Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
While pure subjective folks can always claim that something sounds better than another (no limits to creative, flowery prose - whether they actually hear a difference or not is a matter of faith), I think objective folks need to come from the direction that at some point it doesn't really matter any more. Yeah, I think from an objective perspective while we can keep pushing the fidelity, the most important question is whether any one of us can actually hear it!
Over the last few years, we have seen an impressive proliferation of high resolution DACs at very reasonable price points coming from audio companies in China. In the world of consumer electronics, this should surprise nobody given that much of our technological products hail from that part of the world. Everything from Apple phones, to computer motherboards, to high-tech multinationals like AMD and Intel having manufacturing and assembly lines there. As for controls, the A10d can be controlled with the front volume knob/button without the need for a remote, however, the included remote makes it much easier to control the device and navigate between the available menus. By pressing on the volume knob, you can navigate between available options and turn the knob to set the desired value, and press once more to apply. It is easy and straightforward. You know, all this is way more important for me than a super SINAD measurement, as long as one can't hear diffrences below a threshold of noise and distorsion. It's been awhile and I've been upgrading further. I bought a Topping A90 Discrete and use the A20d as a DAC/pre-amp. Funny enough the Topping A90d has a USB-C input for Firmware upgrade, which does not work USB-C to USB-C either. Shenzen hasn't gotten USB-C to USB-C to work properly and as intended in general apparently. As long as USB-C to USB-C doesn't work I would have much preferred USB-A or B on the DAC side as PC/MAC usually have USB-C these days (USB-C seems to be the future)The A20d's IR receiver actually receives IR signals. I was using a Harmony Companion Remote with Hub with the D90SE. I use IR blasters (more than and different from the two that come with it) and commands (from the remote or from start/end sequences) would frequently get missed. That was with the IR extender right over the IR receiver on the D90SE. With the A20d in the same place the D90SE was, and with the IR extender well away from the A20d's receiver (if it was this far from the D90SE's receiver all commands would be missed), I have yet to experience a missed command. The A20D 2022 is much lighter than the X16 as well. I also quite like the design and choice of silver, along with the handles on the front of the case. So was the problem with my Mac? Or as for you the problem was only present on certain frequencies ?
Discover the ultimate audio experience with the Sabaj A20d 2023 High Res USB Audio DAC & Headphone AMP. This groundbreaking product combines state-of-the-art technology, unrivaled performance, and versatile features to redefine your audio journey. Key Features: AK 4499 EX Chip Audio DAC with Headphone AMP With the 2023 Sabaj A20d High Res USB Audio DAC & Headphone AMP, prepare to embark on a sonic adventure like never before. Immerse yourself in the true essence of audio excellence and indulge in a world of unparalleled sound quality. MQA is available...The 16-core XMOS will fully decode an MQA signal. We can see the standard impulse responses used in "rendering" to a higher resolution like 192kHz. Since I'm basically "throwing the book" of measurements at this device, we can see that certain characteristics are the result of the ESS DAC chip itself. For example the "hump" (THD and IMD) between -45 to -25dBFS or so, and the sinusoidal pattern of odd harmonic distortions when examined in very close detail with 0.1dB steps using a low-noise notch filter. These drop outs do not happen when using the headphone output and only when using the A20d as a pre amp.
MQA Decoding
If I didn't already have a Lokius and Monoprice 887, I could very much get away with listening via the built in amp on high gain. I went to about 70 out of 99 max on the volume knob with the built in HPA and didn't hit any intolerable distortion. I missed my EQ too much to use this full time though. I think that's the next step in a DAC/AMP like this, built in hardware or software EQ/DSP. That would make this an absolute monster IMO.
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