麻豆区
Customer Review
- Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2024It is interesting when you think about it what $40 purchases these days. Half a tank of gas, lunch for two or a box of connectable plastic bricks. Then on the other hand, when you think about the technology included in a DAC the PS100 represent an incredible value. While the ESS 9023 DAC chip is 24bit instead of the newer 32bit chips I suspect that for the majority 32bit performance is not utilized. For those who need 32bit there are a plethora of more expensive DACs available.
I really love the simplicity of this device which partially helps it come in at such a low price point, yet it still performs extremely well. For me a DAC is a set and forget device and for the PS100 you do just that; connect it to an amplifier and your digital source, plug it in, power it on and select your digital input. Done. While a USB adapter would be useful, these days adapters are readily available and DACs at three time the price don鈥檛 include one either.
My use for the PS100 is to add a second optical input to my older but still relevant AV receiver. It was simple to setup, worked correctly immediately and sounds great. It even has HDMI (ARC) if your TV is compatible. (I鈥檒l ignore the Bluetooth; not a big fan.)
Having other DACs on hand I was curious as to how it stacked up against a DAC that costs several times more; in this case the SMSL D0300. I set the PS100 up in my primary listening system and was very surprised on how well it stood up. Was there a difference? Yes, and I would hope so however the difference is subtle as in you have to listen for it noting that others who regularly review audio products would probably call the difference huge. There were definite improvements in detail, sustain, separation and precision, which I find make the listening experience more enjoyable, but in the absence of an AB comparisons were not necessarily missed when using the PS100.
For anyone who needs a basic DAC to add connectivity to or upgrade an older receiver or digital source the PS100 fits the bill.
It is interesting when you think about it what $40 purchases these days. Half a tank of gas, lunch for two or a box of connectable plastic bricks. Then on the other hand, when you think about the technology included in a DAC the PS100 represent an incredible value. While the ESS 9023 DAC chip is 24bit instead of the newer 32bit chips I suspect that for the majority 32bit performance is not utilized. For those who need 32bit there are a plethora of more expensive DACs available.
I really love the simplicity of this device which partially helps it come in at such a low price point, yet it still performs extremely well. For me a DAC is a set and forget device and for the PS100 you do just that; connect it to an amplifier and your digital source, plug it in, power it on and select your digital input. Done. While a USB adapter would be useful, these days adapters are readily available and DACs at three time the price don鈥檛 include one either.
My use for the PS100 is to add a second optical input to my older but still relevant AV receiver. It was simple to setup, worked correctly immediately and sounds great. It even has HDMI (ARC) if your TV is compatible. (I鈥檒l ignore the Bluetooth; not a big fan.)
Having other DACs on hand I was curious as to how it stacked up against a DAC that costs several times more; in this case the SMSL D0300. I set the PS100 up in my primary listening system and was very surprised on how well it stood up. Was there a difference? Yes, and I would hope so however the difference is subtle as in you have to listen for it noting that others who regularly review audio products would probably call the difference huge. There were definite improvements in detail, sustain, separation and precision, which I find make the listening experience more enjoyable, but in the absence of an AB comparisons were not necessarily missed when using the PS100.
For anyone who needs a basic DAC to add connectivity to or upgrade an older receiver or digital source the PS100 fits the bill.Images in this review
