PureAudio Lotus DAC5 Review
Work In Progress Review:
Background:
There isn't much info on this DAC out there yet, but i expect that to change pretty quickly.
Here is a foreign language thread i was able to track down:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-TW&u=http://bbs.audiohall.net/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D11656&prev=search
There does appear to be a bug with the half fix setting... When you mute and then unmute, the volume comes back on to whatever the variable volume was last set at rather than 87... the workaround it to set the variable volume to 87, then switch the unit to half fix.
There is a slight click between DSD tracks.
The unit came with the following opamps installed:
Background:
There isn't much info on this DAC out there yet, but i expect that to change pretty quickly.
Here is a foreign language thread i was able to track down:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-TW&u=http://bbs.audiohall.net/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D11656&prev=search
When researching this DAC, I wasn't all that impressed by this unit containing a single ES9038PRO as opposed to some other units that use one for each channel, nor was i impressed by the claimed SNR of > 110db (which represents approximately 18.3 bits of resolution - 110/6), even the ifi micro idsd black claims a SNR > 117db (19.5 bits of resolution - 117/6)... But the fact that the opamps appear to be inserted into sockets for easy rolling is quite interesting, it appears this unit was designed from the ground up for the "tweak" enthusiast.
As a benchmark, i typically look for claimed SNR >= 114db (19 bits), and prefer to see claimed SNR >= 126db (21 bits)... Of course this is mostly a vanity metric since there is no way i can actually hear the difference, and at the end of the day, SINAD (signal to noise and distortion) is a better representation of "real world" quality anyway.
It's worth noting that the SNR as tested (See link in measurements section) was -114db (19 bits) averaged across 10-100khz... And across the audible range 20hz-20khz it approaches 130db (over 21 bits)... This makes it quite competitive with other DACs in its price range.
I particularly like that the Lotus DAC5 has MQA support. But its important to know that it only supports MQA on the USB input, so if you plan to play MQA CD's from your transport, you are going to get sub 16/44.1 quality playback... This is a common limitation of many MQA compatible DAC's that handle MQA decoding using an XMOS XU216 USB chip.
A little info from Chijen at PureAudio:
"We have cooperated with ESS for more than 15 years, the THD/SN data of the chip is measured with the setting that is most beneficial to them. For example, ESS uses 32-bit data measurements, other manufacturers such as AKM use 24-bit data, more 8-bit data will make the THD/SN data better. I don't think you need to care about the data because there is practically no 32-bit music, and the results of the 32-bit data test have little meaning. We have another brand Nuprime, I am in charge the design of the DAC and player such as DAC-9/DAC-10 CDP-9/CDT-8 Pro.I don't think you need to worry about the quality and sound of DAC5."
Features:
Specifications:
DIGITAL
ANALOG
GENERAL
Test System(s):
Office System:
Unboxing:
The unit came well boxed from the manufacturer. Nothing fancy, a single box, with typical foam end-caps for the device. The box contained a remote control, and a power cord. No printed manual or other cables (such as usb or rca) were included. I would have appreciated a printed manual (see voltage switch issue below), and for it to have come double boxed... But its not a big deal.
The user manual can be found here: http://www.pureaudiolab.com/assets/files/Lotus%20DAC5%20User%20Manual.pdf
And the manufacturers website here: http://www.pureaudiolab.com/
If you are in North America... Don't forget to switch the voltage from 230 to 115, the switch is on the bottom of the unit. If you miss it (like i did), it will be pretty obvious - the display will work but it will be really dim, and the usb connection won't be recognized by your computer.
Putting the batteries in the remote requires a phillips screw driver and the removal of four screws. The remote itself is substantial, milled from a block of aluminum - but the parts inside are pretty run of the mill, the battery holder for example is typical parts bin stuff. The buttons are kind of cool, ball bearings.
As a benchmark, i typically look for claimed SNR >= 114db (19 bits), and prefer to see claimed SNR >= 126db (21 bits)... Of course this is mostly a vanity metric since there is no way i can actually hear the difference, and at the end of the day, SINAD (signal to noise and distortion) is a better representation of "real world" quality anyway.
