Chapter 5: I-devices DAC: ADL X1, Centrance M8, Venture Craft
Furutech ADL X1
The market is now crowded with DACs for I-devices, a market first started by CypherLabs. The first one I auditioned is the new i-Device DAC/Amp from ADL Furutech called the X1. It comes with a 24/192 DAC that you can hook up to a computer via USB in addition to serving as an i-Device DAC. Wrapped in a first class typical Japanese build quality, the X1 is the smallest unit around compared to the offerings from Fostex, Centrance, VentureCraft, and Sony.
Sound quality of the X1 is good, going toward the similar direction as the Fostex and Venture Craft devices. They all tend to go after the “clarity” factor, with the downside being quite thin in the bass, not really my style of music listening. The X1 is smoother in sound and less bright than the Venture Craft devices and is definitely my choice over the VCs. Overall, among this “clarity-first” camp, I still feel that the Fostex HP-P1 reigns king with its significantly superior soundstage depth and a very smooth and refined sound character of Fostex’s line up of DAC/Amp.
I really wanted to bring one ADL X1 home but they didn’t have any for sale in the festival. Price is supposed to be around 40,000 Yen.
Centrance M8
Next is the Centrance M8 which will be available in three different output choices: 2×3 pin XLRs (combo Jack with TRS built in), 4 pin XLR, and finally a plain vanilla 1/4″ TRS.
The M8 had a well balanced sound that’s relatively flat from top to bottom. The sound was moderately darker than the Japanese i-Dacs though not as warm and as full bodied as the Cypher Labs Solo. Tonality is darker than all of the current Centrance devices including the Dacport CX and LX, as well as the Dacmini CX and PX. However it’s also quite grainy just like I find the Dacpot CX to be. The sound was pretty good but I wasn’t really wowed by it especially after listening to the ADL X1. Sound quality is definitely not as smooth and clean as the ADL X1 and the Fostex HP-P1, and I thought that the CypherLabs devices are warmer and more musical sounding. Just for the record the Headfonia Store is a dealer for Fostex and Centrance, but we don’t sell CypherLabs, ADL, and Venture Craft.
Venture Craft GoDap DD, SoundDroid
VentureCraft is the most impressive of the bunch in terms of product design and build. Although the M8 and the ADL X1 are all extremely well built (they all easily rival Fostex HP-P1’s build and are significantly better than Cyper Labs’), I still think that the addition of a bracket that fits an Iphone perfectly puts the VC devices one step ahead the competitor in terms of design. Please check out the photos I took as it’s easier to explain what the bracket does.
In terms of sound quality, I wasn’t too thrilled with VentureCraft. From the first encounter with the GoDap 4.0, I’ve yet to come across one VC device that I can really recommend. The latest batch of the Venture Craft iDACs continue to produce sound quality that’s hardly inspiring to my ears, even the one with the special op-amp. Though the DAC-only version is significantly more spacious and less congested than the DAC-amp version, overall I still find the sound to be bright and harsh, dry and lacking mid and bass body.
Continue to the next page: Audiophile DAPs…
Dave Ulrich
That looked like fun! How did the cMoys sound?
John123John
give the continental a run for their money? haha
Dave Ulrich
I would guess not, but I would love to hear it regardless!
Mike
Well they were roughly Cmoy level in terms of technicalities. A little warmer and darker than the JDSLabs Cmoy but the mids were less clear.
Lam Tran
334 V-shape ??? is there anything wrong ??
Mike
What do you expect?
I used to be the sole distributor for FitEars and even now we have a lot of used FitEars being traded in on the Headfonia Store.
It’s extremely nice but it’s not the full mids tonality. The 335DW is the one to go for if you want a full mids.
Lam Tran
No, I mean this it weird , i’m both 334 and fitear parterre owner but I don’t find the 334 is V-Shape …. i even feel the 334 is a bit polite in treble region , I find the parterre have a lot of point better than 334 especially in separating instrument, same as 334 have it own advantages ( smoother and fuller mid )
Andru
I had listened to 081xxx batch and it’s definitely easy to noticed the v shape signature when compared to 082xxx batch.But i like the v shape 081xxx batch since it had more lively sound compared to 082xxx.
Mike
So now we have different sound from different batches? I’ve across so many 334s but never really find a difference, maybe I’m not listening well enough.
The other day they were saying that Translucent T1+2 all sounded different
Andru
The differents are on the cables,since both batch are sounded just same when swapped with ALO sxc cable.Not really a serious issues i think…
Mike
Alright thank you. That’s relieving to hear.
Mike
Wow I thought the Parterre is not yet out.
Lam Tran
yes, but I bought it through hp fes , there are 10 limited unit for sale on that day.
Mike
Phew, I suppose the 10 units were already out when I asked.
