ngdhieu
Well-Known Member
Ðề: Cách nào xuất âm thanh chất lượng cao nhất từ máy tính để bàn (desktop) vào ampli 2 kênh ?
Bác chỉ cần mua 1 DAC có cổng USB là nghe ngon. Giá tầm 8tr ~ 200 triệu tùy theo thương hiệu và đẳng cấp.
Danh Sách DAC đoạt giải A+ của Stereophile 2012
Nôm na là 10 điểm rưỡi
2012 Recommended Components Digital Processors
Digital Processors
Editor’s Note: The sound of any particular CD transport/digital processor combination will be dependent on the datalink used—see “Bits is Bits?” by Christopher Dunn and Malcolm Omar Hawksford, Stereophile, March 1996, Vol. 19 No.3 (Read Review Online). Unless mentioned, processors are limited to 32/44.1/48kHz sample rates. To be included in Class A+, a digital processor must be capable of handling DSD or 24/96 LPCM data.
A+
Ayre Acoustics QB-9: $2750
The QB-9 is an asynchronous transfer mode, USB-input DAC with Ayre’s minimum-phase digital reconstruction filter implemented in Field-Programmable Gate Array. It uses a Texas Instruments TAS1020B chip, supporting sample rates up to 96kHz and word lengths up to 24 bits. High-resolution digital files “popped with life” and were marked by a natural flow and physical impact that allowed WP to form a deeper emotional connection with the music. JA: “Ayre’s QB-9 is well engineered, offering excellent performance in both the analog and digital domains, and is not compromised by its having just a USB data input.” JI felt the QB-9 exceeded the YBA WD202 and Benchmark DAC1 USB in terms of spatial detail, depth, and width, while adding a touch of seductive clarity. “Wow!” The latest version of the QB-9 uses an XMOS XS-1 microprocessor chip and supports sampling rates via USB2.0 up to 192kHz. Earlier QB-9s can be upgraded for $250. Compared with the Resolution Audio Cantata, the Ayre tended to exaggerate sibilants on some recordings but provided a warmer, fleshier midrange, felt JI. Stereophile’s “Joint Digital Source” and “Overall Component” of 2009. (Vol.32 No.10, Vol.33 No.6, Vol.34 Nos.7 & 11 Read Review Online)
Bricasti Design M1 DAC: $7995 (Chưa có Điều Khiển Từ Xa và USB 192kHZ )
With first-class fit’n’finish and uncluttered exterior design, the dual-mono M1 DAC measures a rack-friendly 17" W by 2" H by 12" D and weighs 12 lbs. It offers four digital inputs (S/PDIF, AES/EBU, BNC, optical) and accepts sampling rates up to 192kHz, but forgoes a USB input, volume control, headphone jack, and remote control. The Bricasti’s fast, detailed, powerful sound made the much less expensive Musical Fidelity M1DAC seem veiled, muffled, and slow, said JM. “The best digital playback I have heard,” he concluded. Compared with the Weiss DAC202, the Bricasti was less forgiving of poorly recorded material, but had bigger, deeper, better-defined low frequencies; compared with the dCS Debussy, the Bricasti sounded very slightly warmer and was very slightly more transparent, said JA, who also praised the M1’s state-of-the-art measured behavior. Bricasti has revised the M1’s original filter set to include eight different options and has made the upgrade available free for all registered owners. (Vol.34 No.8; Vol.35 Nos.2 & 3 Read Review Online)
dCS Debussy: $11,499
The slim, sleek Debussy D/A processor has a digital volume control, offers a full range of digital inputs including a true asynchronous USB port, and uses the latest version of dCS’s Ring DAC. While its USB, single AES, and S/PDIF inputs accept resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz, the Debussy’s dual-AES input can handle 24-bit data at 176.4 and 192kHz sample rates. Though it lacked the sophistication of dCS’s more expensive Scarlatti system, the Debussy had a fast and delicate sound, with powerful bass, dramatically solid, three-dimensional images, sensational rhythmic drive, and outstanding dynamics, said MF: “A very easy and enthusiastic recommendation.” JA agreed: “It was a pleasure to test such a superbly engineered product.” Compared with the Weiss DAC202, the Debussy offered greater resolution, transient snap, and low-bass weight, but lacked midrange warmth and overall body, said EL. Compared with the Bricasti M1, the Debussy was slightly less transparent, said JA. (Vol.34 Nos.1 & 12; Vol.35 No.2 Read Review Online)
Empirical Audio Off-Ramp 4: $799
