CEntrance DACport Slim - Massdrop Exclusive Discussions | Drop

Aug 11, 2016

I'm actually curious about the noise floor on the Slim. I had the DACport HD once, and my issue was that the noise floor for IEMs was a bit high. It was audible on the ER4PT and ATH-IM02, for example. Is the DACport Slim any better in that regard?

Aug 11, 2016

Vote

jefe32

149

Aug 11, 2016

wondroushippoFrom reading earlier posts (about a page 122), it would seem Centrance recommends higher impedance headphones with these. They also recommend their DAC portable (349$ on their site) for a lower noise floor with sensitive IEMs.

Aug 11, 2016

Aug 11, 2016

jefe32Thanks! I'd blame the lack of a comment searching feature, apparently I should have just looked back a page or two :D

Aug 11, 2016

Vote

Aug 11, 2016

jefe32We don't single out higher impedance headphones specifically. We recommend using Slim with hard-to-drive headphones. Slim will take any impedance, but it really shines when you need to push some serious power into your cans.

Aug 11, 2016

Aug 12, 2016

wondroushippoAs per the various posts above, not for me (and others) with my Sonorous VI and SE530. My original DacPort (classic!?) is silent, this is not. YMMV

Aug 12, 2016

Vote

Aug 12, 2016

PoisonPoisonTastyfishIt's funny that the difference in noise is only 3dB but it makes such a big impact....

Aug 12, 2016

Aug 12, 2016

CEntranceIndeed it is! I don't want others in this thread to think I am a Slim hater either. As noted, I love the sound, the form factor and the overall quality of the Slim and the fact it has a real volume control is a big plus over the Dragonfly IMO. It really just seems that it doesn't have the synergy with my devices that I would like.
Sad, as I want it in my life, but small as it is, the hiss is a deal-breaker for me!

Aug 12, 2016

U-3C

Aug 12, 2016

CEntranceI guess it really depends on whether or not the person is sensitive to hiss. It is so low, I really don't care. I just confirm that it exists. However, since people with the most concern are the ones who are buying, it's natural to look more into potential issues than certain features. As you have mentioned before, some people couldn't care less for high resolution audio while some swear by it, so it is a feature that may or may not have an impact on people. A high noise floor, however, is one of the main reasons to go for an external dac over onboard audio, so mentions of the noise floor will certainly alert many people.
I'll just say it again: the noise is very low. I can't hear it when music is playing at all on my sensitive iems. However it is there, so if you are sensitive to hiss and use products like the Shure SE 8SE 846, be aware.

Aug 12, 2016

U-3C

Aug 12, 2016

wondroushippoHahaha, true. I've spent months digging into the hundred pages in this discussion section and it seems that almost all my questions were answered somewhere. I almost feel bad for CEntrance as they have to keep coming up with creative ways to answer the same question again and again so it doesn't look like a copy-paste job.

Aug 12, 2016

ridhuankim

669

Aug 12, 2016

PoisonPoisonTastyfishOne of my IEM with FIIO E11 having hiss, I used Ohm adapter to workaround it. I am curious if you have tried that work around and if you did would you recommend or go against it? (Because to my experience it does change the sound and sometimes soundstage). What Ohm was tried?

Aug 12, 2016

Vote

SomeTechNoob

466

Aug 12, 2016

ridhuankimI picked up a cheap in-line volume control and yeah I can lower it until the hiss disappears, but it did change the sound a bit for the worse. Also, according to CEntrance it increases the output impedance, which definitely isn't ideal.
For most cans, I find low gain plenty powerful. I don't even have to turn the knob over 90 degrees. If CEntrance made the low gain switch even lower, I think that would be ideal. You'd get rid of an audible noise floor but still have enough power to power most cans that don't need much amping. Flip to high gain if you want to use the power of that class a amp.

Aug 12, 2016

ridhuankim

669

Aug 13, 2016

SomeTechNoobIt certainly sounds doable from Centrance. The low gain, if lowered a tad bit, should eliminate the hiss is most sensitive IEMs. Low gain is certanly powerful enough. High gain is absolutely powerful enough to drive my 600 ohm cans to slightly painful loud level. Centrance, maybe this is something to consider? Would it be possible via firmware update?

Aug 13, 2016

Aug 13, 2016

SomeTechNoobYes, thanks for the suggestion. That's pretty much what we did with out new, battery-powered product, DACportable.

