac. At less than £50 in the UK (and they often can be found cheaper on eBay) the cost doesn't seem out of proportion and I have found them to have sonic benefits wherever I have used them. They come with a good selection of connectors so can be used later on a range of different devices. Just need to be careful to get the 5v one - they come in a variety of different voltages.

[@casualtake1497]

How does it compare with topping e30 or D50s?

[@michaelreed649]

Could this be the dac you suggest with a Asgard 3 for a sundara? Would they balance out better than a multibit card?

[@MichaelZuskin]

Is it upsampling the input signal before sending it to the coax output?

[@Lockk9]

► 5:54 I think the iFi Zen-Dac is the cheapest Balanced Dac ? as in the wooden coffee table style Dac😊

[@Currawong]

You're right, though it's a headphone amp as well.

[@BPaul803]

Always enjoy these reviews. There seems to be a couple of solid looking options in the lower cost balanced DAC segment now. In your, or anyone else who'd like to chime in's, opinion, would it be worth moving up to such a unit from an entry level dac such as a schiit modi 3? Or is this a case of sounding too similar so pick a preferred feature set?

[@Currawong]

Depends what your set-up is. I reckon if you were going to move up, I'd go with a $1k or so set-up of a better DAC and amp.

[@marklawrence4116]

Very nicely done Reminds me of my original company - Audio Alchemy Bravo - nice presentation

[@Currawong]

I remember Audio Alchemy. When I was a teenager, the local hi-fi store used to use their DACs Cheers!

[@marklawrence4116]

@@Currawong keep up the great work

[@stuartshannon8141]

Still using my DITB to convert PCM from TV!

[@yujinpark6374]

Really wish you could review the Khadas Tone Board 2!

[@kael13]

Backblaze is rec'd by Marco Arment, too.. Thing is I kinda have data all over the place so it's either pay a fortune or use some other service.

[@rajendrabiswas]

Is this better than biforst

[@dreddguy6454]

I've come from ASR. They're super excited about this DAC's SINAD measurements. Currawong explained the sound so well with his coffee table analogy. Bravo.

[@o.f.ftrack3444]

I think the technology and implementation is getting to the point where the only way that the more expensive stuff is worth it is for the extra features. Or you simply just want to spend the extra money. It seems like $4-600 is the sweet spot for getting the most for your money when it comes to dacs and amps. Not to mention, it seems like your headphones would have to be good enough to take advantage of something more high end anyway.

[@Currawong]

I reckon it comes down to the music. I get both kinds of feedback -- that the cheap stuff sounds digital and flat, as well as people who are extremely satisfied with their cheap DAC and other gear. It may well depend how much attention you pay when listening too. Maybe if you're purely only listening, and not, say, listening while working, then the better gear will be more worth it.

[@o.f.ftrack3444]

@@Currawong i agree and i can say without a doubt, that I'm listening and paying attention my my music. So with that being said how much amp/dac would someone need for a 660s for example? I'm asking not only because I own one but because I'm trying to get a gauge on what's enough? Both from a drivability standpoint as well as sound quality. I'm not getting a hugo tt2 and m-scaler obviously but how would the d90/a90 be my endgame or is the e30/l30 just fine? Gustard a18, schiit magnius/modius? Would i hear the difference with the 660s or do i need to get a utopia to even hear the differences?

[@FriedEgg101]

I paid ~£700 for the Audiolab MDAC+ about 4 years ago. It has an ES9018 sabre dac chip. I needed a balanced dac for powered speakers, but I wish I'd waited. I've seen a few reviews (what-hifi and the like) but I'd love to know how it compares to this. It still sounds great to me, but I don't have much to compare it to; just a mojo, that I haven't even tested with my powered speakers. The dac I had before that was an Asus Xonar Essence One, which is also balanced, that I paid ~£400 for about 7 yesrs ago. I can't even remember what that sounded like, but I remember believing the MDAC+ was an upgrade.

[@herwiggielen9838]

If your DAC still sounds great to you, then you're good. No ? Why worry about what review(er)s have to say about it? You're enjoying it.That's what matters I would invest more time in discovering new music, finding amazing recordings by the likes of Channel Classics, Native DSD, Chesky records, 2L recordings, MA etc etc or truly breathtaking performances by hyper talented prodigees that nobody ever heard of just a few years ago (if you're into classical music). Anyway, that's just my two cents...

[@FriedEgg101]

@@herwiggielen9838 I see your point, and agree. But I knew so little about audio gear 4 years ago, and the knowledge I've gained since tells me I might have wasted some money. I just find it worrying that audiolab gear seems to only be on the radar of paid british reviewers, such as what hifi. I guess I have fomo lol.

[@hrvojekant9415]

Nice presentation...indeed...thank you...Please give me your expert advise....I would like to upgrade from Modi 3 to Modius......or maybe even on this now tested DAC SONCOZ LA - QXD1. I have SET tube amp., so I can not use balanced outputs...Best regards!

[@chefsteve8381]

Hi great detailed review what usb type A to type B cable do you recommend ? finding it hard to cut through all the snake oil and bs, also is the Gustard x16 any good thanks

[@Currawong]

The basic, good USB cable is the Belkin Gold. Oyaide and Wireworld have models that separate the data and power lines though I can't say specifically that they will be an improvement. Keeping the USB cable short is a good plan. For the money for some of the more expensive cables, one may as well just get a Raspberry Pi or Allo equivalent and set it up as a mini-streamer with a short USB cable to your DAC, which will have the same, or greater benefits.