Designed by Steve Nugent and made in the US, the Off-Ramp 4 USB format converter is housed in a small (4.25" W by 2.5" H by 7.25" D), black-anodized aluminum extrusion with black endcaps. The rear panel has a USB 2.0 port, an XLR jack for the AES/EBU output, an RCA jack for the S/PDIF output, an RJ-45 jack for the I2S output, and a DC input jack. A driver program (supplied) is required for each operating system used by the host computer. Adding the Off-Ramp 4 to his system resulted in increased soundstage size and image focus, said JA, but these results were largely dependent on the source processor’s rejection of jitter. Base price is $799; review sample included the Dual Turboclock option ($700) and Monolith lithium-ion battery supply ($1199). Options: Canare 75 ohm BNC output jack, $20; 5V I2S output capability, $50; Dual Turboclock, $700; Hynes regulator, $300; Monolith LI battery, $1199. About to be replaced by the Off-Ramp 5 with an HDMI output and sample-rate LEDs. A Follow-Up is underway. (Vol.34 No.12 Read Review Online)
Grace m903: $1995
Made in the US, the m903 looks like earlier Grace models, but has a USB 2.0 input and an asynchronous-mode USB converter. It provides balanced and single-ended analog inputs, two sets of line-level analog outputs, and two front-panel headphone jacks. Though it couldn’t match the Antelope Audio Zodiac’s punchy dynamics and speed, the Grace offered exceptional clarity and truth of timbre. Compared to Grace’s m902, the newer version had a similarly warm, rich, full-bodied sound, but added greater resolution and delicacy. “The Grace Design m903 offers remarkable clarity, continuity, and roundness of tone, and is better in almost every way than the m902,” praised JM. (Vol.34 No.12 Read Review Online)
Weiss DAC202: $6966
Made in Switzerland, the DAC202 is a digital-to-analog converter with an onboard volume control, a headphone amp, and a FireWire input. It offers AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and TosLink connections; uses an ESS9018 DAC chip; and can accept data resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. The Weiss had a smooth, delicate overall sound with a forgiving top octave, but lacked bass extension, jump factor, and involvement, said EL. Nevertheless, he concluded: “I think the Weiss DAC202 can easily offer Class A performance, especially for the audiophile who prizes its graceful, organic musicmaking.” Compared with the Bricasti M1, the Weiss had a smoother overall sound but lacked bass definition, said JA. On the test bench, the Weiss proved the best-measuring D/A processor in JA’s experience: “It just doesn’t get any better than this!” (Vol.35 Nos.1 & 2 Read Review Online)
Bác chỉ cần mua 1 DAC có cổng USB là nghe ngon. Giá tầm 8tr ~ 200 triệu tùy theo thương hiệu và đẳng cấp.
Danh Sách DAC đoạt giải A+ của Stereophile 2012
Nôm na là 10 điểm rưỡi
2012 Recommended Components Digital Processors
Digital Processors
Editor’s Note: The sound of any particular CD transport/digital processor combination will be dependent on the datalink used—see “Bits is Bits?” by Christopher Dunn and Malcolm Omar Hawksford, Stereophile, March 1996, Vol. 19 No.3 (Read Review Online). Unless mentioned, processors are limited to 32/44.1/48kHz sample rates. To be included in Class A+, a digital processor must be capable of handling DSD or 24/96 LPCM data.
A+
Ayre Acoustics QB-9: $2750
The QB-9 is an asynchronous transfer mode, USB-input DAC with Ayre’s minimum-phase digital reconstruction filter implemented in Field-Programmable Gate Array. It uses a Texas Instruments TAS1020B chip, supporting sample rates up to 96kHz and word lengths up to 24 bits. High-resolution digital files “popped with life” and were marked by a natural flow and physical impact that allowed WP to form a deeper emotional connection with the music. JA: “Ayre’s QB-9 is well engineered, offering excellent performance in both the analog and digital domains, and is not compromised by its having just a USB data input.” JI felt the QB-9 exceeded the YBA WD202 and Benchmark DAC1 USB in terms of spatial detail, depth, and width, while adding a touch of seductive clarity. “Wow!” The latest version of the QB-9 uses an XMOS XS-1 microprocessor chip and supports sampling rates via USB2.0 up to 192kHz. Earlier QB-9s can be upgraded for $250. Compared with the Resolution Audio Cantata, the Ayre tended to exaggerate sibilants on some recordings but provided a warmer, fleshier midrange, felt JI. Stereophile’s “Joint Digital Source” and “Overall Component” of 2009. (Vol.32 No.10, Vol.33 No.6, Vol.34 Nos.7 & 11 Read Review Online)
Bricasti Design M1 DAC: $7995 (Chưa có Điều Khiển Từ Xa và USB 192kHZ )
