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00:00:00 – 00:23:07
The video provides an in-depth review of various Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) that the speaker has favored over the past six years, emphasizing that "best" is subjective and individual preferences, needs, and financial situations greatly influence choice. Key DACs discussed include the Topping D10s, known for its affordability and clarity; the Chord Mojo 2, praised for its custom FPGA design, rechargeable battery, and superior performance; and the Denafrips Ares 2, noted for its unique ladder implementation. The speaker also highlights the Hugo 2 for its versatility and slightly better performance than the Mojo 2, and the Lyngdorf TDAI-3400, which features RoomPerfect room correction software for significant sound optimization. The Mola Mola Tambaqui stands out for its high-end performance, appealing to users with advanced audio setups. The speaker underscores the importance of prioritizing amplifiers, speakers, and room acoustics before investing heavily in DACs and announces plans for a future video detailing why certain DACs were not included in their top favorites. Viewers are encouraged to share their experiences and support the speaker on Patreon.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their approach to identifying the best DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) over the past six years. They emphasize that “best” is subjective and varies based on individual tastes, needs, and financial situations. Thus, they frame their selected DACs as personal favorites rather than definitive bests. They mention that their recommendations cover a wide range of price points and that this overview will be brief since detailed reviews of each DAC already exist. The first DAC mentioned is the Topping D10s, praised for its affordability around 100 euros, single USB digital input, and twin RCA analog outputs.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their preference for the Topping D10s DAC over the built-in headphone socket of a MacBook Pro 13 inch, noting that it provides more resolution and detail in audio playback. However, the DAC can sometimes sound a bit thin and therefore needs to be paired with robust amplifiers, loudspeakers, and headphones to achieve the best sound. The speaker emphasizes that the differences between DACs are generally smaller than those between amplifiers, speakers, and rooms, but DACs remain popular due to their relevance for both headphone and loudspeaker listeners. The Topping D10s is favored due to two features: a sample rate display on the front panel and better clarity on the actual audio processing compared to similar-priced rivals.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the features and performance of different digital-to-analog converters (DACs). They mention that the Topping D10s can act as a USB splitter or converter using its coax and toslink outputs, which is beneficial if a DAC lacks a USB input. However, the Topping D10s does not match the sound quality of the Ever Solo DMP A6 streaming DAC, which is significantly more expensive. The video then transitions to the Chord Mojo 2 DAC, emphasizing its unique design that uses a custom FPGA for DA conversion rather than an off-the-shelf chip. This allows the Mojo 2 to deliver superior performance compared to other DACs that rely on standard chips. Furthermore, the speaker highlights the importance of the analog output stage and power supply in determining a DAC’s sound quality, pointing out that factors beyond the DAC chip itself contribute to overall performance. The Mojo 2, for instance, uses a rechargeable battery power supply, which can influence sound quality.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the quality and impact of the power supply in the Chord Mojo 2, noting that while its exact contribution to sound quality is unclear, its ability to run for up to eight hours independently is highly beneficial. This feature enhances its portability, especially when paired with a smartphone. The speaker highlights that the Mojo 2 surpasses many smartphones’ audio outputs and stands out in home Hi-Fi systems for its sound quality, suggesting it competes well with DACs priced up to a grand. Additionally, the Denafrips Ares 2 DAC is mentioned as an alternative, with a unique ladder implementation that offers a different, more incandescent-like audio quality compared to typical DACs.
00:12:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses comparing the Denafrips DAC with the Mojo 2 DAC. The Denafrips offers more substance and balanced outputs, which are useful for long-distance connections without noise issues—a feature the Mojo 2 and Topping lack. For a meaningful sound upgrade from Mojo 2, the speaker recommends the Hugo 2, especially when paired with the to-go streamer for flexible, high-quality headphone listening. The Hugo 2 is battery-powered, versatile, and offers slight improvements over the Mojo 2, making it suitable for both portable and high-end Hi-Fi setups. The speaker emphasizes that the choice depends on individual priorities and disposable income, urging viewers to share equally functional alternatives in the comments.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the prioritization of spending money on audio equipment, suggesting that individuals should have their loudspeakers, amplifiers, and room acoustics sorted out before investing in DACs like the Hugo 2. The speaker then introduces the Lyngdorf TDAI-3400, which is described as a super integrated amplifier with the capability to function as a standalone DAC. The Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 features room correction software called RoomPerfect, which optimizes sound by measuring the room’s acoustics and adjusting the DAC’s output accordingly. The speaker highlights that RoomPerfect’s impact on the sound is significant, more so than any other DAC mentioned in the video. The segment concludes with the introduction of the final DAC on the list, the expensive Mola Mola Tambaqui, which uses a bespoke DA conversion algorithm and provides only balanced XLR outputs.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses the Tambaki DAC, emphasizing its suitability for users with high-performing loudspeakers and amplifiers, as well as those who have invested in serious acoustic room treatment. The Tambaki is highlighted for its ease of setup, featuring balanced XLR and quarter-inch headphone sockets, making high-end sound easily accessible. The reviewer praises the Tambaki for delivering vibrant, colorful, and vivid music quality, significantly outperforming the Topping DAC. Additionally, the reviewer provides a list of their favorite six DACs from the past six years, inviting viewers to share their own top six in the comments. They also mention upcoming reviews, specifically the Eversolo DMP A6 streaming DAC, reflecting viewer demand. Finally, the reviewer asks viewers to like the video if they found it entertaining or informative.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their current approach to reviewing DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters). They mention that DACs do not significantly impact their setup compared to amplifiers, loudspeakers, and room acoustics. As a result, DACs are not a primary focus unless they are streaming DACs. The speaker also plans to create a detailed video explaining why certain DACs are not among their top six favorites for 2023, which will involve reviewing around 30 to 50 different DACs. This video will take considerable time to research and is expected to be released possibly next year or later. Additionally, the speaker invites viewers to support them on Patreon for updates, even if only for a small contribution.