This is my First Review so go easy on me. Drivers for Mac OS X 10.11 is good.
OK Here we go, I have this device for about one month, it is growing on me and really like to inform other Head-Fi of this underrated device. If you have other music players you are SOL on taking advantage of the native DSD playback function. For example if you have Audirvana or iTunes you can only play back in PCM mode and that is not the strength of this device. Don't get me wrong the sound is still good maybe be even great thanks to the balanced output if you have XLR components. Audiogate is not great comparing to Audrivana or even iTunes. IMHO KORG should work with Audrivana or buy the team out to improve their OS X software side.
So many caveats why am I still using this... Well playing music with DSD or using the DSD up-sampling is FANTASTIC probably similar to Sony's DSEE on their HAP Hi-Res product line. The music is so good I can't go back to listening PCM music, I guess I am sold on PDM (Pulse Density Modulation basically DSD) with proper setup. The sound is so obvious, you don't even have to try hard to listen for the difference, the sound is very detail and smooth. Took me four weeks of on and off switching players to realize it, well because I did not want to use Audiogate. So now I use iTunes to manage my collection and Audiogate for FLAC and DSF that iTunes don't handle. Since this device got its bag of minor issues preventing a wider adoption, this device can be had for a very low price 200-300 if you look around.
Quote from Korg's website: "Why does the AudioGate system sound better?
The AudioGate software uses the power of the computer to perform the calculations necessary for D/A conversion, as opposed to slower external hardware. This allows for ideal processing, retaining the audio’s original quality.
With a decade’s experience developing DSD recorder products, KORG’s DSD signal processing and DSD/PCM bidirectional conversion technology yields painstakingly accurate audio reproduction without any degradation.
By developing both the application and the USB-DAC, KORG is able to ensure comprehensive audio quality, even on up-converted file formats. - See more at: http://www.korg.com/us/products/audio/ds_dac_100/page_1.php#sthash.0BP6umcO.dpuf"
*The two pictures show the cpu hit, it looks small b/c I have an eight core system but with a dual core laptop the hit is significant like 80% for up sampling to DSD, but playing real DSD Billie Jean no hit on cpu.
PCM and DSD Cirrus Logic CS4398 120db, from what I read it is very good chip.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/708601/cirrus-logic-flagship-dac-evaluation-cs4398
So my setup for
Music: Mac Pro -> KORG DS-DAC100 -> Sony TA-A1ES -> IMAGE 550 floor standing speakers (basically Klipsch looking to upgrade maybe ELAC Uni-Fi when that comes out)
Normal computer sound: Mac Pro -> Sound Blaster X7 Limited -> EMU XM7
In closing if you fit into this situation of wanting great music playing in the office or listening room and you have a 4-core computer, this device will ROCK YOU! And save your $ on buying a network player.
Cheers,
Aixer
KORG DS-DAC100
http://www.korg.com/us/products/audio/ds_dac_100/page_1.php
