Fairly well designed unit featuring PCM1795 32 bit, 192 kHz D/A converter with DSD. It also has dsp output filtering which is seen on high end dsps like the ayre 9. The pcm1795 chip with 114db s/nr formerly "burr brown" now TI is a slightly lower grade pcm1792 which was top of line with 129db S/NR. Newer dacs seems to be going the way of built in DSP output filtering with S/NR of around 115db. For the price this unit is well reviewed and gives similar quality to $200 DACs but has the Denon quality behind it. I almost got one last week but when I called Adorama they said they only had 1 in stock and multiple orders and were going to have to cancel orders. They wouldn't even order me one as they said it is discontinued.
So do not be surprised if you can order but get canceled.
I then opted to get a Aune x1s with Sabre ESS9018ekm with a 130db S/nr dAc and DSD/ DSP filtering and a built in headphone amp of high tier quality. Around true 114db S/NR on output. I have not received yet so I can not comment on quality but the ESS9018 chip is used is in many High end thousand dollar DACS.
For a lower budget dac check out Fiio E07k or Q1 (around 104db true S/NR) with built in headphone amp and portability. ($70 ish) I have the E07k and it stereo phase imaging is excellent meaning mono is dead center sounding yet stereo images are placed like the engineer intended.
The Denon DAC is the same used on their $1000 cd player which is highly liked.
Unfortunately none of us get to try before we buy so we have to read hours of boring reviews and glean what we hope is a fair honest opinion from comparison.
Side note on DACs, most reviews are based on headphone combos versus using a true linear speaker setup in a controlled room like a studio. So opinions can be all over the place.
I personally never use headphones as a reference checker due to too many variables with ears and materials used and odd impedance etc.
Headphones are too personal.
Comments & Reviews (1)
So do not be surprised if you can order but get canceled.
I then opted to get a Aune x1s with Sabre ESS9018ekm with a 130db S/nr dAc and DSD/ DSP filtering and a built in headphone amp of high tier quality. Around true 114db S/NR on output. I have not received yet so I can not comment on quality but the ESS9018 chip is used is in many High end thousand dollar DACS.
For a lower budget dac check out Fiio E07k or Q1 (around 104db true S/NR) with built in headphone amp and portability. ($70 ish) I have the E07k and it stereo phase imaging is excellent meaning mono is dead center sounding yet stereo images are placed like the engineer intended.
The Denon DAC is the same used on their $1000 cd player which is highly liked.
Unfortunately none of us get to try before we buy so we have to read hours of boring reviews and glean what we hope is a fair honest opinion from comparison.
Side note on DACs, most reviews are based on headphone combos versus using a true linear speaker setup in a controlled room like a studio. So opinions can be all over the place.
I personally never use headphones as a reference checker due to too many variables with ears and materials used and odd impedance etc.
Headphones are too personal.
Thank you!