🤬STOP THE DAC MADNESS

👇LET'S HIT THE PAUSE button on this DAC Madness!!
Come on in, audiophiles, and let's chat about some great options for getting a KILLER dac for little money.
THE WORLDS FIRST NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!!!
LET'S TALK!!! ALL YOU "AUDIOPHILES".......
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abxaudiophile
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My Systems ---------------
Two Channel -
PrimaLuna DiaLouge KT120 tube amp.
ABX/LDA Baffles
EverSolo DMP-A6
Black Ice FX Tube DAC
REGA-P3 with Denon 301 MKII
Project S3-B phono Pre
Pine Tree Audio speaker wires.
WBC interconnects
Pine Tree Iso Braid Power cables
Home Theater -
Emotiva XPA-2 power amp
Schiit Freya+ Pre amp (Tubes rolled)
Schiit BiFrost 2 32bit original
BluesNode2i
Xbox Series X
75" UHD 4K 60hz tv
WBC Mogami 2549 XLR interconnects
Audioquest Ocean Optic cables
Desk Top -
Custom PC 3060ti
Schiit Bifrost 2
SMSL AD-18
Mark Audio Tozzi-2 speakers
ETA Headphones
#dac #budget #audiophile

[@VirusForPrez]

I don't have enough of the rest of my life to listen to all the dacs i've bought in the last 10 years !

[@abxaudiophiles]

Exactly!! And it’s really not worth all the effort.

[@1Hiprascal]

Hi James. I own the original Ares 2, and have installed the firmware update. Absolutely an improvement with zero drawbacks. It still has all its strengths, adding a little more focus and definition. My speakers sound like they are working better together as a team, better in phase like. Update is available to all, second owners as well and it is free. Oh, and Vincent provided helpful customer service with the install. A great ownership experience for me.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Awesome!! Thank you, I may give it a shot!!! Thanks for being here. :)

[@adsph]

Great take James. So many choices, makes my head spin. With your help my understanding of dac’s is improving. Thank you.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thanks buddy. I don’t know everything, just what I’ve experienced. Just trying to share. 🥰🥰🙂👍🏼

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Good to find your channel . Thank you for your perspectives.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Glad you made it, and welcome... :)

[@hppsimulation9532]

Awesome video as always James, love what you are doing, so happy to be in the group. On a yacht somewhere....

[@abxaudiophiles]

Glad you’re here to be a part of it. Cheers🍻

[@riccitone]

Great vid…so dead-on! My latest dac I’ve had for about 2 years - Topping D70s purchased refurb for about $550. Great dac, now discontinued. So keep thinking I should upgrade, but every time I improve my system in other ways I just keep hearing more and getting more out of this dac. When a dac can check a lot of boxes: balanced, clear, wide/deep stage, unique and special output stage, then best to hold onto it for a while 👍🏼

[@abxaudiophiles]

Very well said!!! Thakns for chiming in.. :) It is nice to have a DAC that will scale well with our growth!!

[@RecoveryoneDrone]

Nice info, people need to understand the results from any DAC or total system is mainly subjective to each individual and their history of getting to whatever level they may be at. I did two videos on the Eversolo DMP A6 on my other channel and explained pretty much the same thing as to my journey of past streamers/Dac's and how the Eversolo was a good choice for me.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Very nice!! The EverSolo is a stunning proposition. Still love mine daily. 🎉🎉

[@carminedesanto6746]

Yup, it’s a good time to see how far your money goes! I’ve gone from Theta Digital to a BelCanto to a Grace and now to a Topping DAC. All still being fed from my Denon 3520 ( 30 years old ) 💿 player ..and now adding a streamer..digital has been very interesting of late . Great video. Take care 👍🥓🍕🍩☕️🔥

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thanks!!! Much appreciated!! Great testimony. And who doesn’t love bacon. 🥰🥰🥰😁😁

[@adaboy4z]

I have two dacs. SMSL SU1 secondary system and Topping E30II in my main system. Affordable for me and sounds great.

