Author Topic: Grace Design SDAC-B (Read 8563 times)

Chilly Brioschi · « **on:** August 16, 2018, 06:11:19 PM »

Massdrop is putting out the SDAC-B. (balanced DAC)
The specs. are, to say the least, impressive:

http://dro.ps/b/73pRcOauHW99/l

WiFiJeff · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2018, 07:58:17 PM »

The expected ship date is May 24, 2019.

They expect to bill ya for it by the end of this month.

Hmmm.

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2018, 03:14:02 AM »

DSD256
24/192
Balanced
Asahi Kasei Microdevices 4452
Grace Design
...It'll kill me to wait, but I'm in.

I trust Grace Design from their history and Massdrop seems to be holding it together.
Expectation is a reference DAC that runs on USB and has great connectivity options.
I see it as a missing link in my tablet-based master system ahead of my integrated tube amp.

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2019, 08:04:01 PM »

Boom!
Hear that Drop?

Now what to feed it with? I guess that Tab via USB to start.
Where to point those Balanced Outs to?

I want a soft-clip power amp where I can roll Op Amps on the Pre side.

Ideas?

voltronic · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2019, 09:20:18 PM »

Quote from: 108Ω on July 12, 2019, 08:04:01 PM

Boom!
Hear that Drop?

Now what to feed it with? I guess that Tab via USB to start.
Where to point those Balanced Outs to?

I want a soft-clip power amp where I can roll Op Amps on the Pre side.

Ideas?

This is the first I'm seeing this. Very interested!

What I really would love is for them to do a balanced version of this combo unit:
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-o2-sdac-dac-amp

jerryfreak · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2019, 10:13:37 AM »

yeah looks dope, esp at $149. hopefully they do another run

dactylus · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2019, 03:34:27 PM »

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced

kindms · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2019, 04:03:52 PM »

Quote from: dactylus on July 19, 2019, 03:34:27 PM

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced

TY. I pre-ordered. I love my sdac but the updated specs on this one will be a nice addition to the main system

SDAC-B >XLR >Outlaw monoblocks >VR2s

that should be sweet

voltronic · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2019, 09:29:36 PM »

Well, I just pulled the trigger on an 02+SDAC. I decided I don't really need the balanced output, and I have a set of Sennheiser 650s on the way that need more juice to drive them than my Focusrite interface can give.

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2019, 10:48:25 AM »

The straight line to power amp idea is interesting
Levels and DSP at source. Hmmm

Looking at a Cambridge 851A integrated
(Lots of inter-channel isolation and headroom)

Did Monoprice ever license any AAA THX modules?

jerryfreak · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2019, 10:34:16 PM »

Quote from: 108Ω on July 21, 2019, 10:48:25 AM

The straight line to power amp idea is interesting

i wish it had a volume control

my benchmark remains the critical link between the music and my powered monitors

spyder9 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2019, 11:09:25 AM »

I use the original SDAC (rca) in my office at work. Tremendous value. The thing sounds great right out of the box. Connected to a Plugable USB-C Docking Station, Windows 10 Pro recognized it with ease. I'm sure the Balanced version will be a homerun as well.

IowaClint · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2019, 08:59:33 AM »

I run the original SDAC with a 02 headphone amp with some ATH-M50's at the office. It sounds great.

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2019, 08:13:35 PM »

Drop has the AAA THX 789 headamp again for $400 American <cheap>

voltronic · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2019, 07:28:22 AM »

A question for those who have ordered these Drop Studio products before:

Do they ship directly from China? Mine shipped a few days ago, but the tracking continues to just say "shipping partner".

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2019, 08:26:23 PM »

I don't like cardboard in the house, so I unboxed outside.
The outer pack was recycled, the inner is very USA, in printing, and smell.
I read the label, and did not think "China"... and I get a least one China Post package a month.

FWIW, my last prescription, filled at Walmart, was "list price" $4107, but I paid $73 with a GoodRx coupon !
Insurance offered to cover 1/15th of it !
Why am I off on this tangent?
The drug was made in China ...

The SDAC-B sounds like my Benchmark, super clean and clear as a mountain sky on a perfect day.
It's almost unnerving to not hear mid-bass thickening like my normal set up has.
Not like taking off sunglasses, but feels more like that little bit of haze has lifted.
More listening to do !

voltronic · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2019, 01:47:23 PM »

I know this thread is about the SDAC-B, but I just received my 02+SDAC and am using it to feed my HD650s.

WOW. The 650s need the extra gain switch engaged to play loudly, but once that's done, DAMN this is a sweet-sounding combo. Absolutely effortless sound.

spyder9 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2019, 11:25:36 AM »

I just setup the SDAC-B today for my home rig. All I can say:

What makes this little wonder great: 3.5mm optical-in. I still had a couple of these toslink cables from my 'Nomad Jukebox 3' days. Hooked it up to Ht-Omega eClaro soundcard. Bam! Sounds great with this setup. USB direct sounded a little strident. I'm gonna add a passive preamp to the chain too.

A+ to Grace Design for another great product.

Chilly Brioschi · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2019, 07:07:50 PM »

+T for new toys

jerryfreak · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2019, 07:36:56 PM »

Quote from: spyder9 on September 14, 2019, 11:25:36 AM

I just setup the SDAC-B today for my home rig. All I can say:

What makes this little wonder great: 3.5mm optical-in. I still had a couple of these toslink cables from my 'Nomad Jukebox 3' days. Hooked it up to Ht-Omega eClaro soundcard. Bam! Sounds great with this setup. USB direct sounded a little strident. I'm gonna add a passive preamp to the chain too.

A+ to Grace Design for another great product.

you need a chromecast audio... i grabbed a grip of them for multiroom when they were closing them out, holler if you want one

spyder9 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2019, 11:27:10 PM »

I added a simple volume control to the chain, Nobsound NS-05P, and it does a great job for on-the-cheap. For sound card setting in Win10, I selected "Digital Output (eClaro)" instead of "Speakers (eClaro)". When set to "Digital Output (eClaro)" the Win10 volume control slider becomes only an On/Off, does nothing to change loudness.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXC9HHW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jerryfreak · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2019, 12:24:18 AM »

I have a similar looking thing called a “little bear MC2” that I got from eBay for 25 bucks. I actually bought mine to go from unbalanced to balanced connections for my monitors but it has a volume control as well just like that one

spyder9 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2019, 03:13:21 PM »

Quote from: jerryfreak on September 24, 2019, 12:24:18 AM

I have a similar looking thing called a “little bear MC2” that I got from eBay for 25 bucks. I actually bought mine to go from unbalanced to balanced connections for my monitors but it has a volume control as well just like that one

Same company, just rebranded. Mine actually shipped in a box labeled "Little Bear MC2". Rock solid for my needs.