It's worth noting that the SNR as tested (See link in measurements section) was -114db (19 bits) averaged across 10-100khz... And across the audible range 20hz-20khz it approaches 130db (over 21 bits)... This makes it quite competitive with other DACs in its price range.
I particularly like that the Lotus DAC5 has MQA support. But its important to know that it only supports MQA on the USB input, so if you plan to play MQA CD's from your transport, you are going to get sub 16/44.1 quality playback... This is a common limitation of many MQA compatible DAC's that handle MQA decoding using an XMOS XU216 USB chip.
A little info from Chijen at PureAudio:
"We have cooperated with ESS for more than 15 years, the THD/SN data of the chip is measured with the setting that is most beneficial to them. For example, ESS uses 32-bit data measurements, other manufacturers such as AKM use 24-bit data, more 8-bit data will make the THD/SN data better. I don't think you need to care about the data because there is practically no 32-bit music, and the results of the 32-bit data test have little meaning. We have another brand Nuprime, I am in charge the design of the DAC and player such as DAC-9/DAC-10 CDP-9/CDT-8 Pro.I don't think you need to worry about the quality and sound of DAC5."
Features:
- PureAudio PSRC IC chip provides sample rate up/down converted processing. Adjust the range from PCM 44.1KHz to DSD512.
- ESS Newest Generation: The world’s highest performance 32-bit Stereo DAC (ES9038PRO). State-of-the-art DAC with warmer sonic characteristics.
- Seven digital filters.
- Output Level variable or fixed mode
- Analog output phase change.
- Analog output channel setting.
- Display brightness adjustment.
- Support the decoding of DSD DoP formats via SPDIF inputs .
- Full microprocessor control with memory retention.
- Seven digital inputs for complete system flexibility.
- USB Asynchronous transfer mode.
- USB Supports DSD native playback by ASIO and DoP method.
- USB Supports MQA decode.
- Individually adjustable volume on each input for precise level matching of sources.
- Exclusive driver software for Windows.
- Available in black or silver anodized aluminum finish.
DIGITAL
- USB : USB Type B 2.0 Hi-Speed, data stream up to 384KHz/24Bit and DSD 256 and MQA.
- IIS/DSD : Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ PCM 768KHz/32Bit and DSD 512 data streams.
- COAXIAL : Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 768KHz/32Bit and DSD DOP 64, 128 and 256.
- OPTICAL : Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 192KHz/32Bit and DSD DOP 64.
- AES/EBU : Supports PCM 44.1KHz ~ 192KHz/32Bit and DSD DOP 64.
ANALOG
- Frequency response : 20 Hz - 20 KHz / ±0.3 dB.
- SNR : > 110 dB.
- THD+N : < 0.0003%.
- Output Impedance : < 50 Ohm.
- 2 XLR balanced outputs : FIX mode 8Vrms, HALF FIX mode 4Vrms.
- 2 RCA unbalanced outputs : FIX mode 4Vrms, HALF FIX mode 2Vrms.
GENERAL
- USB Audio Firmware : upgradable via USB DFU tool.
- Power Supply : AC voltage selector switch at the bottom of the unit, 115V or 230V.
- Dimensions [W x H x D] : 430 mm x 55 mm x 315 mm.
- Weight : 5.2Kg
- Power consumption : 13.5W (0.9W Standby)
Test System(s):
Office System:
- Mac Pro
- Audirvana Plus
- Tidal Masters
- Masdrop Cavali CTH with Gold Lion E88CC/6922 Tube
- Audioquest Nightowl Carbon
- MrSpeakers Aeon Flow Closed
- ifi micro idsd black label
- audioquest dragonfly red
Home System 1:
Home System 2:
The unit came well boxed from the manufacturer. Nothing fancy, a single box, with typical foam end-caps for the device. The box contained a remote control, and a power cord. No printed manual or other cables (such as usb or rca) were included. I would have appreciated a printed manual (see voltage switch issue below), and for it to have come double boxed... But its not a big deal.
The user manual can be found here: http://www.pureaudiolab.com/assets/files/Lotus%20DAC5%20User%20Manual.pdf
And the manufacturers website here: http://www.pureaudiolab.com/
If you are in North America... Don't forget to switch the voltage from 230 to 115, the switch is on the bottom of the unit. If you miss it (like i did), it will be pretty obvious - the display will work but it will be really dim, and the usb connection won't be recognized by your computer.
