SqueezeBox Touch vs FiiO vs DacMagic 100 vs DacMagic vs UCA202

[Tenson]

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)

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

 

[RobHolt]

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?

 

[Tenson]

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.

 

[Mardler]

Very interesting, thanks.

Any correlation to sonics yet?

 

[Tenson]

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.