Improve Your HiFi immediately! My favorite DACs under $1,000

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Жыл бұрын

SMSL SU1 amzn.to/3JMII6g
Schiit Modi www.schiit.com/products/modi-...
Geshelli Labs J2 geshelli.com/product/jnog2/
Topping E50 amzn.to/3NKASv9
SMSL Su9n amzn.to/3XGDrmm
Eversolo DAC Z8 amzn.to/3XEjbSz
Denafrips www.denafrips.com/ares-12th
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Recommended Streamer
WIIM Mini amzn.to/33CL99w
Bluesound Node shop-links.co/cgGiqJ2UFIO
Recommended Speaker List
Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Sony SSCS5 - Lively amzn.to/3pZNnGk
Neumi BS5 -Neutral amzn.to/3q0SR3B
Elac BS41 amzn.to/3SBmEgq
Around $200
Emotiva Airmotiv B1+ - Crystal Clear and Punchy emotiva.com?aff=9
Jamo Concert howl.me/cf295uVQJA0
Elac Debut b5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/2WPNQxw
JBL Stage A130 - Neutral/Great All Arounder at $179 the best value amzn.to/3t7gOHe
Around $400
Emotiva B2+ emotiva.com?aff=9
Jamo C93ii Bit - Boosted on Top howl.me/cf295uVQJA0
Q Acoustics 3030i - Neutral with Punch - amzn.to/2OQkpLo
Around $500
SVS Prime bit.ly/2LozJgF
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 bit.ly/2ZckoD9
Wharfedale Denton 80th amzn.to/3Sv8RIq
Around $600
Elac Uni-Fi UB5.2 - Neutral amzn.to/3s3srPG
Elac Debut Reference - Buttery but Detailed amzn.to/39bt6WC
Polk Reserve R100/200 howl.me/cf29UeQAWsD
Aperion Novus - Neutral and probably the best desktop speaker one can get $599 bit.ly/2Q1H9rW
Aperion Novus Open Box $449 bit.ly/3us8zGx
Wharfedale Diamonds Lush and Detailed amzn.to/3aBAso0 Come as singles
Recommended Amp List
Under $100
Aiyima A07 - Neutral and Full amzn.to/3g9YLNf
Fosi Audio V3 - Extremely Clean - Audiophile Sound (Best Amp under $250) amzn.to/3rhrpDL
Fosi Audio TB10D amzn.to/43cJtwh
Fosi Audio BT20a Pro amzn.to/3r8pgdH
Around $130
Aiyima T9 amzn.to/3F8eOb6
Around $250
SMSL DA-9 Balanced Amp amzn.to/34SdbLs
Around $400
Emotiva TA1 - DAC, Phono Stage, Pre Outs - Balanced and Tasty emotiva.com?aff=9
Recommended DACs
Geshelli Labs J2 geshelli.com/product/jnog2/
SMSL SU8s amzn.to/2SWTGiw
Denafrips Ares 2 www.denafrips.com/ares
Subs
Emotiva SE8 emotiva.com?aff=9
Emotiva SE12 emotiva.com?aff=9
SVS SB1000 Pro bit.ly/3scmwsc

Пікірлер: 239

@drogba6487 Жыл бұрын

Can attest to Geshelli's customer service. Bought a J2 used from Ebay, and one of the channels went out. Called Geshelli thinking maybe they'd repair it for a fee, if at all, with no warranty. Turns out their free repair policy covers all items-pre-owned or new-even if purchased from a third party. They replaced the board at no extra charge; only had to pay roundtrip shipping. Thanks for the rec 🙏🏾

@preiter20 Жыл бұрын

I just received my Geshelli J2 DAC (AK4493) - less than three weeks to my door from the time of order. It opened up my Elac Debut 6.2 speakers. It's like I went from listening to mono to stereo. Detail is amazing. My progression of DACs was Hifiberry DAC+ to the Schiit Modi+ (v2) then the Geshelli. Love, love, love the Geshelli DAC! For the living room with my Vandersteen 2 speakers I am considering the Denafrips Ares 2.

