Both DACs played as loud as I could stand, the differences were in the precision of the sound. With my Audio Technica headphones bass definition was drastically improved with the D1. Carter Burwell's score for the 'Fur' soundtrack is loaded with bells and other percussion instruments and the Hifiman blunted the sound. A D1, hooked up to a computer and speakersĬomparing the D1 with the Hifiman HM-101 USB DAC ($39) it was immediately clear that the D1 was more transparent.

The beats on Beyonce's '4' album fully exercised the D1's talents her massive pipes are best enjoyed with the volume turned way up loud. Plugging in the headphones automatically mutes the speaker outputs. I ran the D1 first with a pair of Audioengine A5+ speakers (review in the works) and a variety of headphones, including my Sennheiser HD 580, Hifiman HE-300, Audio Technica ATH M50 full-size headphones, and Ultimate Ears Reference Monitor in-ear headphones. You can also hook up Apple TV or any audio component with an optical digital output to the D1. With those you can hook up the D1 to speakers with built-in amplifiers, like the Audioengine A2 or new A5+, or any other powered speaker. Build quality feels solid, and I love the looks of the understated design.īut wait, there's more, the D1 also has a pair of audiophile grade RCA outputs on its rear panel. The D1 is a little thing, just 3.5x4x1 inches and weighs about a pound. Both inputs handle up to 24-bit resolution. The DAC supports up to 192kHz sample rates via the optical digital input, and 96kHz with USB. It's a USB powered device, so there are no batteries or power supplies just hook up a USB cable to a computer, plug in your headphones and you're good to go.

I was smitten with the new Audioengine D1 USB DAC/headphone amp ($169) as soon as I plugged it in. The A2 and P4 are still in the line, and are still stellar. No, they invest a lot of time into designing great products, and then let them be. But Audioengine isn't the sort of company that reinvents its line every year or two. For me it all started with their petite A2 speakers ($199/pair), and then I gushed over their P4 speakers ($249/pair). Audioengine is one of my favorite brands.

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