OT: For the computer music server people

**alancohen** · April 17th, 2013, 12:09 PM

Some interesting things are happening in the world of DACs.

Now I can't seem to bring myself to even think about dropping $5K to over $10K for a DAC. But it seems LiPo battery power is providing a low cost solution to the power supply noise issue and making 'lower then low' noise floors possible for 1/10th of the cost of the heavy's. I've found that with our high sensitivity drivers, you can't get the noise floor too low.

Here's an article from Head-Fi regarding the topic:

The LiFePo4 Battery - A DAC Revolution

John Kenny's JKDAC32 has created a bit of a stir that others seem to be following, but he has just upped the anti with the Ciunas, a non-HiFace based unit that significantly improves on the 32:

https://sites.google.com/site/jkciunas/ciunas-dac

So if you're in the same boat as me, and haven't dropped the big bucks on a DAC yet, then at around $725 USD, this sounds like a super bargain from a guy that "gets it". Since I only have the little Dragonfly DAC at the moment, and use that for my TV server, my order is in the queue for the Ciunas to use with my 300Bs and 604Ds when they're ready. Oooooo-la-la.

**endeeinn** · April 17th, 2013, 02:52 PM

Take a look at the Asus Essence One USB DAC. At $599 list and an $899 version with MUSE01 opamps, it's a great bargain with high end sound without the high end price. All versions have replaceable opamps for opamp rollilng. I use it in conjunction with a dedicated music server and swapped out the stock opamps some precision audio only opamps and finanlly get sound that reviles or equals my CD player when playing back lossless formats such as flac. http://www.head-fi.org/t/542563/asus...dac-cebit-2011 is a thread that talks about this DAC and how it sounds with various opamps.

**alancohen** · April 17th, 2013, 05:08 PM

Will do. There is certainly an abundance of good options out there. But anything running off AC, even a wall wart will have inherent noise issues. The LiFePo battery nips that in the bud.

**Old Guy** · April 17th, 2013, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by alancohen

Will do. There is certainly an abundance of good options out there. But anything running off AC, even a wall wart will have inherent noise issues. The LiFePo battery nips that in the bud.

True, but a poor man could just rig a battery pack big enough to run the unit a long time and turn the charger off when you play music.

**alancohen** · April 17th, 2013, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Old Guy

True, but a poor man could just rig a battery pack big enough to run the unit a long time and turn the charger off when you play music.

Also true. And while this stuff is way beyond my pay grade, supposedly even a battery has an output impedance and does not guarantee a noiseless circuit. The components around it are vital to the final result. The LiFePo is claimed to be the most stable, and with his charging configuration, reported to be able to last 20 years.

JK has been knee deep in this stuff for a while and I like his philosophy. He doesn't believe in the pomp and circumstance of audio gear. His box is very plain Jane and will not likely improve your social position. It's all about SQ. That resonates with me. And no, $750 is not cheap, but reviews of his earlier device say you need to drop $5K to equal it and the new one is a notch up with a new re-clocking system.

He is also very accessible, a lot like my amp designer. I like that too.

**Old Guy** · April 17th, 2013, 06:07 PM

I'm agnostic. But nothing I've read so far makes me wanna plunk down $750.

**alancohen** · April 17th, 2013, 06:50 PM

He also lets you trust your own ears and offers a 20-day trial. if you don't think it's worth it, send back for a full refund less shipping.

**Old Guy** · April 17th, 2013, 08:35 PM

Good to know. 20 days lets the novelty wear off. And frankly. limited quantity production costs more...but the hoarder in me would rather chase a set of Altecs for that $750. OTOH some will want his device. It's a prime example of niche marketing.

**mah** · April 17th, 2013, 10:39 PM

I have ordered one of these to connect a Soundcraft Compact 4 mixer to my computer. Cost $25, new.

Test: NwAvGuy: Behringer UCA202 Review Very good results.

Anyone got links to tests(not reviews) of 'high end' converters?