Sabaj D5 110V Hi-Res Audio Digital to Analog Converter Balance HiFi Headphones Amplifier DAC Chip ES9038PRO ES9311 32bit/768kHz DSD512 w Preamplifier Remote Control

Prior to buying this DAC, I was leery about going with such an unknown brand/source. I still use an Emotiva X2 daily, have no complaints about the sound, but wanted something even better for a new rig with better speakers and amplification. While measurements don't necessarily reflect listening pleasure, the testing done at audiosciencereview.com undeniably shows this particular model to out-perform (in terms of noise floor and distortion) my X2, and most other DACs I was considering as an upgrade. Seeing this seal of approval, backed by credible test bench results, got me off the fence. After enjoying this for a couple weeks, I'm simply blown away by the sound. I've tried the optical input (Sony TV as a source, via suggested LONG toslink cable) at 16-bit/96khz with great results, and at 44.1-192khz PCM at 16 and 24bit, and DSD64 via USB, which was simply fantastic. I've yet to try the headphone output, so I can't comment on that yet. (I'll revise when I do.) The OLED display is small, they chose a tiny font for everything save the XX volume level display, which goes away shortly after adjustment. I can read the volume setting from ~16ft away, but must approach to see anything else. I'm able to dim the display to the point where I can still read volume from afar, but don't notice it otherwise, even placed directly under the center of the TV. As tiny and lame as it is, I appreciate that the included remote is *exactly* the same remote I got with an SMSL DAC/AMP, and it's used for most of their remote-controlled products... This means that if I damage or lose it, I can get another for <$10 all day long. It also means that due to the popularity of SMSL brand stuff, someone has already solved the problem of sleuthing out remote codes for Harmony, etc. The unit is heavy, solid, and the jacks are great quality. I don't detect any appreciable warmth after heavy use. I detect ZERO background hum/hiss/noise from 88db/watt speakers, even with volume on DAC at 40=max, 275W amps run wide-open. I did hear a significant reduction in background noise, and improvement in detail, when switching from stated 95db SNR class-D amps to much nicer 110db SNR class-D amps for the "tops" of my speakers, which adds credibility to this amp's stated specs, and those measured by audiosciencereview. It's definitely the "purest" part of my system now, allows me to appreciate subtle differences in recordings, and small changes to the rest of the system. I simply love it, and think it is an outstanding value. Be sure to download and install the XMOS drivers from Sabaj before trying to play DSD content. (No drivers were needed for PCM playback via windows.)

I purchased this DAC out of sheer curiosity in the ESS 9038 Pro DAC chip it incorporates. I level matched the D5 to my RME ADI-2 DAC and I could discern no difference between the two when feed to the same headphone amp. Yes, the D5 sounded just the same as the more than twice as expensive, German made, RME ADI-2 DAC. That was using the balanced line outputs of both DACs into a Gustard H10. Some may quibble that the Gustard is not a good candidate for this kind of comparison. I don't think I'd agree with that as I was looking for a baseline to compare the two outside of their own built in headphone amps. When comparing them out of their built-in headphone outputs I believe that I could make out some subtle differences. The RME may have displayed a bit more clarity and transparency while the Sabaj was a slightly more warm and smooth especially out of the balance output. Again, these differences were quite miniscule. The ADI RME-2 has far more output power through it’s single ended output than the Sabaj D5 does. Way more. In any event, both amps provide plenty of power for most headphones under 80 ohms impedance. The D5 provided a significantly higher output through it's balanced headphone jack, as opposed to it's single ended output, but it is still not a match for the ADI RME-2’s output in terms of RAW drive power. Now the down side is that after about three days with the D5 in the middle of a listening session the music just quit playing and the DAC became unresponsive. While trying to diagnose the issue I noticed that the Sabaj was very warm to the touch on the left side of the unit around the built-in linear power supply. Then the smell of burning electronics. The unit just shutdown never to wake again. Ultimately I decided to return the unit for a refund as my RME sounds just as good and it has a significantly more powerful amp and tons of EQ and sound customization features anyway. The Sabaj was no better in any significant way. Hopefully my unit was just a rare lemon. I'd not want to dissuade anyone from purchasing the D5 especially if there is a no hassle return policy as with Amazon. It sounds great and costs much less than a DAC like the RME. Just make sure you put a significant number of operational hours on the unit before the return period ends. BTW... the headphones I used in comparison of the DACs were Hifiman Sundara, Sennheiser HD600, Oppo PM2, Audeze EL-8 Open among others.