@So-rp6en Жыл бұрын

so the Geshelli is noticeably better than the Modi?

@flashhog01 Жыл бұрын

That is great to hear, I have the Modi 2 and while it is good and nothing to complain about, it is kind of vanilla.

@samza9622 Жыл бұрын

Yes better then modi.

@stevefoster6047 11 ай бұрын

I bought the Aries II back when you first reviewed it, and recently updated it to the 12th anniversary firmware. It's an awesome DAC. The sound stage is indeed extremely wide and immersive. I am very happy with that purchase. Denafrips has sent another firmware update that I haven't had the opportunity to install. Love their customer service!

@wendellgayheart9228 Жыл бұрын

I have the schitt modi+ …I use it between my tv and mixer board in my garage and WOW what difference! Thanks cheapaudioman ❤️👍

@earthoid Жыл бұрын

I've been using the original Schiit Modi (not the "+" version you have) to convert my TV's optical audio to analog for my big stereo rig. It is always powerd on, it always works flawlessly, and I only use it for this specific purpose. A real winner.

@apparentlyretrograde Жыл бұрын

I own both the Topping E50 and the Denafrips Ares II and I love them both, it's great having two different but excellent options. Then if they're not going into my main system, they're going into either Topping L50 or Geshelli Archel 3 Pro headphone amps. Spoiled for choice. The great thing about high quality inexpensive options is that you can often get two or three (or ten) for the price of an expensive option.

@adsph Жыл бұрын

A great list Randy. As I ponder a future dac this is timely information. Thank you.

@Envy701 Жыл бұрын

I'm still very happy with my schitt modi +. Great DAC, it's just more expensive to get in the UK, but it's still worth buying. I bought this on your recommendation, Randy. I'm not disappointed. Great video, as always. All the best.

@Envy701 Жыл бұрын

@Click-here-... REPORTED

@patrickgeorge141 Жыл бұрын

Out of this price range yet my RME ADI-2 PRO FS R BE is absolutely awesome and is my preamplifier as well so that helps.on the costs to me plus it has so many options inside. Just awesome cannot praise it enough!

@MrTeko75 Жыл бұрын

I watched several reviews of the Ares12th, yours being one of them. I had recently tried the dak magic, and I sent it back. I received the denefrips ares12th, and the sound have been so much more amazing.

@bigdan2828ify Жыл бұрын

I really like this particular video breaking down sound characteristics of each dac....

@joenovak6393 Жыл бұрын

EverSolo DAC-Z8 has the Built, Lovely screen and Sound going for it. Getting in the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer/DAC as this is the buzz right now.

@auroman302 Жыл бұрын

I’ve had both the Schitt and the Topping discussed here, and just recently bought the Chord Mojo 2. I know it is designed to be a headphone dac (maybe why not mentioned here?), but I have it connected to my stereo with a high quality 3.5 to rca and well, for me it is better than both of the ones mentioned, by a bit. It has the dimensionality that Randy mentioned about the Denafrips, and with great punch and detail. I got it used for $550, but even new it is well under 1K, with volume control, EQ, etc. Should be considered.

@ginom407 Жыл бұрын

I need second J2 for my headphone stack. The one I have in my main system really made a difference. I'm All In on Geshelli!!! Great Recommendations Randy! 👍👍👍

@jimibird1 Жыл бұрын

On your and NRD's recommendation I bought a Denafrips and I love it, thank you for the insight.

@lilpoindexter Жыл бұрын

I bought an audioquest black dragonfly for $99 a few years ago. The sound from that compared to the shitty dac in your computer is a huge step up. Im not sure how much they cost now, but i think they are good.