[@nickn5870]

Oyaide Neo d+ Class A series is also a great option, some decent impressions around. Don't be fooled by the looks, or the fact it is the middle of the lineup (orange and black ones). They meticulously ( it's rather obsessive ) make their own copper as a replacement for the OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) copper which is phased out now, and call it " 102 SSC "

[@chefsteve8381]

@@Currawong thanks

[@chefsteve8381]

@@nickn5870 thanks

[@chefsteve8381]

@@nickn5870 just ordered one, have good reviews, bargain price 2 meter cable for $60 au cheers, happy Aussie!

[@lonestar1664]

Hi I know you don't like MQA but how does SU-9 sounds compared to other under 400$ DACs thanks

[@Currawong]

That's coming soonish.

[@lonestar1664]

@@Currawong many thanks it will be good to start comparison with other Topping and SMSL DACs

[@NeilBlanchard]

I'll guess that a Xduoo MT-604 ($169 balanced tube hybrid headphone amp) would be a really good match with this Soncoz LA-QXD1 DAC?

[@Currawong]

I think that a cheap, balanced tube headphone amp is a crazy idea. A set of 4 matched tubes would cost more than the amp.

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@Currawong Well, I have an MT-602, which is essentially half of an MT-604, and it sounds great. A matched pair of GE JAN 5654W tubes were something like $24, shipped. At least three rave reviews of the MT-604 are out there.

[@Currawong]

The 2-tube amp seems reasonable, but the 4-tube amp just seems silly to me. I declined reviewing it as it would lose two stars at the very least just for the need for 4 tubes and the separate volume controls. I'm sure the volume controls and rest of the components aren't matched either. The Vali 2 and CTH are way more sensible: 1 tube, no nonsense.

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@Currawong To be balanced with those 7-pin 6J1 pentode tubes, it needs the four. The dual volume controls lets you balance the volume yourself, without the need to add another potentiometer in the signal path - just like my wonderful Audible Illusions Modulus preamp. They also make a single tube model, the MT-601, that uses the same type of dual triode tube used in the Modulus - a 6DJ8/6922/ECC88 type, with 9 pins. I own a Bifrost 2, and a Modi 2 Uber, and I have the Modius on the way. I had a Vali 2 and Modi Multibit on order, but they are always about 12-16 weeks away. I also love my Vidar. So, going with the several rave reviews of both the MT-602 and MT-604, I already have the 601 and 602 and love them both. Now, I have the 604 on the way. The Xduoo units are far from perfect (a bit too quick gain on the volume control, and a shutoff thump) - but they sound really good; far better than their price would lead you to believe. The Soncoz LA-QXD1 now retails for $230, so a $170 MT-604 plus $37 for 4 matched and fully tested GE JAN 5654W Platinum Grade tubes seems like a good pairing. As does the Modius with the same amp, which is what I am going to be using.

[@x-techgaming]

D10s = best current budget DAC, IMO. Paid $250 for my d50s, now this $99 d10s has better measurements!

[@RathOX]

its not all about measurements!!

[@kael13]

That DAC chip is basically in everything these days. It's in the one reviewed here, the D10s and my Fiio BTR5 player. It sounds good, but I totally get where Currawong is coming from when it comes to ESS Sabre DACs sounding metallic. It's a good sound, measures well... but flavourless.

[@exodusvelo]

Great video as always, although seems like a cheaper review for a cheaper device. Do the XLR and RCA outputs work both as well? Some people have issues with this dac in the forums, not very long lasting. I was interested on it back in the day, but XLR is the only advantage of it, and the cnc body, better get an E30 with remote and akm chip, and display, and single ended outputs, and cheaper price but better sound. No decent XLR DAC well priced yet, all are full of flaws, or very expensive, nothing decent on the 300-499$ range really.

[@lmJustGood]

The new schiit modius?

[@siddhantdeepful]

Gasheli labs stuff seems pretty well reviewed they seem to do only xlr out

[@mattrismatt]

@@siddhantdeepful Geshelli Labs will be releasing a new DAC soon, hopefully before the end of the year.

[@francoisbouchet9907]

@@mattrismatt Geshelli Labs new DAC is arriving next week for black friday! their website has been updated with a detailed JNOG DAC product page. it seems they will propose next week a combo with this new dac + an updated Archel2 GMR headphone amp.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

I was looking at many reviews about this and got worried cos many of them mentioned this DAC died after a few months. QC obviously is not high for this DAC, so I ended up looking at other DAC's.

[@Currawong]

Many of them?

[@vipernecklampy8773]

1300 strands plastic fiber Optical cable? Mhh, i wonder if that's better sounding than a 280 strands glass fiber, and if it comes close to 500€ AudioQuest Diamond cable with the purest Quartz Glass, that's awesome, but i don't think it's at that level, i tried it (AQ Diamond on loan) and it astounded me. May be worth a shot and a comparison with Diamond!

[@Currawong]

Don’t know, but I’d save that kind of cable for a much better DAC.

[@c.j.vanwoerden1676]

Sysconcept 1300 multistrand.

[@yogiwp_]

The lack of remote really limits its usage potential, and a dealbreaker for me.

[@franzb69]

The soncoz costs over 300 usd here

[@MrAhuraMazda]

I lost all respect for you when you replied to a comment about headphones for podcast listening and you said it didnt matter. Excuse me, but a multibit DAC, THX amp and Meze Empyreans really make Joe Rogan come to life

[@Currawong]

I like using the Audeze Mobius with the 3D effect for podcasts myself. If a good DAC etc. makes you enjoy podcasts more, that's great.

[@MrAhuraMazda]

@@Currawong hahaha. Great vids, love the channel

[@kael13]

Good one ahaha

[@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016]

Review is way too long, we care about sound quality most Thank You.