🔥THE MOST VERSATILE AKM4493/ESS DAC EVER AND ONLY $160 - WOWZA

[@abxaudiophiles]

The first ever DAC to blend ESS and AKM chips We really enjoyed this guy, come see.... a.co/d/gSyuEuZ THE WORLDS ONLY NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!! 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO YOUTH MUSICAL PROGRAMS OVER $8,500 DONATED TO CHARITY 🔥😍💪 #bestdac #dac #budget NEW WEBSITE - abxaudiophiles.org/ DISCORD - discord.gg/U8tkTczn2m PATREON - www.patreon.com/user?u=81133993 INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/abxaudiophile/ KZbin - kzbin.info/door/SHzxoQynQWb8IGrQsEz_DQ FACEBOOK- facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555402731558 ABX-Audiophiles Playlist on all your streaming services - sdz.sh/eBTib5 Affiliate Links - Emotiva - emotiva.com/?aff=21 Geshelli - geshelli.com/?ref=14 Orchard Audio - orchardaudio.com/abx-audiophile?nocache=1

[@OldGuyHifi]

Fascinating little unit. You know I am an AKM man. Great video.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@OldGuyHifi Thanks Ed!! If you want I’ll send it to ya.

[@dakudakota8502]

Can you recommend a DAC for home audio that use akm chip? I am having hard time finding one. Also i have a pioneer receiver so i would be able to connect a external DAC to the receiver and the receiver wont use its own DAC? This is how it works? Sorry i am new to home audio. Please reply thanks.

[@NeilBlanchard]

Maybe they are doing their own version of the AKM 4499/4191 chipset? The 4191 does the digital processing, and the 4499 does the DAC function?

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yea, i could not find much on it, less taking it apart. They just claim ESS and AKM blendable - Here is the marketing verbiage - "Switchable dual DAC chips: Pioneering the world's first DAC chip switching technology, backed by a proprietary patent, adopts 2pcs of DAC chips - ESS9038Q2M and AK4493. The groundbreaking design enables users to enjoy the robust dynamics of the ESS9038Q2M or the refined tones of the AK4493, vastly enhancing personalized audio experiences and pioneering new frontiers in the HiFi realm."

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@abxaudiophiles Yup - I am guessing that the ESS chip is in a similar role as the 4191 chip, and the 4493 is doing something similar to the 4499 in that more expensive AKM 4499EX chipset? And they are using it as a selling point, and letting folks choose what they like.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@NeilBlanchard - Yea, that seems accurate. Pretty fun little DAC. And the differences are pretty clear when swapping. I would not say they are "Subtle," but that is probably system-dependent on how big of a change will be realized. ;)

[@gabrielitobelangel2819]

How about the ops amp sir, can we change another ops amp?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@gabrielitobelangel2819 Not sure. I know Old Guy HiFi dives deep into that stuff. I don’t give this budget stuff that much of a deep dive.

[@mikek.856]

Very nice having A/B as well as an A+B comparison capability especially for that price.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yea. And you can hear stark differences. I loved the blended setting.

[@ascubapro]

Looks like a nice Dac yes I think pairing with a wiim would work. Thanks again for another awesome review.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@ascubapro that would be a great pairing. Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@mcjonner]

Oh wow I wonder how it stacks up against geshelli labs j2? If I created a separates system that would have been my choice

[@abxaudiophiles]

It is closer to the J2 than most will admit.. Wink Wink.. ;)

[@bengleason508]

Thanks James

[@abxaudiophiles]

My pleasure. :) Cool little DAC

[@thinkIndependent2024]

😮My unit will arrive tomorrow can't wait , Changeable Op Amps along with ability to upgrade the power supply. Never underestimate what clean power can do to CHI FI ESS digital is fixable BTW

[@abxaudiophiles]

Very nice! Fun little DAC

[@abxaudiophiles]

Keep us posted on your thoughts.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

No headphone out. Useless. How hard would it be?

[@abxaudiophiles]

Hm. I’m no engineer so…. I’m sure it’s possible.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I know tons of products like this that don't have headphones out. It is not designed nor marketed for the headphone crowd. It is like saying, "Damn them guys, why could they not have designed that car with a truck bed so I could haul my lumber?" Because it's a Car, not a Truck.. Funny stuff buddy. But it for sure is not "useless." 😁😁

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@abxaudiophiles Ok. Buddy. Cost of including a headphone jack? It's my opinion. It's useless to me. You act as if I insulted you personally. Did I say it should be your opinion? Unreal attitude, buddy. Did I call you buddy yet? Oh Ya.. Just did. F'n unreal. Funny how your first answer was normal. You came back for this one. Day drinking?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@wahid-lg1kk - I think you mis read the tone of my reply.. :) Just making the point that most manufactures have a budget, goal, and consumer in mind.. So it may be useless to you, but that doesn't make it useless overall. All good here man, I ain't mad at nobody.. ;) And no day drinking here.. But it is friday, so probably later this afternoon.. HA

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@abxaudiophiles well, apologies then, I am sensitive to perceived condescension, and then, 'funny stuff, buddy'? . I was just irritated as the product really does everything I want, except power my headphones. I would really like to buy that thing.

[@middleearthltd]

I duct-taped an $80 AK 4499 SMSL SU 1 And a $110 Topping DS 10S ES 9038 together when I saw this one. Why not get a two-fer DS chip DAC I did see that allegedly the only way to change from one chip to the other was with the remote which if true seems really odd to me

[@abxaudiophiles]

But can you blend the two DACs together like this guy? 🧐🧐🧐 😁😁😁

[@middleearthltd]

@@abxaudiophiles that is a unique feature…ebony and ivory at once Chi-Fi gets a mixed reception but for me something like this is an interesting notion Not on my wish list but I do admire the creativity

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@middleearthltd me too. Not end game, but intriguing and fun. 🤩

[@adsph]

Pretty good for the outlay of cash

[@abxaudiophiles]

From what I heard today, I’d agree. 😊

[@DustinDonohue]

Dual DACs for any occasion!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Vewy Interesting as they say.. HA ;)

[@abxaudiophiles]

Or you can blend them for a totally cool sound

[@sevengrey2408]

nice!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jaysullivan9545]

Bang fer buck entry product. Good review. Wuf. 🐻

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thanks buddy. ✅. Cheers 🍻