Alan Sircom weighs in on the DAC9
 

Hmmm...interesting. There is virtually no info to be found what DAC chip it is using; I am assuming it is a D/S (delta-sigma) DAC? Sounds like the USB interface is less than stellar, too. The fact it does not support Roon, though, is the real deal-breaker for me.

I'll soon be moving on from D/S DACs, though. My new R2R ladder DAC, Gumby, should be arriving either late this week, or early next week. Schiit also did a significant upgrade on their USB interface, Gen 5 for all their USB-upgradeable DACs. The new Gen 5 USB input board features:

1. Electromagnetic and electrostatic isolation using transformer coupling (not the standard optocouplers)
2. Self-power by the DAC for the critical low-noise re-clocking and latching sections.
3. Precision local clocks for both 44.1 and 48k multiples

providing a significant improvement in audio quality from the Gen 3 implementation.

Going to do an A/B with the amazing new Schiit Eitr USB/SPDIF convertor to see if Gen 5 USB will be as good as S/PDIF, but first reports say that it is.

Puma,

Here's a quote from my review: "In the DAC9 architecture, which utilizes Burr-Brown TI PCM1792A DACs, native DSD files are converted to a true Direct Stream Digital signal at 2.824 or 5.6448MHz. DSD-to-PCM file conversion is unnecessary because the DAC9 uses two separate digital paths, one for PCM files and the other for serial DSD files at 1x to 2x DSD clock rates. Native DSD and DSD over PCM (DoP) are handled via USB, but only for Windows users at this time. Mac users will gain this functionality soon."

In terms of the USB quality, I found it to be on par with the DirectStream DAC USB in terms of SQ. I'm not a fan of USB as an interface in general, but the best one I've heard so far is the LessLoss Echo's End DAC out of Lithuania.

Hi Vance!

Thanks so much for this information. Really helpful. Now, where can I go to read your review? ;)

Hey, man, I'm still enjoying your CJ Premier 350! Here's the link: http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipmen...earch_dac9.htm

The Berkeley Alpha USB is pretty good too!:D

George

It is, but it's $1800. The Schiit Eitr is $179. And I would bet it sounds as good or better than the Berkeley Alpha.