[@abxaudiophiles]

All decent DACs in the MidFi space for sure!!! 😍😍

[@richm4402]

A reviewer with common sense, very refreshing! Personally I use a RME dac , end game for me.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you! I really appreciate it

[@derekf7772]

I also have an Ares II / Enyo and find it to be an incredible DAC . I recently updated the firmware which I highly recommend.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Awesome!! Such a great dac! Thanks for being here and sharing

[@Feliciano12v]

For sure. I enjoy the Ares II. I recently started using it with my headphones.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Now that’s a GREAT pairing.

[@erics.4113]

Super happy Ares II owner. I'm thinking to add the Iris DDC and experiment there. Bluesound Node source (also candidate for upgrade after DDC experiment)

[@Feliciano12v]

@@erics.4113 I would def upgrade my speakers/ preamp before going that route.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@erics.4113 Great Stuff!!

[@dixieflatline1189]

Room acoustics > (speakers / amp) > audio recording / mastering > DAC / Steamer

[@abxaudiophiles]

I like it... :)

[@stevezeidman7224]

Wise words, James. I jettisoned my Ares 2 for a Ladder Schumann. I love the sound but it has an unsolvable problem with static in NOS mode. No help from factory. So needless to say, it’s a bummer. More expensive isn’t necessarily better. Also have to say $250 Geshelli J2 punches way above its weight.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Ah yes, my buddy has the Ladder dac with similar issue, that's where I heard that dac. Amazing dac for clarity and detail, blakest of black background! I hear the J2 is a great options well.. Especially if you can find them all USED!! :)

[@Reeeepicheep]

$330 for a Bifrost 2, this guy should be in jail, that’s a steal. Whoever sold you that got robbed.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Oh yea!! I know, and I seen a ARES II used for $500 the other day.... WOW....

[@dbrodbro1]

I added the Ares II to my mid-fi system and was blown away. No more saber DAC's.

[@abxaudiophiles]

The ARES is a hard one to beat!!..... Glad you are loving it! Thakns for chiming in.. :)

[@roynusser5246]

I bought one of the last SMSL D1SE DACs before the new version was released, based on the review Goldensound made. He was spot on! Great all rounder. It does everything right and will do justice with anything you throw at it. The DAC in the Eversolo DMP-A6 is fine and detailed with some oomph in the bottom end, but it's also a tad too bright in my system. The D1SE is just such a pleasant listen in comparison. My system: Eversolo DMP-A6 SMSL VMV D1SE Rega Elex-r Wharfedale Linton 85th Chord Clearway x cables: speaker, interconnects and USB Monosaudio power cables

[@abxaudiophiles]

Nice set up!! Yea the Solo as a whole (Dac/Streamer) can be a little treble forward. The DAC alone is fantastic when isolated from the streamer network and puts the stage nicely into the room. I will have to check the D1SE out for sure... Thank you for sharing

[@roynusser5246]

Thanks. Now I’m at the point where I can stop thinking about gear and just enjoy listening to music. Yeah, I love the DMP-A6 as a modern jukebox with all of it’s functionality and pairing it with the D1SE is just sweet. There is one more thing I would like to share. The Denafrips Ares 2 (12th) was and still might be my must have DAC. The clincher for me though, was the fact that the Ares 2 doesn’t use an XMOS chip for the USB or SPDIF inputs. It seems that they have made their own solution. This means that when you plug it in to the source it creates a slight buffer, which in turn, makes it immune to jitter. This is great for music, but apperently terrible for TV/movies, gaming and music production, because of latency and lipsync issues. I can’t confirm this in any way, but if there is some truth to it, it could help people hack their way through the DAC jungle, depending on what they are buying it for. Have you experienced this with your Ares 2?@@abxaudiophiles

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@roynusser5246 - I have not had any issues with latency when listening to movies, etc... It has been a while since I had it in my movie room, as I have the Schiit BF2 in there now, but I will toss it back in today and verify for you.. Cheers. :)

[@Prometheus1979]

So far I’m loving my Cambridge Audio CXN-V2 streamer. I paid 1500 for it they are now just under a grand And a 2022-2023 hifi award winner.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Great option and example!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@jayem1826]

Holographic sound state! YES!

[@abxaudiophiles]

The ARES II is a soundstage monster!!

