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GUTB
238
Sep 26, 2016
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So, yes, I was mistaken, this an AK4490 not a Sabre. It's still a mass production DAC chip, although the 4490 has more features since it's newer. A fully balanced 4490 with native DSD pass-through in this form factor and price would be very compelling -- but a single-ended device with digital volume control seems like a bad value at $500.
Looking at the internals, it's just a tightly packed group of ICs, no real output capacitors, and no transformer (uses a power brick). Can't make out the clock chip. Even though it seems like a better effort than the usual Chinese shovelware junk, I would still be highly suspect of the sound quality this produces. Maybe I'm just biased though?
Sep 26, 2016
AlexVallejo
87
Sep 27, 2016
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Sep 27, 2016
Gamsaregood
3
Sep 27, 2016
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GUTBOhh gutb we have missed you on r/headphones
Sep 27, 2016
DJ15
12
Sep 27, 2016
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AlexVallejoAlex, this seems like a nice read. Is there a similar paper on the m920? I'd very much appreciate it.
Sep 27, 2016
GUTB
238
Sep 27, 2016
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GamsaregoodI would come back if the mods would like to un-ban me. That reddit is in serious need to of real knowledge.
Sep 27, 2016
Michael_Grace
432
Grace Design
Oct 12, 2016
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GUTBHi GUTG, I would like to address some of your observations: The AK4490 is a state of the art DA converter design. And yes, is it mass produced. If there are sound quality problems with "mass produced" DAC ICs I am not aware of what they might be. What I do know is that the AK4490 sounds really good. In fact, I would say it does not have a sound. Instead what you will hear when listening to the m9XX is the combined effects of power supply, clock, and analog signal path design. In the 15 years that we have been manufacturing DA converter products the AK4490 is the most consistent performer of any DAC we have used from any manufacturer. Part of what you get with the price tag of the m9XX is 100% testing and inspection. Every single performance parameter is tested on our Audio Precision 2722 instrument and then the unit is sent to a complete listening test as well. (in our factory in Lyons, Colorado) The AK4490 is remarkably trouble free...
The m9XX supports DoP but not native DSD. However, these are simply data transport formats. There is no difference in the data presented to the DAC. My guess is that if you have some experience with one format sounding different than the other there is some sort of problem in the driver code or programming in whatever device you were using.
I would suggest that value is a combination of quality, performance *and* features. You obviously can get plenty of features for very little money these days. But quality is harder to come by. It comes from years of experience in equipment design and manufacturing, careful execution from start to finish, and comprehensive testing and checking of every aspect of a product before it goes out the door. Quality is a difficult property assess from looking at a product. However, I think after *using* the m9XX its quality is quite apparent. I would also add that the Manufacturers warranty is a good indication of quality. Nobody knows better than the the manufacturer how well something is designed and built. The m9XX comes with a 5 year transferable warranty.
The internals of the m9XX are tightly packed. I like to keep critical signal paths as short as possible. Stray capacitance and inductance can degrade digital clocks as well as analog audio. Careful pcb layout is fundamental to good audio performance, and we spend much time in the design phase getting it right. Without understanding the circuit at the schematic level, and being able to analyze signal routing, power supply distribution, and grounding by looking at the pcb design CAD files one can not assess the performance of a product by simply looking and the circuit board. Incidentally, you were not able to see any output capacitors because there are none. The outputs of the m9XX are direct coupled and under DC servo control. However, there is a transformer on the circuit board. It is a very carefully designed high speed transformer that is part of a synchronous, balanced push-pull DC-DC converter. Unlike a stacked iron AC power transformer, there is no magnetic radiation at power line frequencies in this design. Lastly, I would discourage anyone from making sound quality judgements based on a visual inspection. Best regards, Michael
Oct 12, 2016
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