@paultomaszewski1964 Жыл бұрын

I commented on your review for the SMSL SU-1, that I just ordered it the day before you posted the review. You asked what I think about it so here it is. I replaced my SMSL M100 with it because the micro USB connection is failing, so this is only compared to that DAC. I have it as a secondary set up connected to my laptop and going to a Monolith Liquid Spark headphone amp. It's not night a day different, but there is subtle but noticable difference. Mainly ( for me ) it has improved soundstage and imaging. ( went from an ok 3 to 5 blob locations ( depending on headphones ) to a almost perfect smooth transition from left to right and back again ) Bass impact is a little better and overall it is a cleaner sound all together. Nice little unit.

@MarylandDevin Жыл бұрын

Nice list! I like the Bifrost 2/64. Good bang for the buck (relatively speaking). I've never heard the Ares through

@mehmetcamat4458 Жыл бұрын

I have Eversolo Z8 and I am very happy with it. I was also planning to get a denafrips ares 12th but instead I decided to get a Gustard R26

@stevezeidman7224 Жыл бұрын

These are great choices! Eliminates trying to wade through the hundreds of dacs out there. Great vid, Randy.

@cheapaudioman Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Steve O

@markg4331 Жыл бұрын

Picked-up the SU-1 for my desktop. Wow...for the money, it is crazy good.

@s.daniel9224 Жыл бұрын

I agree. The industry has used this simple way to clean up a digital signal into a ‘crucial’ piece to our systems. Different ways to dress up an input/output/chipset that they’ve packaged and overcharge us…

@Brian_Romska Жыл бұрын

I’ve got the Geshelli J2 and the only other dac I have is the ifi zen dac v2, the ifi is cool cuz it’s also a headphone amp with that sweet bass boost button, but the j2 wins all day, thanks Randy!!!

@MarkDavidMcCoskey 18 күн бұрын

Have been using an iFi Zen DAC V2 as a DAC and volume control with the XTZ Edge A-300 for amplification. A clean simple system.

@abxaudiophiles Жыл бұрын

GREAT run down Randy!! Well done as usual. Loving what Eversolo is putting out these days! Cheers and Happy Friday... :)

@cheapaudioman Жыл бұрын

Thanks, brother! Really appreciate it!

@patrickrowan2184 8 ай бұрын

@@cheapaudioman Is there something at SMSL price range that has an HDMI arc input. I just got a new TV that can do it all and would like the HDMI arc to be what carries all my audio to my DAC. Would need RCA output as well. Or should I just be content with the s/pdif input? Seems like arc has some advantages.

@surf01er66 Жыл бұрын

Good stuff, thanks

@lcd2426 Жыл бұрын

I like the SMSL M300SE over the Su-1 for the remote control and slightly better sound. But you seriously cannot beat the SU-1 for value if you just want to stream especially on a vintage receiver or integrated amp.

@shaunyweaver1144 Жыл бұрын

Synergy applies to dacs as any other audio product . I think only the very neutralist amps dac speakers etc can give you the omg moment, but that's not cheap . However you can get there with good matching . I have a ton of gear trying to get there 😅 in the end everyone to their own .

@R3s1d3ntAl13n 11 ай бұрын

Great video as always. Please can you advise whether the SU-10 is a better option to pair with my Audio Gd Master 19 than the Aune S8 or EverSolo Z8?

@NeilBlanchard Жыл бұрын

I concur fully with the Geshelli J2S being a reference DAC - it is my reference. I use the big Sparkos SS2590 dual mono module on the RCA socket (1 riser required); and I use a 12V 50W linear power supply. I have compared this to the Ares II (OG) with the 12th Anniversary firmware update - and my J2S is significantly better, in all aspects. Even with the Sparkos and LPS, the J2S costs half as much.

@spamcan9208 Жыл бұрын

What types of details are you listening for when comparing DACs?

@NeilBlanchard Жыл бұрын

@@spamcan9208 Bottom to top - back to front - all of it! The clarity and separation and layering are all quite excellent. Dynamics in the bass and midrange - airiness and space; and on good recordings, it isn't "dead" space. It feels like you can hear the space in between musicians/instruments. Details and subtleties all the way back into the mix - are all there.