[@russellgooding7475]

Interesting Review thank you. I have a Bluesound n130. That I have upgraded with a LPS and DC PCB. That seems to have improved it a fair bit tbh. I am looking at DAC's also. Not sure if the improvement on the above and its current internal TI based DAC will be as large as the PSU change? I am in the UK, so aside from the Denefrips ( the Bifrost is almost impossible to get here for some reason). I am also looking at the Chord Qutest or Mojo 2. The FPGA in these gets some good reviews locally here. I like your rational and measured video. Any advice or thoughts gratefully received. Cheers mate.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I think you would have to push pretty high to get an overall improvement from your current set up. You may get slightly different changes by moving around a little in the dac space. But I think your set up is probably really good!! Also, little pro tip - If you can get a DAC on amazon, they have a killer return policy. Basically a great way to try some stuff and be able to instantly return. Cheers and ENJOY the MUSIC!! :)

[@russellgooding7475]

@@abxaudiophiles thank you my friend. Your comments do chime with other views I have had. E.G. that the conversion of the n130 to a Linear Power Supply is likely a bigger update than adding an external DAC, unless I go big on the price. The Chord Quest is about £1350 in the UK. So what's that, about $1700(?). I have a feeling that this may be the minimum to really improve it now. I run it via a good quality British Amp and pair of Bookshelf Speakers. So again, unless I really go to a £2k Amp, and a new £2k+ pair of speakers. I really wasn't sure I would improve it hugely? Ta for the tip on Amazon. Yes sounds like a way to remote demo gear ;-) Anyhow. Just to say, your pragmatic reviews appeal to us Brits as well.... So well done.

[@rolandd5397]

I use a laptop to connect my DAC. Does an expensive audiophile USB cable really make a difference?

[@abxaudiophiles]

Everything makes a difference. Whether we can hear it, or our systems can expose it is the question. But i would not say an "Expensive Audiophile" one makes a difference. I would say a well built one can make a difference, and that doesn't have to be expensive. :) Cheers

[@thinkIndependent2024]

​@@abxaudiophilesI wouldn't use a laptop a mini PC in the $80 range is a better option

[@abxaudiophiles]

👇LET'S HIT THE PAUSE button on this DAC Madness!! Come on in, audiophiles, and let's chat about some great options for getting a KILLER dac for little money. THE WORLDS FIRST NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!!! LET'S TALK!!! ALL YOU "AUDIOPHILES"....... 100% of all proceeds generated by this channel go to support youth musical programs. OVER $3000 DONATED TO CHARITY 🔥😍💪 NEW WEBSITE - abxaudiophiles.org/

[@TriAmpHiFi]

Use Optical output from a PC into a DAC with balanced XLR analog output? Any consensus here? Isn't the following true, as in like Physics true? 1. Optical signal can't carry a PC's machine noise. There's no electrical pathway. EMI, RFI, fan noise, power supply noise or grounding noise are of out of the signal path to this point. Right? It also kills the clock as master. Right? 2. The noise cancelling attributes in the 180 offset signal of the balanced XLR TRS connection, post DAC, would also get a near noise free signal all the way to the preamp. Right? Doesn't that just kill the need for Dig/Dig converters, network bridges, separated wall warts and all the other USB scrubbers? I do, of course, recognize that digital signal resolution is a different, subjective topic. Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@TriAmpHiFi]

Someone must have chat/AI'd this already.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Beyond my pay grade... LOL :)

[@jayem1826]

I would absolutely just love to see Maggie's in the background of someone's review! Box speaks. Box speakers. Gees

[@abxaudiophiles]

Have you seen my baffles? :) Wink Wink.. Notice my box speakers are back drops, the good stuff is in my system.. :)

[@jayem1826]

@@abxaudiophiles No. I haven't. I'll watch again.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@jayem1826 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaHOmXilh8tqopIsi=qz3b1F7HRX-uyzkq

[@andrewmccorkell652]

But yes totally agree

[@abxaudiophiles]

That’s good. It will save you money and get you the most bang for buck. 🥰🥰

[@redkh2017]

The problem with what you say is that a dac that used to cost 750 dollars 3 years ago and was considered to produce a hi-hi sound, costs about 200 dollars today. And the same goes to dacs that are now 750 dollars, as technology advances, they will cost 200 dollars in a couple of years, so soes it mean they won't be good any more? Where is the limit? You can't get more from the source than what it has

[@abxaudiophiles]

I feel what you are saying. But I know NOTHING on the new market today for $200-300 that betters the ARESII OG and the Schiit BF2 32 OG... But I do get what you are saying and agree in a sense, thanks for sharing!! :)

[@hartyewh1]

First time seeing this channel and was happy to see ABX in the name, but where's the ABX in the content? Sounds 100% subjective and unverified.

