I'm not good in english, if you find any grammer error just PM me and i will correct them ![smile.gif]()
Introduction
Which DAC to buy?
Thats the question. I live in JB and there are no way to let me listen to the DACs.malaysia audio equipment market always robber you. So i decided to use the same way like how i purchased my tube amp (amazing perfomance though), go to china trading site and buy the DAC
Selecting the DAC
There are a lot of choice from china market,
like other people, choose product by sales rate. So I'll list top 3 DAC from the trading website
1. DAC + Tube Amplifier all in one - approx RM300
uhh... I don't want this!
2. Purepiper DAC A-1
I've choosen this, i will explain why i choose it.
3. DIY DAC - Approx RM600
I'm confused which to choose last time, between this and purepiper DAC A-1, but in the end, i choose purepiper dac, will explain why later too.
Why Purepiper DAC A-1?
1. Uses discrete component as I/V converter
2. Uses DIR9001 as Digital Receiver
This chip have a amazing feature, thats Dual PLL design (Phase locked loop), What is that again? AFAIK, it Syncs the clock to SPDIF sender's clock twice to reduce the clock differenceThis will greatly reduce the jitter to produce cleaner and more accurate sound.But, this chip only supports 96Khz/24bit maximum.96Khz/24bit is more than enough, CD quality only 44.1Khz/16bit.They scarifice the marketting (don't want 192Khz) for higher audio quality (Dual PLL), thats why i choose purepiper.
3. Uses CS4398 DAC
Yes. They scarifice their marketting for higher audio quality again. They don't use PCM1792 128SNR as their DAC to make more customer choose their product, but uses the CS4398 DAC 120SNR, it is because their research team have been researched on the following chip over 10 years, so they will keep using CS4398 for their products for sure.
4. Pure DAC Function
I love pure function electronics. This only have DAC function and doesn't include something like build in cheap headphone amp, cheap USB receiver etc.
5. IMBA Packaging
They have very nice packaging, the packaging is totally unbreakable by throwing. This is a very important point since i want to ship them from China to Malaysia
* It also uses dual transformer, one for digital and one for analog, but this isn't the reason i buy this DAC so I will not talk much about it.
Since this DAC don't have USB input, i have bought a USB to SPDIF converter, it have ASRC function to reduce jitter again. Since it's not related to the DAC review topic, i don't talk too much about it.
Unboxing
Sound Quality
DAC Specifications :
Input Method : SPDIF 0 Optical or Coaxial
Input Voltage : 0.5V~5Vpp
Supported Digital Format : 32KHz，44.1KHz，48KHz，88.2KHz，96KHz, Auto Select up to 24bit
Output : RCA
Output Voltage : 2VRMS (CD)
Frequency Responses - 5Hz~45KHz (+0.01dB；-0.5dB)
Frequency Responses - 10Hz~20KHz (±0.01dB)
SNR : 120dB
THD+N : -107dB
Power Consumption : 6W
Size : 270×180×70mm
Weight - DAC Only : 2.5KG
Weight - With Packaging : 3.0KG
My Equipment currently :
DIY power filter -> US Audio power cord -> DAC
DIY Power filter -> US Audio Power Cord -> Tube Amplifier
Dell Inspiron 1520 USB out -> USB to SPDIF Converter CM6631 with ASRC -> Coaxial to Purepiper DAC A-1 -> RCA to M6 Tube Amplifier -> 6.35mm jack to Denon D2000
Test songs : (Both are MP3 320kbps or FLAC)
Bon Jovi - Livin on the prayer
Bon Jovi - You give love a bad name
Digimon Tamers - The Biggest Dreamer
Beethoven Virus
Richard Clayderman Pianos
六兆年一夜物语12合唱
It doesn't sound very well in the beginning. Reviews write after hundred hours of burn in.
I've upgraded from ASUS Xonar Essence STX sound card, the biggest difference is the sound become amazingly clean, extremely, unexpectly. The musics like gangnam style or smooth criminal (MJ's) become bored, because their bass too clean, I find thats boring. The most amazing is I can hear the difference between 320kbps MP3 and FLAC lossless with this DAC. For the highs, it doesn't pierce at all. For Rock songs like Bon Jovi's, i can hear all instruments clearly with this DAC. The detail also a huge increment due to having a noiseless sound. I can hear more detail in bass, voice, instruments etc..Thats all i can talk about this DAC. A good DAC produces clean sound, nothing much to talk about. Clean sound improves everything![rolleyes.gif]()
Disassembly
Photo limition exceed. No photos anymore. Check out the high resolution gallary :
Purepiper DAC A-1 Disassembly - Skydrive DSLR 19MP Gallery
Conclusion
Again, I'm amazed by its cleanliness for its price. I'm not surprised for something like sudden soundstage increase, just for the cleanliness, but it improves everything.
Pros :
- Extremely clean sound for its price.
- Nicely soldered components.
- Uses dual transformer, Analog and Digital totally splitted.
- Build in power filter circuit.
- Discrete I/V converter design.
- Dual PLL function
- Thick and hard metal chassis
- Complete package, includes warranty card, user manual etc.
Cons :
- The handwork still needs improvement, the screw quality is low
- The bottom part only have 3 stand, would be better if have 4 stand
- The power cord isn't tight enough(it will not fall off)![unsure.gif]()
- really need improvement in outlook![doh.gif]()
Introduction
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Which DAC to buy?
