[Lolito]

Any recommendations for a DAC to pair up with an A90 for a bit of a warmer sound?

Currently using a Topping D50S connected via RCA. I had my eye on the D90 or possibly the RME ADI 2 for later this year, but just wondering if there are better options available (or slated to be released later this year).

modi multibit, or bifrost. or audio GD, but for bifrost 2 money I would jump on the denafrips ares 2, though.

 

[Vercingetirex]

F#&K mqa

In some cases MQA sounds worse. So i agree completely. I wouldn't buy a DAC on the basis of if it can decode MQA

 

[LightBlue77]

In some cases some users lie.
No need to prove or argue this, just as your statement doesn't.

 

[Spareribs]

Gorgeous amp. I would possibly consider this amp sometime in the future. I really like the op amp sound.

 

[koursaros]

I received my A90 a couple of days ago and all had been great.
I noticed today though that in a specific volume spectrum, very low volume, the channels get imbalanced.
This is happening on both the balanced and unbalanced output, both on my headphones and IEMs rotated also just to make sure it's not my ears.
If a lower the volume more or a raise it more then the stage gets centered again, volume start to match, or at least it's not noticeable anymore.
Do you believe that this is a good cause to return it? Could it be that this is part of a bigger issue?
Besides my OCD this volume is too low to be usable either way for now, unless I get something that is sensitive enough to need it.

 

[Arniesb]

I received my A90 a couple of days ago and all had been great.
I noticed today though that in a specific volume spectrum, very low volume, the channels get imbalanced.
This is happening on both the balanced and unbalanced output, both on my headphones and IEMs rotated also just to make sure it's not my ears.
If a lower the volume more or a raise it more then the stage gets centered again, volume start to match, or at least it's not noticeable anymore.
Do you believe that this is a good cause to return it? Could it be that this is part of a bigger issue?
Besides my OCD this volume is too low to be usable either way for now, unless I get something that is sensitive enough to need it.

Lol, most of the wolume controls have that.
Except dact or ladder type ones.

 

[ostewart]

I received my A90 a couple of days ago and all had been great.
I noticed today though that in a specific volume spectrum, very low volume, the channels get imbalanced.
This is happening on both the balanced and unbalanced output, both on my headphones and IEMs rotated also just to make sure it's not my ears.
If a lower the volume more or a raise it more then the stage gets centered again, volume start to match, or at least it's not noticeable anymore.
Do you believe that this is a good cause to return it? Could it be that this is part of a bigger issue?
Besides my OCD this volume is too low to be usable either way for now, unless I get something that is sensitive enough to need it.

Pretty much any device with a regular analogue volume pot like this will have imbalance at low volumes.

You have to go with stepped attenuators to get rid of it, which usually adds a lot to the cost.

 

[koursaros]

Pretty much any device with a regular analogue volume pot like this will have imbalance at low volumes.

You have to go with stepped attenuators to get rid of it, which usually adds a lot to the cost.

Jumped to A90 from an SH-9 and before that I used to have an Atom and I had never experienced it in the past.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Sebbai]

Hey folks! I just got the A90 after reading some impressions here, I’m very happy with the life it gave to my Monolith m1060.

But I have a question about possible faulty unit?
Just got the Sennheiser HD560s which has 120 ohms resistance and sensitivity of 110db/v max power handling of 200mW.
I’m playing at max volume on high gain, which should damage my ears, right? But I can listen comfortably. Source from audio is a LG G7 ThinQ quad dac with 2Vrms output.

Should I contact the dealer? I just think it’s wired, beginning to think the m1060 sounded just as “lively” with my iBasso DX160. And the impression was just the new toy syndrome.

Could anyone else check if single ended output at high gain max volume is listenable on their Senn560s?

EDIT: Sorry for stupid question above, I’m new to this hobby. For others who try to push you headphones to the limit over max volume capabilities, don’t do it. Can damage voice coils. Reach max (enjoyable) volume on Sennheiser HD 560s at medium gain 2 o’clock.

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/tutorials/power-impedance-etc/

 

[koursaros]

Hey folks! I just got the A90 after reading some impressions here, I’m very happy with the life it gave to my Monolith m1060.

But I have a question about possible faulty unit?
Just got the Sennheiser HD560s which has 120 ohms resistance and sensitivity of 110db/v max power handling of 200mW.
I’m playing at max volume on high gain, which should damage my ears, right? But I can listen comfortably. Source from audio is a LG G7 ThinQ quad dac with 2Vrms output.

Should I contact the dealer? I just think it’s wired, beginning to think the m1060 sounded just as “lively” with my iBasso DX160. And the impression was just the new toy syndrome.

Could anyone else check if single ended output at high gain max volume is listenable on their Senn560s?

EDIT: Sorry for stupid question above, I’m new to this hobby. For others who try to push you headphones to the limit over max volume capabilities, don’t do it. Can damage voice coils. Reach max (enjoyable) volume on Sennheiser HD 560s at medium gain 2 o’clock.

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/tutorials/power-impedance-etc/

So I'm using the HD660s feeding it from the SU-9 at approximately 4Vrms and I cannot get higher than a quarter in the volume knob on low gain.
I would say check that any digital sound level is maxed out first since this sounds suspicious otherwise.

 

[Sebbai]

So I'm using the HD660s feeding it from the SU-9 at approximately 4Vrms and I cannot get higher than a quarter in the volume knob on low gain.
I would say check that any digital sound level is maxed out first since this sounds suspicious otherwise.

Thanks for the reply! Are you using balanced output?

Input balanced or not shouldn’t matter, according to the specs on their website.

Also tried ibasso single ended, which delivers 3.2Vrms. Both LG and Ibasso at max volume PO out high gain

 

[MatW]

I'm currently listening with the Sony MDR-Z1R, and the volume dial is at 9 o clock in low gain.. Balanced.

 

[koursaros]

Thanks for the reply! Are you using balanced output?

Input balanced or not shouldn’t matter, according to the specs on their website.

Also tried ibasso single ended, which delivers 3.2Vrms. Both LG and Ibasso at max volume PO out high gain

I was using single-ended for a while and then switched to balanced. With balance I had to lower the volume from the DAC to have some sound control actually.

 

[LightBlue77]

Be aware today my A90 fried itself and it is useless now. The smell of burned circuits... even now after one hour i sense it.
But this is not all, it also broke the headphones i was listening, fostex th909 at one moment suddenly started to hear some buzzes, clicks and snaps, now the left driver is dead, right driver sounds bad too. even the 4.4mm jack was smelling also.
So be warned. i had it with topping, too bad, i was enjoying it. Hopefully the dac is ok,didn't tested it yet but it was still up and no smell.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Yayay!! I feel for you Bro!