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Hi Folks, Eben from Grace here. I just wanted to chime in on the analog input question. Not including an analog input was certainly not an oversight - all possible features were put on the table and discussed at length. Ultimately the decision to forgo analog input was based primarily on the notion that the vast majority of m9XX users would be playing back via USB, with a smaller subset possibly using toslink from dedicated playback devices like the FiiO etc...
One thing to understand about Grace Design is that we aim really high with our designs, which is why till now our headphone amp / DACs have all been in the $2k range. The real work for us with the m9XX was to land this in this price range without having to sell our soul and make something we didn't really believe in. This is to say, we had to make some hard decisions, mostly about features such as analog in, that would end up making the m9XX more expensive. Its not as simple as just tacking on an analog input somewhere on the rear panel. There would be many more components, a different kind of volume control, greater power budget constraints, and on an on, to the point that this drop would probably be $699 or higher.
With total bias, but also deep understanding of how we design and build our equipment, the m9XX affords playback quality which approaches our $2k amp / DACs. The big job was pairing down the feature set to what is essential, while maintaining the performance on which we have built our reputation.
Hope this helps!
fuzzybaffy
28
Nov 1, 2015
egrace"With total bias, but also deep understanding of how we design and build our equipment, the m9XX affords playback quality which approaches our $2k amp / DACs."
Reading that makes me feel good about potentially purchasing this. Hopefully this can be communicted more through the marketing because it seems a lot of people are kind of confused and unsure about this product. Then again, maybe it will be communicated more through word-of-mouth by the people who purchase this in the first round.
Uzuzu
1431
Nov 1, 2015
egraceI like the DAC but this unit still needed a higher power output
DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 1, 2015
UzuzuSomeone over at the headfi forums asked about the Audeze Deckard. It's more expensive, but can function as a DAC/amplifier as well. The amplifier is about 4 times more powerful than the m9xx at 4W 20Ohms. That might fit you better. The DAC is a bit of a let down, no DSD. But if I recall, you don't care about DSD support or high bitrate files (Audeze is PCM 32/384 capable) so I think this will be the better choice. 700 bucks though. So different price range.
DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 1, 2015
UzuzuAlso, the Audeze can function as a amplifier. Has both RCA input and output.
AlexVallejo
87
Nov 1, 2015
DeathbyMusicThe m9xx is 1W per channel at 20 ohms, so total output power is 2W. Audeze doesn't say whether power is per channel or total output power, but I'm going to assume it's total. In this case, the Deckard is only 2X more power which correlates to 3dB more SPL.
DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 1, 2015
AlexVallejoMaybe. 4x more power seems rather ridiculous considering how potent the m9xx's amplifier looks (to me anyway). But then I only have a GO1000 at 1W/16ohms. I mere put up the Audeze as someone else mentioned it and there has been a complaint or two regarding the amplifier's specs here on the m9xx.
avitron142
134
Nov 1, 2015
UzuzuLet me know when you find a 1200 ohm headphone. It handled the 470 ohm ATH-R70X and 600 ohm Beyer T1 with ease.
Uzuzu
1431
Nov 2, 2015
DeathbyMusicThe deckard certainly seems like a really nice dac/amp especially for my own listening tastes, but I feel the pricetag is partly paid for the design by bmw. And yes I don't care about DSD and anyone who does has stopped appreciating sound itself and is in it only for the specs. You can't hear over PCM.
Uzuzu
1431
Nov 2, 2015
avitron142t1 isn't picky
DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 2, 2015
UzuzuPossible. But can't deny that the Deckard looks pretty nice. Honestly, I'm outta ideas. Maybe the best course would be to buy yourself a stack since that's way more flexible. Maybe Schiit Asgard 2 and Bitfrost? Would only cost 150 more and has around twice the power of the m9xx at 600 ohms.
DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 2, 2015
UzuzuHonestly, the reason why I'm looking at this is for the bitrate support, company reputation and the promise of great performance (m920 as benchmark). I already stretched my budget from the O2/ODAC drop so this is as far as I am willing to go. Since you're not into the connectivity options on the m9xx, and don't really find the bitrate support to be of much use, and find the amplifier lacking, I don't think this dac/amp is for you. If you don't actually need a DAC, then maybe it would be better to spend 400 on a nice dedicated amplifier? If you aren't hampered by budget (you didn't say that you're dismissing the Deckard based on price, but rather, design) then there are definitely many more options available to you.
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