@toddmoser19 Жыл бұрын

Curious what LPS you're using?

@NeilBlanchard Жыл бұрын

@@toddmoser19 I am using a Sigma 11 dual voltage unit - 5V 50W for my Node 2i, and 12V 50W for the J2S. I just got the parts today to make a Noise Nuke, which is a DC noise filter and capacitive buffer. It is supposed to significantly quiet switch mode PS, and can also make linear PS quieter, as well.

@gregbailer8701 6 ай бұрын

Neil, do you have the 4493-S or 4499/4491 current-based chips? Your thoughts on the high output 2590 Op Amps and LPS pushing more heat through the board infrastructure and pre-mature failure of the DAC? New Dayzee is factory optioned with 2590 (x8) and I am curious if upgraded to handle more juice. Geno says newer power supply but no specs on any of this just yet. Dayzee is sexy @ $1500 base +++, but is too high for me and J2S fits my comfort zone better under $800 with goodies plus LPS cost.

@jalford383 Жыл бұрын

Love my J2, and I am with you, had the changeable OP Amp board been available, I would have purchased that one.

@riccitone Жыл бұрын

I know the endless din of DAC discussions may make this a somewhat redundant request, but would love to get your impressions of the Geshelli with some different discrete opamp swaps. Have always been interested in getting a more value oriented dac and raising the bar via output stage with a simple tweak. Especially if it could then compete with dacs two or even three times the cost 🙏🏼

@anulegehfualefeh19 9 ай бұрын

Hi, Cheap audio man. Thanks for the wonderful videos. They have been very helpful to me as I am trying to build my budget system. Can you compare Chord mojo 2 vs Geshelli J2?. I am thinking of getting a used Chord mojo because it's portable, but sound is my priority.

@carminedesanto6746 Жыл бұрын

I just picked up the Wiim Pro streamer and hooked it up to a Topping E50 …and onto the Xduoo 604 driving my Sen’s 650’s . Great video 👍🍕☕️

@bonzostarr 11 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@kodakid59 6 ай бұрын

Purchased the Modi+. Huge improvement over the dac in the mini wiim. Played The Beatles White Album, all I can say " Amazing!" Thanks

@davidbirkhead1176 10 ай бұрын

Just bought a Geshelli J2 DAC with AKM4499EK chip and Sparkos Opanps and an Archel 3 Pro to drive it, after loads of advice from the patrons. Geshelli support is amazing and they are really helpful can’t recommend them enough. Just need to wait a while for it to arrive

@BabeTheAstrologer 8 ай бұрын

how was it?

@davidbirkhead1176 8 ай бұрын

Absolutely amazing love them I really notice a difference over the FIIO K9 Pro I was using before. I have focal clear MG’s which seem to really like this AMP and I had a pair of Sennheiser HD 6XX’s which I thought were awful but now they sound a hell of a lot better as well which inwas told may be down to the Archel driving them better. I have other headphones but I will be honest I haven’t got to them yet been using the HD6XX’s quite a lot trying them out and seeing if it was just me imagining a change but I don’t think in the past I could have used these for more than a day never mind 2 weeks in the past. I am going to try my Hifiman Edition XS next for a few weeks and see how they sound and if I notice the same kind of diffrence with them.

@keianrobinson6305 10 ай бұрын

Hi Randy, love the Channel. I’m thinking of buying the Eversolo dac-z6 have you any experience of how it stands up to the z8 ? Thanks

@roncoklan6365 Жыл бұрын

I’ve relied on your advice to purchase an SVS 3000 micro and Wiim Mini. Just received my J2S AKM with Sparkos opamps. Huge difference from the onboard DAC in my Onkyo A9050. Thanks Randy! You’re batting 1000!

@cheapaudioman Жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanks so much for your support! Really appreciate the note and encouragement. So glad you enjoy everything

@anthonyalvarado1635 Жыл бұрын

Hi randy happy belated 4th. I have a j2 akm version based off of your recommendation, seems like we have a similar musical ear. I saw the eversolo and I love the look of it however I also love the sound of the j2. Do you think the eversolo is an upgrade in terms.of sound compared to the j2 ?

