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About the Xonar Essence One...




Hi JBen,
I was initially looking at the Muses but could find little info on those M1 opamps. If anything the Muses specs didn't seem all that remarkable and too much of what sounded like marketing hype.

As a result, i just went with the regular edition and upgraded to LM4562 opamps a couple weeks later instead of the 5532's. Bought the 4562's for about $30-40 locally here in Vancouver.

Anyhow, this DAC works well for my computer listening. Can easily power my power-hungry AKG Q701 phones. Senn HD800 sounds very tight and precise (the way I like 'em). Speakers are Audio Engine A2's and wish i had more room on the desk for A5's.

If you get the DAC, make sure to update to the newest firmware... Fixed some bugs. Working and sounding much better than the EMU 0404USB on this system previously. I wish my friend didn't sell off his Weiss DAC202 recently. I think a comparison of the ASUS' dual PCM1795 vs. Weiss' implementation of the ESS Sabre would have been interesting.

My feeling is that from a sound and build quality point of view, the E1 would cost a heck of a lot more if it came from some small boutique audio company without the manufacturing economy of scale.



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Archimago's Musings: A 'more objective' audiophile blog.


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  • About the Xonar Essence One... - Archimago 01/19/1323:02:02 01/19/13 (0)

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