Gigaport HD+ vs Cheap NOS DAC from CHINA!(results sat 19th Dec)

[Lego]

Which do you prefer?

Track 1


A

https://www.dropbox.com/s/66uyth9rki2dt ... 9.mp4?dl=0

B


https://www.dropbox.com/s/tzr97iw7sdldm ... 7.mp4?dl=0

Track 2


X

https://www.dropbox.com/s/swrapsejn8e7l ... 2.mp4?dl=0

Y

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ibsefofb7i2l7 ... 2.mp4?dl=0

[Spannko]

I enjoyed A & Y, and didn’t like B & X. Lovely light display as well, it really set the mood!

[tokenbrit]

Listened a few times - enough to confuse myself - but ended up with B&Y, myself... agreed on the lights tho' :)

[springwood64]

I preferred A to B: I found the vocal style came across really well in A, but it sounded a bit affected in B. There's a 'flick' of guitar at about 8s that seems distracting in B but fitting in A.

I preferred X to Y: Y sounds a bit brighter and I wasn't drawn into the track, but X was enjoyable and kept me listening. In Y I could hear the different instruments a little more easily but they work a little less as a whole compared to X.

I liked both tracks. What are they?

[beck]

I prefer A and Y. Love your videos and the lighting!

.........and Merry Christmas to you too Leo. :-)

[Lego]

Last 2

C

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mwdhker1fbxd9 ... 5.mp4?dl=0

D

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1ql9ftz7j6us ... 0.mp4?dl=0

[Lego]

I prefer A and Y. Love your videos and the lighting!

.........and Merry Christmas to you too Leo. :-)

A very merry Xmas to you also Beck , easier than sending cards :0) and all the best in the new year

[Lego]

I preferred A to B: I found the vocal style came across really well in A, but it sounded a bit affected in B. There's a 'flick' of guitar at about 8s that seems distracting in B but fitting in A.

I preferred X to Y: Y sounds a bit brighter and I wasn't drawn into the track, but X was enjoyable and kept me listening. In Y I could hear the different instruments a little more easily but they work a little less as a whole compared to X.

I liked both tracks. What are they?

Hi Peter it's Gil Scott-Heron and Pops Staples.Glad you liked it and merry Xmas

[Lego]

Listened a few times - enough to confuse myself - but ended up with B&Y, myself... agreed on the lights tho' :)

It is difficult when we have to put tune dem to the test.Merry Xmas Tokenbrit

[Lego]

I enjoyed A & Y, and didn’t like B & X. Lovely light display as well, it really set the mood!

Many thanks Spannko and merry Xmas !

[tokenbrit]

Listened a few times - enough to confuse myself - but ended up with B&Y, myself... agreed on the lights tho' :)

It is difficult when we have to put tune dem to the test.Merry Xmas Tokenbrit

Sometimes it's easy, other times not so much :/ But we don't learn unless we test ourselves, so it's always worthwhile ;)

Thanks Lego. And to you: wishing you a merry Xmas, happy holidays, and a musical New Year :)

[springwood64]

Last 2

C

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mwdhker1fbxd9 ... 5.mp4?dl=0

D

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1ql9ftz7j6us ... 0.mp4?dl=0

I find it very difficult to hear a worthwhile difference. They are both good. Yet another great track.

Merry Xmas!

[beck]

I prefer C. (I hope I am picking the cheap one). :-)

[OscarH]

C I think.

I get the impression that the bass is a bit boomy on D, though I’m not sure that’s a characteristic which can be accurately assessed via a clip.

[tokenbrit]

C for me too.

Out of interest, is the HD+ NOS too, or is this oversampling vs. non, as well as China-cheap vs. Gigaport?

[Spannko]

OK, I’m going to gamble everything for glory now 🤣

I’m saying A, Y, C & D are the same and B & X are the same. I know there’s a big chance I’m wrong, but I found C & D to sound very similar with the same sort of sound and musicality as A & Y, whereas B & X sound quite different. 🤞

[beck]

Well, it will not be the first time I have been lured into the C,D trap if it is such.

The thing is that we listen for differences when presented with options that should be different. C and D does sound very similar.

[Lego]

OK, I’m going to gamble everything for glory now 🤣

I’m saying A, Y, C & D are the same and B & X are the same. I know there’s a big chance I’m wrong, but I found C & D to sound very similar with the same sort of sound and musicality as A & Y, whereas B & X sound quite different. 🤞

Jeez Spannko,still trying to decipher that 😁

[Lego]

Anyway, Spannko is mostly right .

HD+(Supra Cable)

A Y C

Generic DAC

B X D

The reason I post clips is I cant come to a conclusion.

It's not tune dem but when I replaced the HD with the NOS I found myself struggling to turn the music off,a bit like being on Facebook,I'm there longer than I planned.

On blind listening, the NOS feels slower so I find it easier to follow the melody and always seem to hum along.
When I put the HD back it sounds very tuneful and more impressive with good rhythm and interplay ,but I keep wanting to try the Nos again. On one particular album, the NOS recreated that feeling I had when I first listened to the album, not by way of similar sound but similar emotion, a bit like being on the first few dates(distortion attraction ?) :0)

This is why I never like having 2 similar items at home

[Lego]

C for me too.

Out of interest, is the HD+ NOS too, or is this oversampling vs. non, as well as China-cheap vs. Gigaport?

I'm not sure how the DACS work Tokenbrit

[beck]

What interest me the most is the C versus D comparison. I find both interesting and enjoyable.

I can actually hear what you are talking about Leo. It is as if C is slightly too tight (if that makes any sense) and D just a little slow as you say (broadening everything out a little bit).

A middleground between the two could be just perfect...............

[Lego]

What interest me the most is the C versus D comparison. I find both interesting and enjoyable.

I can actually hear what you are talking about Leo. It is as if C is slightly too tight (if that makes any sense) and D just a little slow as you say (broadening everything out a little bit).

A middleground between the two could be just perfect...............

Exactly Beck though C isn't too tight,C is fine I just can't stop thinking about D 😄... I'll do another clip with similar usb cables this time.

[ThomasOK]

I tried listening to C & D yesterday and was having a hard time - it was the end of a busy day. I tried again just now and they are both good but I find D moves me more.

[tokenbrit]

... I'll do another clip with similar usb cables this time.

I meant to ask what usb cable(s) you're using... My HD+ is connected with the cable that came with it rather than the recommended Supra as I was put off by reports of quality issues with (more than?) a few of them.

[Spannko]

I tried listening to C & D yesterday and was having a hard time - it was the end of a busy day. I tried again just now and they are both good but I find D moves me more.

Yes, it’s interesting that on this particular track C&D are so close, when on the first two tracks there is an appreciable difference. I don’t understand it tbh.