List Price: $49.95
Sale Price: $24.78
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- Converts coaxial or optical digital audio input to analog stereo RCA output
- Supports all popular sample rates including 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz, at up to 24-bit resolution
- Ultra low jitter design with WM8805 digital receiver chip
- Switch selectable coaxial or optical input.
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If you need a solid DAC for converting an optical digital audio signal to RCA or RCA to optical, this is a nice unit at a good price.I did some research into DAC chips. This unit contains a very good DAC chip. Having said that, I ran the audio signal from different devices through my Sony HDTV (2010 basic model) via an HDMI cable. The Sony HDTV has a DAC in it too and RCA outs (analog out is increasingly rare on HDTVs). I was able to compare audio quality running the audio through the HDMI via the HDTV DAC to RCA and then to an amp AND from different devices directly with optical (Toslink) to this DAC, and then RCA to the amp. The speakers were Magnepan MMGs. All digital audio signals that had Dolby Digital were reduced to two channel stereo in various device settings or were that way to begin with. (If your device cannot change to two channel, all you hear is noise. Some HDTVs with only optical out might not be able to turn Dolby Digital off.
For Blueray/DVD, Pandora (via Roku XR optical out), iTunes music I bought directly from Amazon as MPEGS, and Netflix, I could not discern any difference from the FiiO D3 DAC compared to audio processed through my Sony HDTV (DAC in it unknown). I think this is in part less to do with the DAC but simply that these devices and recordings are not technically complex enough to push even a basic DAC like this. What you put in is what will come out, in this case. BTW: the Roku DAC is quite good too IMHO. Better than the Sony built in DAC. On the XR, it has RCA out on the back. I use that direct to the amp for all Roku audio.
However, when I played audio CDs (Jane Monheit, Never Never Land) I converted to Apple Lossless in iTunes sent over WiFi to an Apple TV 2 to this DAC to my amp, the audio was better. I could also hear the tape hiss on older digital conversions of classic jazz albums I own on CD (Oscar Peterson, Night Train). I would assume, in this case, hearing hiss is a good thing as it shows you that the DAC is capturing the full recording.
I also owned an MCM 24Bit/96K D/A converter which uses the Burr-Brown DAC. The MCM is supposed to be the best low cost DACs out there. But, frankly, unless you are an audiophile, save your money. This FiiO DAC is fine especially for the PRICE.
All testing was done with direct amplification. No equalization or base/treble modification.
Clarification: It was not ACC it was Apple Lossless I used! My mistake... Hopefully the audiophiles who freaked out will now calm down (except for the CD fanatics).
Buy FiiO D3 Digital to Analog Audio Converter - 192kHz/24bit Optical and Coaxial DAC Now
Hi. Just received this converter. Glad I found it before buying any other one. It has a superior look and finish compared to other similar products. On paper, 24bit/192KHz operation, snr >90dB at only $30, this is unbeatable specs/price ratio. I don't think there is any better product for that price over there.I have just checked all my sound sources with it (Media Center PC audio sources, Blu-Ray movies, etc, Cable Box) from a LG LED TV optical out to stereo wireless headphones, and everything runs ok. I know it does not decode Dolby so I had previously configured my digital sources to PCM, stereo or whatever option was available.
LG, as well as other TV manufacturers, for any obscure reason, they seem to have decided not to provide RCA stereo outputs anymore. Furthermore my TV has a minijack for headphones on rear panel that mutes the TV speakers as soon as you plug or leave something plugged into it. They must think they are so 'intelligent' those TV chip designers that they decide for me what do I have to hear and how. So now, many people including myself, is forced to search for a solution if their stupid decisions do not suit our needs, and I ended up looking for audio converters.
The device looks pretty well finished, exactly as you expect from the pictures or even better, very nice. I have not noticed any kind of background noise as other reviewers post for similar products, neither with nor whitout TV sound.
The only thing where you notice the typical 'Made in China' quality perception is by reading its poorly written tiny User Manual, but on the positive side, you can get some laughs with it as well.
It is too early to tell about reliability. Other similar devices seems to die after certain periods of use, as reviewers say. We'll see. I will update this review if I encounter any problem.This is an amazing DAC for the price. And for sure will suit 99.9% of the people out there.
However, the 192/24 mode seems broken. Whenever I switch to 192/24 the output becomes static and/or some ticking noise that just makes it hard to listen to.
All other formats play perfectly!
As I read around there are similar cases so be warned that this unit may not work with 192/24 even though they advertised it.
Want FiiO D3 Digital to Analog Audio Converter - 192kHz/24bit Optical and Coaxial DAC Discount?
Like many, i use an airport express to feed my 2 channel system, which uses the same cirrus 4344 chip as the d3. I doubted seriously the possibilty of audible differences between the two, so I took to the web searching for any direct comparison of sound quality between the two, and finding none. Curiosity, however, finally got the better of me and I purchased the D3, its incredibly low price helping to rationalize my actions. After inserting it into my setup, i could tell first track that the AE had met its match, and havent looked back since. To quote my wife "it just sounds better" and I agree, it does.
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