Have been using the D5 for a few months now and am very pleased. The unit is very solid and sturdily built. Great versatility with multiple digital inputs (coaxial, usb, optical, and even the obscure I2S) and both RCA and XLR balanced outputs. Sound is marvelous. Indeed, Audio Science Review measures its sound-to-noise & distortion ratio as among the very best of close to 200 units tested, easily outperforming DACs that are many times more expensive. Value for price here is excellent. You not only get the top-of-the-line ESS 9038Pro DAC chip, but also the headphone amp with both Single End and Balanced outputs. It's a great value even if you only intend to use it for the DAC --> speakers, or if you intend to use it as a headphone amp as well. I use it in both ways. Streaming Hi-Res Qobuz from a Bluesound Node 2i with coaxial connection to the Sabaj D5 with analog RCA output to Yamaha amp and Polk speakers -- sound is noticeably richer and more detailed when using the D5's DAC than using the Node 2i's. Also using the D5 with low impedance Audeze LCD-X headphones -- the amp has plenty of power to drive these; volume max is "40" and I usually never go above "25" with the headphones -- plenty loud enough even for large-scale orchestral music. Only complaints are the functional but not really adequate LCD display which features what looks like 1 pt. font that can barely be read without a magnifying glass. The volume control / selector button is a bit flimsy and plastic-y feeling in contrast with the rest of the unit which is solid as a rock and fairly heavy. I also wish the analog outputs were fixed rather than variable. But overall, these are small defects in what is overall an excellent product with a price that will be hard to beat.

prodotto testato con apli Musical Fidelity M6si 500, diffusori AR9 e lettore Marantz, ho apprezzato di più con cavo rca rispetto a xlr, il suono arriva più aperto e dettagliato, basso controllato e medio alti migliorati, per il chip che monta non aspettatevi un suono caldo, ma le aspettative finali sono buone. Ho dovuto restituirlo perché il telecomando non funzionava, ciao.

Perfect sound sounds warm and magical! Perfectly paired with my DT 990 600ohm HIFI cans feels like I can hear the music throughout my whole body! Worth every penny!!

Der Sabaj D5 erfüllt alle meine Erwartungen. Ich nutze den Sabaj D5 zur Ansteuerung meiner Elac Navis ARB-51 Aktivboxen über symmetrische Kabel. An den Sabaj habe ich einen Raspi-4 (Volumio) über USB angeschlossen sowie einen CD-Player (Arcam CD-82) über ein coaxiales Datenkabel. Klassische Musik wird hervorragend wiedergegeben, auch über Kopfhörer (Fostex TH610, asymmetrisch).

Lo asocie a node 2i y no aporta nada en calidad de sonido.

Wonderful headphone DAC amp. Have used it for about a month. Far surpassed the sound quality of a dual ECM ES3890 DAC from Topping of about the same price which I returned. I use the balanced XLR headphone output and it is outstanding. As source I have used a Samsung S21 Ultra but my LG V60 produces slightly better results using the equalizer in both phones flat. Drives the Sennheiser 660S with power to spare. The bass is powerful and the female vocals are spectacularly smooth and sweet. The SABAJ implements the ES 3890 Pro perfectly, I cannot imagine how it could be better. The menus are intelligently designed and intuitive, and a pleasure to use. To get the same results with another brand I suspect you would have to spend several hundred dollars more. Based on this experience I would not hesitate recommending this product or buying other products of this brand. Thanks SABAJ.