[@abxaudiophiles]

As much of this hobby is. :) Always a place and time for a good ABX test tho. I think the frame I put all this in as a reviewer is. 1. I am all for objective testing as well as subjective opinion. 2. I embrace and recognize all sorts of Biases and talk about them often. 3. We can always hear what we can measure, but cant always measure what we hear. Glad you dropped in to say hello. One thing we don't do as a charity reviewer is argue the standard audiophile banter, just no space and time. We are more interested in raising money for youth musical programs and growing together as audiophiles and a community. Too much division already in this hobby, and I am not interested in participating... :) Cheers and I hope you stick around with us..

[@scottlowell493]

I can remember when people thought that the (then $1500) Bel Canto was a holy grail DAC. A $100 DAC is just as good now.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Its a great time to be an audiophile!! :)

[@rolandd5397]

Hmmm..$100 bucks too cheap cause there are $1000 bucks DAC out there so they must be better ;)

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@rolandd5397never heard a $100 DAC better a $1000 DAC in any way. But that’s just my experience. Cheers.

[@chelillingworth9466]

I used to have a Bel Canto DAC 1 !!

[@scottlowell493]

@@rolandd5397 no, $100 dacs do not have a great analog section and will never sound better now. Yes, there are $300 DACS better than $100 dacs. The bel canto is very old tech. It has been bested, just like MOSFETS are better than bipolar transistors.

[@EricRhodeslives]

Which is it! $750,000 or $752,000?

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yea, funny. 😊😝😝

[@erics.4113]

I preferred the sound of the $752k DAC it lifted veils and the wife noticed

[@opheliumzone4671]

​@@erics.4113No, definitely the $716,000 dac was better. I heard it for myself.

[@erics.4113]

@@opheliumzone4671 how does it compare to the $150 DAC I bought? Also looking at speakers. Narrowed it down to Magico M9 or Klipsch rp6000 (used).

[@georgelaun1346]

What is a DAC?

[@abxaudiophiles]

It converts the incoming digital signal to analog.

[@jjinglenuts]

I will pay Max $500 for a dac.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Heck yea!! So you should especially look on the used side market!!! So much out there. Keep us posted.

[@BoRerunn]

Have you heard of a double DAC by AUNE S9c

[@abxaudiophiles]

I have not kind sir. 😉😉

[@BoRerunn]

@@abxaudiophiles I've been eyeing Orchard audio products . Awesome review 😎👍

[@thinkIndependent2024]

My 2 cents 1. You can add Tube PreAmp to the analog out of any DAC and get better results. 2. Weight is not everything I've built multiple SMPS into Linear Power Supply with almost zero noise { Oscilloscope Confirmed} ( Most expensive in modern DACs is power) 3. Clean power to the Streamer & DAC is most important ( Quality sound lives in the Millivolts/Microamps)

[@abxaudiophiles]

All wise words, thanks for sharing. :)

[@andrewmccorkell652]

$750,000 ??

[@rolandd5397]

That's what I am thinking or he meant 750-1000? :D

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yes. It must be a $750,000 DAC to be audiophile. 🤩🤩🤩

[@Gadgetdad007]

We don’t need to know about the non profit crap. Just get on with it.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Maybe you should just get on with it... :) Cheers.

[@whatistruth_1]

I love how these kinds of people talk about tonality and Soundstage of a dac yet they all measure flat in their frequency response. Truly disgusting that videos like this exist peddling blatantly and verifiably false information. Any proper dac will have ZERO impact on the tonality of a speaker. It's just absurd to even say that. Look at any measurement of a dac. Please don't fall for this. Just look at any ASR review of a dac. Even an 8 dollar apple dongle measures transparently in frequency response. Let alone anything bigger.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Man... I appreciate your experience, but if you cant hear the difference between a $10 DAC and the ARES II or others, then you must have hearing damage. Please don't jump on my page and spread your lack of experience as truth...