Devilsound DAC

Posted by: Skip on 11 March 2009

I am happy with my usual set-up but we have laptops full of music at my house and I was looking for an uptick to the usual mini to RCA. I read about the Devilsound DAC in Positive Feedback.

This unit came in today and I can not believe how good it makes the Nait 5i nSat system sound. It is a USA made, bus-powered, non-oversampling, USB DAC the size of a matchbox, with integrated USB and RCA cable, and violates all the dos and don'ts in the Naim universe. I am a little rusty with DACs, since I got rid of my BelCanto with the advent of the CDS2 several years ago.

But with my MacBook, it gives the CD5X a pretty fair contest at under $300. And it is a nice improvement in the high end resolution and bass, too. With a 60 day trial, I just could not resist. It is brand new and my impression may change with break-in. But so far so good.

Check it out.

skip
Posted on: 12 March 2009 by naken janne
I had a quick look at the web page and it seems to be an interesting product. My experience when comparing Naim (and Linn) products with other brands can be that they sound rather different and that might be impressive the first hour, but then after a while you still realise that you are happier with the Naim/Linn in the long term. So, if you have the time in a week or so, when the product is broken in and you have gotten used to it, it would be really nice if you want to right a shor follow up review.

Thanks in advance
Posted on: 12 March 2009 by Yetizone
It does look an interesting product and a very neat solution - replacing a conventional black box with a cable / tiny match box sized DAC as it were.

The only restriction I can see for Naim devotees who do not have a Nait 5 / 5i or 5i italic is that it seems to be RCA plugs only for the output cable?

I guess an adaptor cable could be used - but it would be another link in the chain?
Posted on: 12 March 2009 by Steeve
Yes I would be very interested in your review as well as it might be just want I need for my away-from-home contracting second system between laptop and old-style Linn Majik-I.

I saw a similar product "reviewed" in Hi-Fi News this month. It's called the HRT Music Streamer for $90 and is made by a company in Los Angeles. They also do an improved Music Streamer+ version for $249.00. The main difference between these and the Devilsound is that you have to supply your own leads as it is just a box about the size of a small chocolate bar with a USB socket at one end and phono sockets at the other.

Unfortunately the review, although positive, was very brief and not very informative. I discovered that Audiofreaks in Surrey are importing the Music Streamer+ into the UK so I gave them a ring. Maybe I am over-sensitive, but I found the guy from Audiofreaks rather abrasive and bordering on rudeness. However, to cut a long story short, they are not available on sale or return.

If anyone likewise has any experience of this product though, I would be interested in hearing it.

Steeve