@squared80
"Luckily, almost nobody can hear a difference between DACs, so it doesn't really matter."
Good that you think so as you can make do with a $40 dongle. For those of us who can and do hear a difference, we need to spend a bit more to get good sound. Topping does not do it muvluv, and yes I have heard a number of them - the mid range sounds like a howling cat.
Chinese DAC's
I have been looking at several DAC's trying to decide which one to put in my system. Some of those DAC's I'm looking at are built and designed in China. Without getting political I don't think trade with China will ever be the same. I hope that these engineers are able to get there products to market. It would sure be a waste of talent.
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Manley is promoted as an "American as Apple pie" company with full construction of Manley amps in Chino, CA. So why's she bitching? Because she's been caught with her pants down and more than egg on her face. Best case scenario, Chino is an assembly plant with products being sourced worldwide but that's not what they advertise. Oh, she says she only uses American employees too. Caps and resistors should be sourced from Japan, US or Europe, not China. She should be making her own transformers not out-sourcing to China, and the beautiful powder coated casings, it's a mystery. As Warren Buffett said you don't know who's wearing a swimsuit until the tide goes out. |
My SMSL Sanskrit (still only $139) sounds good to me. Got a great write up in audio science review and is in their top performing dacs spec wise. The usb input did fail after a while and I got no help from the company. Still using the optical for cds. I really like the sound of this dac. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804674580993.html?spm=5261.ProductManageOnline.0.0.4ce14edfRzVGpv&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt |
@muvluv okay 😉 |
Rereading @brbrock’s OP, it does not sound to me like they are asking for our advise on DACs, rather it’s a lament on how the current trade situation is going to affect the audio industry and it’s increasing reliance on China as a supplier of parts and finished products, using his pending DAC purchase as a basis. Fair question. Short answer, dunno. For me, @panzrwagn nailed it. My advice, buy existing inventory now, or wait an indefinite period of time to see how this plays out. Across the board USD is currently down 9%. kn |
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