Massdrop is putting out the SDAC-B. (balanced DAC)
The specs. are, to say the least, impressive:
http://dro.ps/b/73pRcOauHW99/l
The expected ship date is May 24, 2019.
They expect to bill ya for it by the end of this month.
Hmmm.
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.
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?
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 (https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-o2-sdac-dac-amp)
yeah looks dope, esp at $149. hopefully they do another run
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-grace-design-standard-dac-balanced
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
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.
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?
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
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.
I run the original SDAC with a 02 headphone amp with some ATH-M50's at the office. It sounds great.
Drop has the AAA THX 789 headamp again for $400 American <cheap>
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".
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 !
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.
I just setup the SDAC-B today for my home rig. All I can say: :o
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. :clapping:
+T for new toys
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: :o
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. :clapping:
you need a chromecast audio... i grabbed a grip of them for multiroom when they were closing them out, holler if you want one
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
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
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.