Aug 13, 2016

Vote

Aug 13, 2016

ridhuankimNo, this has to be a hardware mod. If enough people are interested, we can offer it as an aftermarket mod.

Aug 13, 2016

audioman123

Aug 13, 2016

CEntranceA mod? would it be possible to explain how such a thing would be possible?

Aug 13, 2016

Vote

ridhuankim

669

Aug 13, 2016

CEntranceIn the future when this offer is possible, an option during check out would be awesome. And a separate DIY kit for skilled people.

Aug 13, 2016

Vote

Aug 13, 2016

audioman123It's possible all right. We've been doing various mods on our DACmini and HiFi-M8 for years. Is it affordable, is another question. All our mods run $99 plus shipping. Both of those higher class DACs were at some point $799, so a $99 mod is reasonable. We perform all mods in our lab in Chicago and use skilled techs. We don't offer kits because that voids the warranty.
So we need to honestly know if people who paid $99 for a small DAC / Amp at Massdrop love it enough so that they are prepared to send it in for modding... If you do, send it in and PayPal the $99 fee -- it's that easy.

Aug 13, 2016

Aug 13, 2016

ridhuankimWe ship large orders to Massdrop ahead of time, so it's not possible to know in advance.

Aug 13, 2016

Aug 13, 2016

CEntranceDefinitely interested! :)

Aug 13, 2016

Vote

Aug 13, 2016

CEntranceHmm - maybe not interested at that price though... Does the HD have exactly the same gain/noisefloor?

Aug 13, 2016

Vote

elnero

Aug 15, 2016

CEntranceWhat about in the future? It seems like there's enough people bothered by noise floor to warrant modifying the design for future drops. I know myself I would have joined the drop if I hadn't read about the issue prior.

Aug 15, 2016

octavecat

392

Aug 15, 2016

CEntranceI'm interested, possibly. In the massdrop spirit, what would be the minimum # of mods to get the price down to, say, $79? Or since this is bench labor, is that just not going to be worth it?

Aug 15, 2016

Vote

Aug 15, 2016

octavecatWe'd need at least 100 people to make that happen. We have sold several thousands of Slims, so those people are out there...

Aug 15, 2016

Papieur

Nov 12, 2017

wondroushippoIf you still use your ATH-IM02, what do you use to drive it now? I recently picked it up and have been looking for a DAC/AMP that is able to drive it well, y'know, with as little hiss as possible (I'm sensitive to that kind of stuff), because I realized the output impedance on my smartphone will distort the sound.

Nov 12, 2017

Vote

Nov 14, 2017

PapieurYep, still using these. My portable setup is constantly in flux, but if you like Sabre sound, the iBasso D14 is what I use on the go, sometimes with the Fiio A5 amp. The Sabaj Da2 aka SMSL IDOL should run it without issue, I use the Sabaj Da3 and it is the BEST thing I've ever heard under $100. It technically works with mobile devices but draws a lot of power. The Fiio Q1 and Fiio X5-III have a bit of hiss, but in practical situations, they're hard to hear. Like, I didn't know the Q1 hissed until I used it at home at one point. In my usual usage at like Starbucks, I couldn't tell there was any noise.

Nov 14, 2017

Papieur

Nov 14, 2017

wondroushippoThank you so much for the response! It was very helpful. I'm still trying to get into the audiophile community, only started showing interest a year-and-a-half ago, so I'm trying to learn a lot about IEMs, and know absolute nothing when it comes to DACs and AMPs. This gave me a lot more options to consider, so I really appreciate it. Thank you!

Nov 14, 2017

Papieur

Dec 1, 2017

wondroushippoSo I just received my IM02s and I just want to say that upon initial reflection, they are definitely at a different level than the IM70s. However, I am beginning to see (or hear) the sound distortion caused by the high sensitivity of the drivers (I just ordered my Q1 and I'll be receiving them next week). However, I cannot live without music and I am too happy with this investment. I am concerned, however, that if I continue to drive the IM02s with just my smartphone, the output will damage the IEMs..? Is that possible? Should I just hold out until I receive my new DAC/AMP?
P.S. I am technically without any earphones because the cable on my IM70s recently gave out as well, so I have to wait for the replacement cables and unfortunately don't have any other earphones on hand.

Dec 1, 2017

Vote

SomeTechNoob

466

Dec 1, 2017

PapieurYour smartphone won't damage the IEMs.

Dec 1, 2017