TOPIC:

Hello from a potential U-DAC8 owner.
Been looking at the U-DAC8 for output from Mac running Channel D Pure Music. I am also looking at multiple Power ICE 125's (without digital) to run my active 3 ways and sub.

How have your experiences been with the U-DAC8..... give it to me straight !

thanks mike

Hi Mike,
I'm a U-DAC 8 user since several months and I'm really pleased about the sound quality.

My setup: Windows Home Server --> HTPC (fanless, Intel dh67cf board with IR, Intel i5) --> USB (3 pins: no +5V wire, data only + GND ) --> U-DAC 8 --> DIY 5 channel power amp class D based on L15D modules + Sub --> Canton Reference / Vento 5.1 speaker
Front end is KODI / XBMC.
Power comes from a USB master/slave power strip, where the PC is the master and switches on all other devices as slaves via USB signal.

Sound?
I couldn't find anything better in this price range for multichannel. I tried before a Terratec DMX 6Fire audio converter, the Asus U7 external soundcard and the Realtec 892 internal sound.
Nothing compares to the U-Dac8 in terms of sound clarity esp. with complex music. Usually I listen everything from AC/DC to Beethoven and some strange Jazz.

I get 4 "clicks" in the speakers when the PC boots - also when I switch the frequency from e.g. 48kHz to 96kHz.
This is still unsolved for me.

Hope that helps,
Christoph

p.s. I ordered the U-DAC8 directly from MiniDSP, but needed to pay some custom fee (I live in Germany). I found a trader in France ,,, just in case you live in EU as well.

@ Christoph,

Thanks a ton for your review. Glad to hear that you're happy with the unit.

We'd be happy to investigate the 4 clicks when PC boots. Not 100% sure what it could be but we're guessing that these are really small in levels? Anyway for you to start a tech support ticket with our team? (minidsp.desk.com) We can take it from there to see if a custom firmware could solve the problem.

Devteam

Hello,

I am also based in Europe and I am also thinking about buying a U-DAC8
The Terratec DMX 6fire is also an option; I see that you have tried both
Can you please clarify why/how the U-DAC8 is better?
Thank you in advance

Hi Peter,
that's simple - several reasons:
1. I needed a simple USB multichannel DAC without any other stuff, e.g. input / output / headphones
2. I had many issues with the Terratec USB drivers, nothing really worked with Win7 and Win10
3. the U-DAC8 sounds much better and supports 24/194 on all channels

At the end for me counts the sound quality. But it depends on your setup.
I go straight into a power amp without any pre-amp or AVR.

Another option might be the ESI Gigaport HD+

Hope that helps,
Christoph

Hi Christoph,
That is exactly what I need as well!
PC --> Multichannel DAC --> Multichannel Power amp
The device I am looking for shall have multichannel support in WDM as well, not only ASIO - I believe U-DAC8 can do that, is that correct?
I was looking at studio grade audio interfaces as well but usually they don't have multichannel WDM support, except for RME and MOTU but those cost significantly more

I am planning to connect a IMG Stageline STA-2000D power amp to the DAC then connect Nubert nuBox 513 and nuBox 313 speakers
So do you think that the U-DAC8 is a great choice for that?
Thank you very much
Peter

Peter,
nice setup - I prefer also a clean straight forward listening chain without any AVR.
WDM? No idea, should work, I never had issues with any sound.
Nubert is great, I run a quite good Canton 5.1 set (Reference 9 as front, center, sub and 2 rears).
My Mediaserver is Kodi and I use also Apo EQ with Room EQ Wizard for room compensation. The minidsp UMIK-1 helped a lot.
I built my own 5 channel class d power amp (first one on the list - great sound and huge power ): audiocreativ.de/index.php?route=informat...on&information_id=11
Now I changed to a Ceratec Penta 5 channel power amp, because of the built in volume control. It also sounds great!

I had some issues with the UDAC-8 and my DIY amp, because of some "plops" when switching on. Now I'm using the ESI Gigaport HD+ DAC and the Ceratec amp and all is fine.
My DIY amp is for sale now - interested?

Some considerations:
- Think about volume control - using the "digital" volume control on your PC means that all noise will be 100% amplified as well
- Check also good cables - that's a good investment and no voodoo: IMHO the Audioquest Forest brings the best value for the money for USB connection - don't underestimate that - I was surprised!
- the UDAC-8 has full 24/192 for HD music compared to the ESI Gigaport HD+ (only 16bit/48 on 6 channels), sounds similar (similar AKM chip), but the UDAC-8 is more expensive

I can send you my U-DAC 8 for testing. I open the cased once, because I replaced the USB-section, but should be ok for testing.
Let me know if you're interested - I live in the Rhein/Main area.

Cheers,
Christoph

Hi Cristoph,
Can you please send me your email address in a private message so we won't flood this forum
Thank you
Peter

done - check your inbox

Hi Christoph,
Thank you, I have sent you an email
Cheers
Peter