Mike
The 334ToGo to me has always sounded mildly v-shaped. I definitely won’t say it has a full mids.
Burju
That Tube Cmoy is a beaut….whoa
Mike
Indeed!
BigC
“This is going to be a hot IEM and I can imagine seeing a lot of used UE900s being dumped in the market.”
Interesting comment considering the new Shure IEM costs over twice the price of the UE900. Do you really think the demand will be that strong considering the massive price differential?
Mike
Okay maybe I’m not so good at speculation. Yes you have a good point regarding the price difference. The huge price difference. Gosh what a major thing to overlook.
Thing is the trend that I’m seeing is that people more and more won’t settle for anything than the best, and with customs all these time the biggest obstacle is that people don’t seem to want to go through the hassle of the process (at least for international customers) and possible needs for further re-fits. With the Shure they won’t have to deal with that hassle and they can still have this excellent sound.
Andru
Mike,how’s the build quality of SE846 plastic housings?
Mike
Just like the other Shure models, but they specifically mentioned that it was only a prototype and that the final product may be different.
l3A7VA7VA
Any other further Hifi-m8 impressions?
What headphones did you use for your testing at the show?( for the different products you demoed).
-Your own?
-Or the ones at the tables (I presume they had).
thank you.
Mike
Headphones I think I used their T1 Beyerdynamic. Sorry for the limited impression on the M8. Ended up chatting to Michael for a little too long.
Currawong (Amos)
Mike, it’s a shame I didn’t know you were coming to the show as it would have been good to meet you. Next time I hope.
Mike
I tried to get in touch with you but I can’t find your email! And Sean happened to be sick that week so I didn’t meet him either.
Maybe in fall…
John Seaber
Awesome Cmoys!
Mike
You gotta make some John!
SwimSonny
Just thinking with damping and the TERAs high OI it probably was not the best DAP to demo the 846 with and maybe that’s why the really deep subbass was not quite there. Over than that, awesome show report and males me wish I was there even more!
Mike
Yes, sorry probably not the best. It just happened to be my main DAP.
iamsocheap
sound (and technical level) wise, how would you compare the hm901 with your tera player?
Mike
I think the HM-901, technically is not at the level of the 801 and the Tera. As I’ve said it’s a more mainstream oriented sound, full and punchier bass. Something that can’t be said about the 801 and the Tera.
Hekowee
Sure do like the poster. The HD-800’s are my primary cans. Any ideas on how to get an image, or copy?
Mike
Well if you’re in Jakarta I can give you a copy (A4)
Hekowee
Well, round trip airfare to Jakarta would cost about as much as the HD-800’s. Hmmmmm, I’m going to have to think about this one. Thanks for the offer, and even more, thanks for all the great reviews.
Hekowee
Found an excellent photo of the poster on Facebook, copied to iPhoto, small edit and printed on photo paper…..voila, have the poster. Plan to have it framed, and hung in my listening room, mostly thanks to you. Here’s the link…. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=474278635978201&set=a.291278164278250.68194.109645602441508&type=3&theater
L.
Can I post that on Facebook please?
Hekowee
Sure, no problem.
L.
thanks!
Mike
Thank you
Darryn Harly Septalingga
which do you prefer between AK120 and Teclast T51? since they share the same configuration of their DAC (Dual Wolfson WM8740)… and for DAP choice, between Fiio X3 and Teclast T51, which should i choose? mostly i listen to japanese song and also progressive metal or nu metal like Dream Theater, Slipknot, or System of a Down… btw nice report, and thx before 😀
Mike
The configuration is same but sound is very different. I think the ak120 should have enough speed for your music but I haven’t really tried it specifically with thqt
Fabio_Rocks
The Shure Se846 is so nice! They also have implemented a system that allows to tune the treble +-2,5 db. Mike do you think it will be better than FitEars 335?
ohm image
Mike, next time you are in Tokyo for a show, I’d love to meet up. We go to the same shows and I’m told by mates that you are there, but… finding anybody there is quite the chore.
Great round up.
Mike
Thanks I will send you an email. 🙂
Kenny Chew
I did not read any bias, so Mike your initial impression of Shure SE846 was very truthful. I agreed to that 846 pricing indeed too high. Any price of $750 and below will be more appropriate. (under cut your mentioning price by another $50, haha..)
Mike
Thanks, Kenny. I have a feeling market price is going to be around $1k maybe a bit lower
Eric Thompson
Hmm so is the 846 still really really laid back and sort of lacking in the highs like the 215’s and 535’s? I didn’t mind it with the 215’s but in the $500 535’s I was sort of disappointed.
Coll. IEm
I don’t know why you still think 801 better than 901
but I have both 901 sound better in every way even with mp3 .