Product Loan: Soundfort (MJTS Co., Ltd.)
I'm T, a writer whose posts recently have been mostly about music.
Good evening everyone!
When I was younger, I just wanted to be able to listen to music, so I didn't really care about the details of the sound environment.
Even now, I can play music directly from my iMac and it sounds pretty good (←hey!).
But once you get into it, getting to the depths of music is what makes it fun.
So, today I'm going to talk about the audio manufacturerSoundfortI borrowed the high-end USB-DAC "DS-200" from Mr., so I would like to review it!
What is a USB-DAC anyway?
Yes there! Good question!
Isn't it better to listen to music through good speakers or headphones?
I can hear some people saying this, but if you look closely at the music, you'll find that there are actually many areas that could be improved.
For example, it looks like this:
- Good sound source (bit depth and frequency)
- Good A/D conversion (in/out)
- A good amplifier (boosting or reducing the signal)
- Good speakers/headphones
- Good ears (lol)
Of these five, the second and third positions are taken by the "USB-DAC"!
I won't go into details, but basically, when listening to music on a computer, the built-in system is weak, and the sound becomes noisy and cloudy...that's the drawback.
This is unavoidable, since computers are made on a limited budget.
The USB-DAC solves these problems and converts them into beautiful sound.
By the way, when it comes to sound, the best environment is headphones.
That's why the USB-DAC is designed to enable you to listen to the best sound sources in the best environment with headphones.
So while overseas is one step ahead in the world of music, the USB-DAC "DS-200" has been released, designed with the soul of Japanese samurai spirit.
This time we will review this model!
The beautiful exterior of the "DS-200"
Without doing any unboxing ceremony for the DS-200, let's start by looking at the exterior.
The front view is pretty simple: a power button, a headphone jack, and a volume control.
The volume switch is machined from aluminum, giving it a luxurious feel, and it has a pleasant feel when turning it with just the right amount of torque.
Small details like this are incredibly important.
I like that there are neither too many nor too few interfaces on the back.
We have high expectations for this approach, which aims to eliminate unnecessary functions and focus on sound quality!
The accessories are also very simple: just an AC power supply and a USB cable.
That means it's easy to connect.
Connection and setup is super easy
The connection is quite simple, so let me explain it quickly!
Plug in the AC power supply and connect the USB cable to your computer.
This is the only mechanical connection.
All that's left to do is change the audio output on your computer to "DS-200 USB DAC" and the setup is complete!
Music environment and audio settings
I'd like to introduce the equipment and settings I used to review the "DS-200."
The headphones being tested this time are the "TAKUMI" headphones from Ashida Acoustics, which we introduced previously.
Since these are monitor headphones, I will create a listening environment where I can hear the sound clearly.
By the way, an interesting feature of the DS-200 is that the "sound source mode" and "sampling frequency" lights up automatically according to the sound source being played.
This is probably an irresistible feature for audiophiles.
Now that we're ready, let's review the sound quality!
I actually listened to the audio on my MAC.
I tried four genres of audio.
Classical, dance, pop, R&B.
What kind of sound will the DS-200 produce?
[Classical] Chopin
Let's start with the classic Chopin.
The first thing that came to my mind when I listened to it was, "The mid- and high-range sounds sparkle!"
The sound is less muffled and the contours are clearer than when listening directly through headphones.
And the sound quality is pretty flat.
It doesn't show any sharpness or imbalance.
This is very easy to listen to.
[Dance] 80s'BEST
The next thing I listened to was a best collection of 80s classics turned into Eurobeat songs.
When I normally listen to music, I tend to listen to a lot of songs with a strong bass tone, so I'm not sure what to think.
Perhaps because the tuning is more towards the mid-to-high range, the bass doesn't seem to be emphasized.
This does not mean that the bass is weak, but rather that it has a tightness to it.
Also, the speed of the BPM gives it a sharp feel.
But it's not a sharp feeling, but rather a nicely seasoned sense of speed.
You don't dislike it, do you??
[POP] Savage garden
The third disc features Australian POP that gained worldwide popularity in the late 90s.
It features a somewhat sad melody and has a neutral sound quality.
これはいいですね。
The sound field feels very wide.
The mellow sound quality and crystal clear sound give the feeling of spaciousness as if the ceiling had been widened.
The character of the sound is simply flat.
There are no quirks whatsoever, and the clear sound is gentle on the ears.
[R&B] Whitney
Lastly, we have R&B legend Whitney Houston.
I think it would be a good match for the DS-200, which excels in mid-to-high tones. What do you think?
This was a jackpot!
Even the delicate rubbing of Houston's lips can be heard clearly and the sound is sparkling!
It's slow, but it still feels fast!
The sound quality, sound pressure balance, and resolution are all excellent, making you feel like you're listening to music from the comfort of your own home in Houston.
I think this is undoubtedly the best sound quality environment for R&B!
Overall impression: The clarity of the mid- and high-range sounds is excellent!
How was it?
Overall, it is a wonderful product that lets you enjoy sparkling sound in the mid-to-high range.
It's a little pricey, but it delivers exceptionally good sound.
- Cost-effectiveness that allows you to get high-end mid-range and high-range sounds
- Compact connectivity with no unnecessary features
- A sophisticated piece for interior decor
In summary, I personally think that if I can get this sound at this price, it might be worth buying.
To summarise the evaluation, it looks like this.
The tight bass has good attack and may even be suitable for jazz!
The world of USB-DACs is fun! Why not get lost in it with us?
This concludes the review of the DS-200!
See You Again!!
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・You want a clear sound field with honest sound quality
・I want a USB-DAC that will last me a lifetime
・People who often listen to POP, R&B, etc.