So built and set up and while listening my ears were very shocked to find how good it was and so good I am taking time to tell you here.
This is more for people who know a little about computers and electronics. But anyone could do this and I really hope someone tries to do so.
DAC of some sort I got this pHAT DAC for £12
Raspberry Pie 2, 3 or Zero £20-£30
SD Card and cables. £10-£30 (I recommend decent cables say £20 or so)
VS
Essence STX II 7.1
Both through a Yamaha AS500 and Eltax Millenium Monitors. Both have similar quality cables.
Now their are many places on the net that shows you how to make this up. So I will not go into it as my review is of the sound in comparison to a Essence STX II 7.1. Above is the price comparison to the Essence STX II 7.1 I got for £200 about five years ago.
I now have many albums in HD format and listening through them I honestly can't tell a difference between the to set up. Some albums like Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town just sound so good on both and I think I edge a little to the DAC (Cheapest set up)
Next up is Iron Maiden with the Book of Souls. Classic Maiden this is a great test of how a new album sounds and again it sounds rich and full on the DAC. Sound card again is very similar. The drums and general whole rhythm section sounds fantastic. When the album goes intot he prog style it is known for both sound again great. Direct and no hint of noise at all in both. It really is amazing to hear. The soundcard and DAC are plugged into my Yamaha A-S400 with the input right next to each other. I even start tracks exactly the same time to click between them. And all results are stunning.
Next up is Countdown to Extinction. I again start the two tracks at the same time and have a very click comparison to the first track that has a very big blast beat drum intro and again it is 10/10.
Just a little bit more definition in the symbols than the sound card. But I mean so so little most people will never tell. Again listening on the sound is flawless.
I try some of the new Ramones HD stuff as well, I notice when I got these how amazing Joey sounded and again I am not disappointed. I find I have to tweak the sound card a little to match the levels but no big problem. The sound card seems to like older music more and it seems to keep a little hint of that classic feel. Could just be my ears used to the old school sound but this is for me a plus.
Aretha Franklin - Spirit in the dark is last up and again both are 10/10. Aretha could sound amazing through a tin can on a string but it is nice to hear this so direct and fresh. The harmonies come out so well here and have room to move about.
Well there you go a quick review and my winner is the DAC. I will be listening to this all week and I am sure other albums will come out on the sound card side but fuck me £12 DAC sounding this amazing is just stunning.
What is great about the DAC set up is the controll for it is via a mobile phone. This lets you see on your USB Drive/HDD and chose the music. The search is also very good and fast.
Reviewer is: 29xthefun
