SqueezeBox Touch vs FiiO vs DacMagic 100 vs DacMagic vs UCA202

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by Tenson, Oct 8, 2012.

  1. Tenson

    Tenson Moderator

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    Here are some comparisons with 1KHz tones and also 9KHz+10KHz tones for testing IMD.

    IMD is a test that shows what happens when you input more than a single tone such as would be the case with music. I think this test is very important as you can see how rapidly the mess of distortion grows.

    Unfortunately I can't find my IMD measurement for the DacMagic 100, I've only got 1KHz for that one. I do remember that it wasn't anything to be shocked by.

    SBT = Logitech Squeezebox Touch
    FiiO = FiiO D3
    UCA202 = Behringer UCA202 USB Audio Interface
    DM100 = Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100
    DM = Cambridge Audio DacMagic (this one)

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    So in order of performance I'd have to rank them like this:

    1) DacMagic (DacMagic Plus should be the same but with a volume control)
    2) Squeezebox Touch
    3) DacMagic 100
    4) Behringer UCA202
    5) FiiO D3
     
    Tenson, Oct 8, 2012
    #1
  2. Tenson

    RobHolt Moderator

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    The D3 IMD is interesting.
    Borderline acceptable/audible.

    The rest are all pretty safe buys.

    Can you hear anything adverse with the D3 or just it just sound a wee bit different?
     
    RobHolt, Oct 8, 2012
    #2
  3. Tenson

    Tenson Moderator

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    Actually I haven't listened to it yet! If I send my DEQ for review I'll need something then. I'll try an A/B before then.
     
    Tenson, Oct 9, 2012
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  4. Tenson

    Mardler

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    Very interesting, thanks.

    Any correlation to sonics yet?
     
    Mardler, Dec 17, 2012
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  5. Tenson

    Tenson Moderator

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    You have to bare in mind the low level of these distortions. Even the worst case distortion Fiio D3 is around -75dB compared to the main signal. This is like having the distortion playing at the lowest possible volume setting on your hi-fi, while the music is playing at the very highest setting - you are really not going to hear the distortion at all easily in the presence of the main signal.
     
    Tenson, Dec 17, 2012
    #5
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