2. digital
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Borderpatrol Dac SE

I've been seeing this DAC mentioned a lot everywhere lately, hearing that it performs way above its price class, etc.

I took the leap and bought one.  Mind you I've only broken it in for 48 hours but I'm at this point I'm not sure it will ever open up.

So far it has really soft and closed in treble with no air or decay.  Mids are okay, bass is a little soft without great definition or extension.  Imaging is ok but feels a little confused.

To be honest it's getting smoked by my current Fostex HP-A8.  The Fostex is the design antithesis of what's gaining traction:  a delta sigma AKM chip.

Owners:  does this thing ever open up, or has the Sopra unmasked another pretender?  If this is "analog" sound, I think I'll pass the next time I hear that descriptor.

System:  

roon
Sotm Sms-200
Perla Audio Sig 50
Focal Sopra 2
emcdade

Showing 1 response by cagma7

cagma7
25 posts
 

BP Se-i here.

A few comments : 

1) 100 to 150 hours (break-in) is a must (it is horrible out the box)

2) A good power cable is very important (mostly to address the bass issue)

3) Ditto for a good usb cable

 

The BP doesn’t sound impressive at first glance like other dacs, it simply sounds right / natural and I realized that ‘sounding right’ is probably more important than the last bit of resolution (at least for me). If you want to listen to your system, it is probably not the best Dac but if you want to listen music…

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