Thats the question. I live in JB and there are no way to let me listen to the DACs.malaysia audio equipment market always robber you. So i decided to use the same way like how i purchased my tube amp (amazing perfomance though), go to china trading site and buy the DAC
Selecting the DAC
There are a lot of choice from china market,
like other people, choose product by sales rate. So I'll list top 3 DAC from the trading website
1. DAC + Tube Amplifier all in one - approx RM300
uhh... I don't want this!
2. Purepiper DAC A-1
I've choosen this, i will explain why i choose it.
3. DIY DAC - Approx RM600
I'm confused which to choose last time, between this and purepiper DAC A-1, but in the end, i choose purepiper dac, will explain why later too.
Why Purepiper DAC A-1?
1. Uses discrete component as I/V converter
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
2. Uses DIR9001 as Digital Receiver
This chip have a amazing feature, thats Dual PLL design (Phase locked loop), What is that again? AFAIK, it Syncs the clock to SPDIF sender's clock twice to reduce the clock differenceThis will greatly reduce the jitter to produce cleaner and more accurate sound.But, this chip only supports 96Khz/24bit maximum.96Khz/24bit is more than enough, CD quality only 44.1Khz/16bit.They scarifice the marketting (don't want 192Khz) for higher audio quality (Dual PLL), thats why i choose purepiper.
3. Uses CS4398 DAC
Yes. They scarifice their marketting for higher audio quality again. They don't use PCM1792 128SNR as their DAC to make more customer choose their product, but uses the CS4398 DAC 120SNR, it is because their research team have been researched on the following chip over 10 years, so they will keep using CS4398 for their products for sure.
4. Pure DAC Function
I love pure function electronics. This only have DAC function and doesn't include something like build in cheap headphone amp, cheap USB receiver etc.
5. IMBA Packaging
They have very nice packaging, the packaging is totally unbreakable by throwing. This is a very important point since i want to ship them from China to Malaysia
* It also uses dual transformer, one for digital and one for analog, but this isn't the reason i buy this DAC so I will not talk much about it.
Since this DAC don't have USB input, i have bought a USB to SPDIF converter, it have ASRC function to reduce jitter again. Since it's not related to the DAC review topic, i don't talk too much about it.
Unboxing
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Sound Quality
DAC Specifications :
Input Method : SPDIF 0 Optical or Coaxial
Input Voltage : 0.5V~5Vpp
Supported Digital Format : 32KHz，44.1KHz，48KHz，88.2KHz，96KHz, Auto Select up to 24bit
Output : RCA
Output Voltage : 2VRMS (CD)
Frequency Responses - 5Hz~45KHz (+0.01dB；-0.5dB)
Frequency Responses - 10Hz~20KHz (±0.01dB)
SNR : 120dB
THD+N : -107dB
Power Consumption : 6W
Size : 270×180×70mm
Weight - DAC Only : 2.5KG
Weight - With Packaging : 3.0KG
My Equipment currently :
DIY power filter -> US Audio power cord -> DAC
DIY Power filter -> US Audio Power Cord -> Tube Amplifier
Dell Inspiron 1520 USB out -> USB to SPDIF Converter CM6631 with ASRC -> Coaxial to Purepiper DAC A-1 -> RCA to M6 Tube Amplifier -> 6.35mm jack to Denon D2000
Test songs : (Both are MP3 320kbps or FLAC)
Bon Jovi - Livin on the prayer
Bon Jovi - You give love a bad name
Digimon Tamers - The Biggest Dreamer
Beethoven Virus
Richard Clayderman Pianos
六兆年一夜物语12合唱
It doesn't sound very well in the beginning. Reviews write after hundred hours of burn in.
I've upgraded from ASUS Xonar Essence STX sound card, the biggest difference is the sound become amazingly clean, extremely, unexpectly. The musics like gangnam style or smooth criminal (MJ's) become bored, because their bass too clean, I find thats boring. The most amazing is I can hear the difference between 320kbps MP3 and FLAC lossless with this DAC. For the highs, it doesn't pierce at all. For Rock songs like Bon Jovi's, i can hear all instruments clearly with this DAC. The detail also a huge increment due to having a noiseless sound. I can hear more detail in bass, voice, instruments etc..Thats all i can talk about this DAC. A good DAC produces clean sound, nothing much to talk about. Clean sound improves everything
Disassembly
Photo limition exceed. No photos anymore. Check out the high resolution gallary :
Purepiper DAC A-1 Disassembly - Skydrive DSLR 19MP Gallery
Conclusion
Again, I'm amazed by its cleanliness for its price. I'm not surprised for something like sudden soundstage increase, just for the cleanliness, but it improves everything.
Pros :
- Extremely clean sound for its price.
- Nicely soldered components.
- Uses dual transformer, Analog and Digital totally splitted.
- Build in power filter circuit.
- Discrete I/V converter design.
- Dual PLL function
- Thick and hard metal chassis
- Complete package, includes warranty card, user manual etc.
Cons :
- The handwork still needs improvement, the screw quality is low
- The bottom part only have 3 stand, would be better if have 4 stand
- The power cord isn't tight enough(it will not fall off)
- really need improvement in outlook
