GIGAPORT HD/HD+

[kallesprätt]

I just preordered a GIGAPORT eX. I will try it with my Mac mini and HAKAI-alike and report back.

Ron The Mon

Did you try the Gigaport eX? If so what do you think about it?

/Kallesprätt

[FairPlayMotty]

IMG_20200723_194821~2.jpg

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For those wondering what DAC chip is in the Gigaport HD+ it's the AK4358VQ.

All of the older model Gigaport DACs seem to have dropped in price. Gigaport seems to be moving to USB C.

[matthias]

For those wondering what DAC chip is in the Gigaport HD+ it's the AK4358VQ.
All of the older model Gigaport DACs seem to have dropped in price. Gigaport seems to be moving to USB C.

And which DAC chip is in the new eX?

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

I asked them Matt but won't bet on a response. Good DACs but ESI isn't very transparent about the specific DAC chip used.

The Dr. DAC Prime uses a TI DAC chip so the company doesn't seem to be wedded to one DAC chip supplier.

If they get back to me I'll post it. In fairness they did tell me a while ago that new models were going to be launched. I never did understand why that update was disputed.

[FairPlayMotty]

Response from ESI on the new DAC chips:

The new ESI GIGAPORT eX use also the AK4358VQ as DAC.

The ESI UGM192 use a Cirrus Logic DS4272 as ADC/DAC.

[FairPlayMotty]

Ex - don't change a winning recipe assuming all they changed was the USB and the red case plate.

[matthias]

Response from ESI on the new DAC chips:
The new ESI GIGAPORT eX use also the AK4358VQ as DAC.

Thanks for sharing, FPM.
Curious about the first listening impressions.

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

Matt,

I hope they've either improved on it or just added the USB C. It will be cool if someone buys one and reports back.

Hi res may be supported this time around for those who want it.

[FairPlayMotty]

Having received the first of two Chinese DACS I ordered it's obvious that Fredrik's choice of the Gigaport HD+ DAC was genius at work. I seem to recall Sopper had to play with the settings of a 2k Euro DAC to compete. I really hope the Ex version is as good. Other people I know on this forum have experimented with other DACs at a higher price point and not got close to the Gigaport sound.

[matthias]

I really hope the Ex version is as good.

FPM,
did you order one?
Thanks

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

Matt,

No, I might do soon.

Cheers,

Brian

[matthias]

Having received the first of two Chinese DACS.......

May I ask which Chinese DACs you got?
Thanks

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

Both nameless.

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CM6631A digital interface USB conversion I2S SPDIF coaxial output 32Bit to 24Bit 192K sound card Decoder Audio DAC Board.

The other has ten DAC chips in parallel. I was guided by a website where an audiophile buys Aliexpress gear.

If they're any good I'll report back.

[FairPlayMotty]

The Linn Classik in my kitchen needs a Hakai.

And my teenager wants one :-)

[matthias]

If they're any good I'll report back.

Thanks,
but makes sense only if they are superior than the ESI.

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

Matt,

Exactly.

Best,

Brian

[FairPlayMotty]

If they're any good I'll report back.

Thanks,
but makes sense only if they are superior than the ESI.

Matt

To my amazement the second DAC sounds initially very similar to the Gigaport despite having a completely different architecture. It's very good on musicality. Across a wide range of music I am enjoying it. I'll be interested to hear it with the other players and see if it has any burn-in. But plugged into the Hakai it's making me smile.

I wish the maker used a more modern DAC chip. They used ten TDA 1543 chips from 1989 in parallel. So this plays 16/44 only.

The silver box has SPDIF, optical, USB B, RCA connectors and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

[matthias]

I wish the maker used a more modern DAC chip. They used ten TDA 1543 chips from 1989 in parallel. So this plays 16/44 only.

No worries, the TDA1543 is en vogue.
Here is another one with this chip, recently released, this time from Japan:

http://sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S512_en.html

Matt

[FairPlayMotty]

No worries, the TDA1543 is en vogue.
Here is another one with this chip, recently released, this time from Japan:

http://sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S512_en.html

Thanks Matt - judging by my ears rather than chips now. It's a very similar DAC to the one used in the near legendary KillerDAC (one was completely re-built for agent_kith by a friend). Sometimes simplicity triumphs.

I do really want to hear the Gigaport EX. Now I'm able to get out and about again I may borrow one. If I do, I'll make clips.

[OscarH]

Still nobody with an Ex?

The HD+ finally seems a bit tricky to get hold off.

Could be tempted to build another streamer for the TV room...

[springwood64]

I've got an ESI Gigaport EX on order. I'll post clips if I think it's comparable to the HD+

[Lego]

I've got an ESI Gigaport EX on order. I'll post clips if I think it's comparable to the HD+

And if it's not comparable ?

[springwood64]

And if it's not comparable ?

Ha! I guess I'm expecting a small difference - hoping for an improvement but suspecting either no improvement or a small degradation.

If it's no improvement I'll sell it.

[springwood64]

I have swapped the Gigaport Ex out and restored the Gigaport HD+.

I'm still burning the Ex in but it is not good enough to replace the HD+ at the moment. The Ex has no magic to it.

I'll leave it burning in for a couple of weeks and then compare again.

[springwood64]

After a couple of weeks burning in with both Hakai and Tinkerboard I have now recorded comparisons between the ESI Gigaport EX and the ESI Gigaport HD+

The differences in construction between them are pretty small.

• Both have the same DAC processor.
• The EX USB input is USB-C instead of mini USB.
• The EX does not have an LED to indicate I/O, so one less LED overall.
• The case and LED colours are different between the two: EX is black surround with red facing whereas the HD+ is silver.
• The EX comes with small rubber feet, whereas the HD+ has no feet.
• The EX USB processor comes with shielding attached, whereas the HD+ has no shielding.

Volumio Tinkerboard build 2.878 can recognise and play to the EX but cannot play to the HD+.

For comparisons see this post: https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtop ... 192#p58192