Putting the batteries in the remote requires a phillips screw driver and the removal of four screws. The remote itself is substantial, milled from a block of aluminum - but the parts inside are pretty run of the mill, the battery holder for example is typical parts bin stuff. The buttons are kind of cool, ball bearings.
After that things were straight forward. This unit has a great selection of inputs and outputs. Digital inputs include 2 coax, 2 optical, 1 aes/ebu, and 1 i2s via hdmi cable. outputs include a nice pair of RCA connectors, and a pair of balanced outs.
The RCA connectors for the coax inputs and analog outputs were loose straight out of the box. I hand tightened them before use.
The RCA connectors for the coax inputs and analog outputs were loose straight out of the box. I hand tightened them before use.
The casework is nice, but its not without its issues. The top cover sticks up a bit in the front corners, and the lettering on the front panel is somewhat inconsistent in its color saturation.
Operation:
Operation:
The manual is pretty useless (other than to know where the voltage switch is - its on the bottom), but the menus are fairly self explanatory. One oddity is that Audirvana does not recognize this DAC as being able to play DSD at any resolution from my Mac.
To support DSD through audirvana+ you must go into settings -> audio system, and change native DSD capability from automatic detection to DSD over PCM standard 1.1
The volume control seems to work reasonably well, but for the purpose of this review i am running it at the "half fix" setting, which is equivalent to 87 on the variable volume control.
There does appear to be a bug with the half fix setting... When you mute and then unmute, the volume comes back on to whatever the variable volume was last set at rather than 87... the workaround it to set the variable volume to 87, then switch the unit to half fix.
The display does a good job of displaying the format and sample rate. Jumping from PCM 44.1K to MQA like it was designed from the ground up to do it :)
There is a slight click between DSD tracks.
When playing MQA files the DAC forces the filter to minimum phase slow, so for initial testing i'm going to just leave the filter there for everything... I really don't hear a lot of difference between filters anyway - i might have a slight preference for minimum phase fast - but i don't know that i could pick it in a blind test.
There "was" an XMOS bug which caused the DAC to "disappear" from time to time, requiring the user to either reset the USB bridge or momentarily unplug the USB cable. Fortunately this bug has now been fixed with a firmware update.
Measurements:
Here are some i found online - i have not run my own measurements yet:
OpAmp Rolling:
The unit came with the following opamps installed:
- 4 pcs AD797 for I/V converter
- 2 pcs AD797 for differential to single ended
- 3 pcs OPA2134 for RCA/XLR output buffer
AD797 are generally considered pretty good, somewhat tricky to implement, and expensive (over $10 each)... My experience is that the i/v converter usually has the biggest impact on sound quality.
If you are curious what an i/v converter does:
For this review im not going to play around with opamps, but for the initiated, the discrete units from Burson are pretty interesting.
Sound:
I'm really terrible at the whole audiophile flowery language thing, but i will say this... This DAC does an awful lot right for its price point.
It's a fairly neutral sounding DAC, perhaps analytical is the right word. It extracts gobs of detail without sounding particularly dry. It pairs remarkably well with solid state sounding tube gear, or tube sounding solid state gear - if that makes any sense.
In the time i have had it, it has found a permanent home paired with a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp, and Bryston amp... And i couldn't be happier.
The closest things i can think of for sound comparison is the Matrix Element X, which, at about $3500 retail is roughly twice the street price of the Lotus DAC5. Though, to be fair the Element X has a streamer and headphone amp built in.
The Chord Qutest has a similar street price to the Lotus DAC5, and in my opinion wins on soundstage breadth and depth. But the Lotus DAC5 wins on detail and functionality.
Another solid comparison is the Benchmark DAC3 B, which is a remarkable piece of gear. I will say that i sold my DAC1 HDR and replaced it with the Lotus DAC5, and that i think the DAC3 sounds an awful lot like the DAC1... And i also appreciate the ability to fully unfold MQA recordings from Tidal.
Any way you look at it, the Lotus DAC5 is in some really good company.
Summary:
If you are looking for a MQA capable, well built, neutral and accurate DAC... The PureAudio Lotus DAC5 is hard to beat for the money.
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