With first-class fit’n’finish and uncluttered exterior design, the dual-mono M1 DAC measures a rack-friendly 17" W by 2" H by 12" D and weighs 12 lbs. It offers four digital inputs (S/PDIF, AES/EBU, BNC, optical) and accepts sampling rates up to 192kHz, but forgoes a USB input, volume control, headphone jack, and remote control. The Bricasti’s fast, detailed, powerful sound made the much less expensive Musical Fidelity M1DAC seem veiled, muffled, and slow, said JM. “The best digital playback I have heard,” he concluded. Compared with the Weiss DAC202, the Bricasti was less forgiving of poorly recorded material, but had bigger, deeper, better-defined low frequencies; compared with the dCS Debussy, the Bricasti sounded very slightly warmer and was very slightly more transparent, said JA, who also praised the M1’s state-of-the-art measured behavior. Bricasti has revised the M1’s original filter set to include eight different options and has made the upgrade available free for all registered owners. (Vol.34 No.8; Vol.35 Nos.2 & 3 Read Review Online)
dCS Debussy: $11,499
The slim, sleek Debussy D/A processor has a digital volume control, offers a full range of digital inputs including a true asynchronous USB port, and uses the latest version of dCS’s Ring DAC. While its USB, single AES, and S/PDIF inputs accept resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz, the Debussy’s dual-AES input can handle 24-bit data at 176.4 and 192kHz sample rates. Though it lacked the sophistication of dCS’s more expensive Scarlatti system, the Debussy had a fast and delicate sound, with powerful bass, dramatically solid, three-dimensional images, sensational rhythmic drive, and outstanding dynamics, said MF: “A very easy and enthusiastic recommendation.” JA agreed: “It was a pleasure to test such a superbly engineered product.” Compared with the Weiss DAC202, the Debussy offered greater resolution, transient snap, and low-bass weight, but lacked midrange warmth and overall body, said EL. Compared with the Bricasti M1, the Debussy was slightly less transparent, said JA. (Vol.34 Nos.1 & 12; Vol.35 No.2 Read Review Online)
Empirical Audio Off-Ramp 4: $799
Designed by Steve Nugent and made in the US, the Off-Ramp 4 USB format converter is housed in a small (4.25" W by 2.5" H by 7.25" D), black-anodized aluminum extrusion with black endcaps. The rear panel has a USB 2.0 port, an XLR jack for the AES/EBU output, an RCA jack for the S/PDIF output, an RJ-45 jack for the I2S output, and a DC input jack. A driver program (supplied) is required for each operating system used by the host computer. Adding the Off-Ramp 4 to his system resulted in increased soundstage size and image focus, said JA, but these results were largely dependent on the source processor’s rejection of jitter. Base price is $799; review sample included the Dual Turboclock option ($700) and Monolith lithium-ion battery supply ($1199). Options: Canare 75 ohm BNC output jack, $20; 5V I2S output capability, $50; Dual Turboclock, $700; Hynes regulator, $300; Monolith LI battery, $1199. About to be replaced by the Off-Ramp 5 with an HDMI output and sample-rate LEDs. A Follow-Up is underway. (Vol.34 No.12 Read Review Online)
Grace m903: $1995
Made in the US, the m903 looks like earlier Grace models, but has a USB 2.0 input and an asynchronous-mode USB converter. It provides balanced and single-ended analog inputs, two sets of line-level analog outputs, and two front-panel headphone jacks. Though it couldn’t match the Antelope Audio Zodiac’s punchy dynamics and speed, the Grace offered exceptional clarity and truth of timbre. Compared to Grace’s m902, the newer version had a similarly warm, rich, full-bodied sound, but added greater resolution and delicacy. “The Grace Design m903 offers remarkable clarity, continuity, and roundness of tone, and is better in almost every way than the m902,” praised JM. (Vol.34 No.12 Read Review Online)
Weiss DAC202: $6966
Made in Switzerland, the DAC202 is a digital-to-analog converter with an onboard volume control, a headphone amp, and a FireWire input. It offers AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and TosLink connections; uses an ESS9018 DAC chip; and can accept data resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. The Weiss had a smooth, delicate overall sound with a forgiving top octave, but lacked bass extension, jump factor, and involvement, said EL. Nevertheless, he concluded: “I think the Weiss DAC202 can easily offer Class A performance, especially for the audiophile who prizes its graceful, organic musicmaking.” Compared with the Bricasti M1, the Weiss had a smoother overall sound but lacked bass definition, said JA. On the test bench, the Weiss proved the best-measuring D/A processor in JA’s experience: “It just doesn’t get any better than this!” (Vol.35 Nos.1 & 2 Read Review Online)