@reconbbs360 Жыл бұрын

Geshelli J2 socketed with Sparkos labs op amps = Chefs kiss. Ended up stealing them from a A07 I wasn't using anymore. Definitely noticed a difference after the op amp swap.

@cemsomaklar4165 5 ай бұрын

I have been interested in Hifi hobby since 2010. I don't know the technical part of the job. I take a basic system and proceed by adding to it. Cable dac. The real skipping point in music was that I was connecting the laptop directly to the DAC. I bought Sotm 200 neo on the recommendation of a friend. I hear more mature music in my room. I don't claim it's the best. Media player and dac. That's real progress. Hifi hobby itch never ends.😂

@palbada8827 Жыл бұрын

Hi Randy, thank you for this video. Based on your experience, which external DAC can improve the sound of wiim pro streamer? Thank you

@toddlaing1 Жыл бұрын

Could you do a video explaining the op amps??

@JoseFerreira-zb7wh Жыл бұрын

I know it's hard to keep up, seeing how fast smsl and topping launch dacs, but i think some of their newer units could have a place in your ranking. I think mojo 2 from chord could also have a place. Been eyeing that one. Seems great value looking at its features and overall quality.

@Simon_Hawkshaw Жыл бұрын

I must admit, out of all the equipment I have, the DAC is the unit that I really don't hear much sonic difference. It is very frustrating to me as so many better qualified and experienced people swear by many different units. This fuels my FOMO paranoia and has me chasing the proverbial hidden dragon. Once I have reset my audio funds account, I will be back into the fray and searching. So, thank you for this timely review and suggestions. Your time, effort, and straightforward honesty are very much appreciated and refreshing.

@s.daniel9224 Жыл бұрын

Same here. I haven’t heard one that I feel as a ‘have to have’ piece of equipment.

@johnh3476 Жыл бұрын

Don't follow the sheep. If you can't here the difference save your time and money. These reviewers are not your ears.

@carlsitler9071 10 ай бұрын

My 60 year old ears may or may not hear a difference. I still mainly use the first dac I purchased (Sanskrit 2). I bought a couple others but didn't hear an improvement.

@s.daniel9224 10 ай бұрын

@@carlsitler9071 yep, my 53 year old ears, most of which on a flight line, can’t really make a difference.

@Simon_Hawkshaw 10 ай бұрын

@@carlsitler9071 Absolutely. I'm with you on this. I really can't hear the difference between DACs either, but it is 'fun', and expensive, searching for the grail. 😂

@alfaholic3 Жыл бұрын

I love the J2 the only issue I have with it is the inputs on the front I wish they were on the back instead.

@donovancherryholme Жыл бұрын

The smsl Do300 is pretty sweet also with remote and screen

@marckant3611 Жыл бұрын

In 2022 ASR did a review of the Geshelli Labs J2 and it didn't measure that well. The Topping E50 for example did measure much better. However I wonder if we can hear the difference between them.

@geneg6343 Жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC? I have been using the Bifrost connected to PC via usb and streaming Tidal. The Bifrost is connected to the Schiit Folkvnagr (tube) amp. This setup is used for headphone listening only. I am using the Denon AH-D9200 headphones.

@heywoodx5353 Жыл бұрын

Hi, How would you compare the SMSL SU-1 with the Geshelli J2, both with the AKM chip? Thanks

@mikec3412 11 ай бұрын

Trying to decide between the SMSL SU1 or the Topping D10B. The Topping has better specs on paper, but different chip...

@radiofreealbemuth 2 ай бұрын

Can I ask how is the noise floor on the Denafrips Ares 12? The product specs says THD+N is 0.004% I'm not sure if this is the spec to look for, when it comes to noise floor, but SMSL SU9 Ultra gets praised for having a black background, and its THD+N is 0.0006%