Experts publication Xbt within the project "Crystal Sound" conducted a comparative test of six external digital-to-analog converters. These gadgets are compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad and are designed for fans of high-quality sound.
All test participants is small in size and the possibility of battery life from the internal battery.Thus, the device is primarily designed for use with smartphones and music players. However, nothing prevents their use with a desktop computer and a laptop - because the built-in headphones-amplifier is able to cope not only with portable headphone models, but also with full-size, and even with a very low sensitivity.
To test all six gadgets simultaneously connected to a single computer. It was created 6 portable copies of foobar2000. Starts the test composition was established a comfortable sound level. Next, using RMAA exhibited the same volume for all devices with headphones to eliminate the effect of subsidence on the load voltage. The volume of all devices exhibited up to 0.1 dB.
6th place
Venture Craft Go DAP BXD sounds nice and smooth, but the DAC too slick simple. In justification say that the function of the DAC had not the main, it's more analog headphone amplifier. A strong feeling that the Japanese screwed DAC side, just in case. Well, who knows what.
5th place
Tento Porta DAC 1866 strongly stands out for its sound character in comparison with the others. Apparently, this was the main goal of the developer. The sound level is high, but fainted on the quality or detail does not fall. There is no "golden age numbers" are not personally hear. The sound is not bad, a little rough. Mids are transmitted most well and reliably. We are confident that the device will find its fans pure R-2R-converters. Headphone Amplifier done very well; judging by the complete absence of subsidence of the load, the device is a powerful buffer and zero output impedance.
4th place
Very strongly made FiiO E18 Kunlun. This sound of 1798 is not expected. Such democratic access to high level. Gap to the leaders quite small - at a very attractive price. The model, of course, successful. High frequencies are very clean and detailed. Beautiful sound.
2nd and 3rd place
Sound Blaster E5 striking detail in the midrange and bribes very wide stereo. To the leaders left literally a little bit, and if your headphones or speakers are not class Hi-End, then you no difference, with great probability, will not hear. Sound almost optimum. This is exactly what you need from the USB DAC. You can listen to for a long time even in the most expensive equipment and does not see any flaws. In comparison with the Denon can not give preference to any of these devices. Both at the same level, with the sound of the highest category.
Denon DA-10 - great sounding DAC. Special services at high frequencies, the sound character closer to the audiophile than the analytical. Feels kind of its own peculiar interpretation. For fans of the brand and stationary devices of this Japanese company - highly recommended.
1st place
Oppo HA-2 bypasses all though very slightly but steadily. This portable hybrid amplifier (class AB) is equipped with a built-in battery that charges and is connected to the USB-in gadget.Placed inside the DAC, receiving stream PCM 384 kHz and DSD256 with mobile devices running iOS and Android.
Experts can not say that the sound of a reference, but it is the most detailed, and it is immediately captivating. For the full potential is better to pick the best quality headphones and speakers, and then the sound of opening something new, not previously heard sound.No color or its interpretation here is not felt. Focus from equipment immediately transferred to the music.
The experts noted, in comparison with integrated sound and even a laptop with the sound quite good codec smartphone any of the tested USB DAC plays better on the order. The better play your headphones or speakers, the better hear the difference, the more new items appear in the sound. This means that the sense in buying these devices is even available, but only for the owners of the normal audio path, says the publication. Not necessarily Hi-End, but successful models of equipment Hi-Fi or studio monitors - a necessary minimum.