amazon Audioengine D1 reviews
Although compact, but with the ability to reproduce high-definition sound and superior sound quality over investment, the Audioengine D1 can satisfy demanding audiences.
USB-based digital audio (USB DAC) decoders are becoming more and more popular with many names and price ranges to meet the demand from low to high. Audioengine also produces a number of USB DAC models at attractive prices and sound quality promising to satisfy.
Audioengine D1 is one of the first USB DACs to be introduced at the end of 2011 in the US market. Similar to some other USB DAC models on the market, the Audioengine D1 also has a small (90x75x26mm) appearance and is light weight (about 170g).
This compact USB DAC supports “processing” digital audio signals up to a maximum bit depth of 24 bits and sample rate up to 192 kHz. To put it simply, this means that D1 can “reproduce” all the frequencies that human ear can hear. In addition to the high-quality 24-bit AKM AK4396 DAC audio codec, the Audioengine D1 also features a high-end headphone amp, which allows the receiver to connect the device to headphones for enjoy a music space for their own.
Audioengine D1 supports 2 digital audio inputs, USB and Optical. Users can connect D1 with USB power sources or other devices such as DVD / Bluray players, Apple TVs. However, if you want to enjoy the audio from the equipment equipped with optical fiber as above, users must be equipped with an adapter to power 5V DC through the USB port for this set of USB DAC.
From the visual appearance outside, Audioengine gave Test Lab a good impression as soon as the device was in hand. All Audioengine D1 components are packaged inside a dark, round metal frame that looks very solid. The front of the device is an output volume control, a white LED for operating status and a power on / off switch and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Audioengine D1 is a RCA audio output for connecting speakers and two digital audio inputs.
Audioengine D1 connectivity is as simple as the design of the device. After reducing the output volume, Test Lab connects D1 to a PC via USB – immediately, the PC running Windows 7 “recognizes” and sets up audio playback directly on D1. Similar to Windows, Mac users do not need to install any additional drivers for this compact USB DAC.
where can you get a Audioengine D1 online
Audioengine D1 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter: Buy it now
To test the performance of the Audioengine D1, first, Test Lab tried to pair the device with the 2.1-channel Sony SRS-D8 Universal Speaker. With custom bass settings, the treble of the speakers at 50%, the slightly faint sound of these 2.1 channel speakers is much brighter. The music space is also wider when listening to stage music like An Innocent Man (Billy Joel), It’s going to be loved by Live (Roxette) and Still loving you (Scropions). The Sony SRS-D8 bass notes are also more noticeable with the help of this audio codec. However, due to the narrow frequency range of the Audioengine D1 range (from 10Hz to 25kHz), Test Lab decided to integrate this USB DAC with the pair of A5 + racks produced by Audioengine to try all the capabilities of the device.
Also with software for listening to Foobar 2000 (version 1.0.3), high quality music in FLAC and APE format, the rusty sound of the A5 + speakers really shines when “honed” of the USB DAC kit. Jheena’s vocals on songs such as All My Loving, Jambalaya, and Too Young on the album All My Loving (Jheena Lodwick) sound smoother, fuller and more inspirational. With the Songbrid CD1 CD, Kenny G’s trumpets are so soft and clear that there is no shortage of sound as the speakers are integrated with the integrated sound card of the computer.
With this USB DAC, the bass notes of the 2.0 channel Audioengine A5 + speakers have also been significantly improved when listening to heavy bass such as 1-2-3-4-5-6 Bass, THX Sound Bass, THX. – Jurassic Lunch (Major Bass). When listening to this vibrant music, Test Lab feels like he is in the middle of a lively stage or the sound of footsteps of distant tyrannosaurs moving away. Although not comparable to the “heavy” as when listening to the 2.1 channel Sony SRS-D8 speakers, but the bass notes of Audioengine D5 has been much better “processing” than not using D1.
Try connecting Audioengine to your computer with an optical cable, Test Lab recognizes that the sound quality is not much different when experimenting with high quality music sources. Test Lab has also tried connecting several models of headphones, such as the Sony MDR-XB300, Razer Electra and Audioengine D1, but never had to adjust the volume on the DAC over 1/4. The sound that goes through the integrated headphone amp circuit has a larger volume, the sound quality is also clearer, smoother and the detail of sound can be said “equal” as when heard with the Audioengine A5 + speakers. Even difficult instruments like piano and violin are also handled by Audioengine D1.
In general, if you are a high-fidelity music enthusiast with a modest investment, the Audioengine D1 is actually a USB DAC and a amplifier for headphones worth the attention.
