Woo Phantom DAC - Why did no one do this before? (⚡Lightning Review⚡)
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- The Woo Phantom DAC is a product with a unique form factor and a surprisingly tube like sound signature!
Content and analysis sponsored and made possible by supporters on / goldensound and headphones.com
Woo Phantom DAC: wooaudio.com/sources/wooaudio...
Measurements: goldensound.audio/
This unit was loaned to me for review by Woo Audio. I do not use affiliate links and have no financial relationship with Woo or any other manufacturer.
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0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Build and Design
1:27 - Sound
2:45 - Measurements
3:40 - Sound (Continued)
5:17 - Outro
The GoldenSound youtube channel, and all content is created and owned by GoldenSound LTD - Розваги
Some of the ESS DACs Ive seen have DSP sound color modes, one of which adds 2nd order harmonics, sometimes referred to as "tube mode". I bet they have that turned on by default.
That was my first thought too, glad to see more brands putting those features to use.
so, basically, a dongle dac on xlr cables. Nice but, if I have an amp with full size xlr inputs, I probably also have the space, desire and intent to buy a significantly better dac.
yeah, this makes little sense.
EXACTLY! 💯
😂😂😂
@jungtarcph just like their tube dongle... seems like the good idea fairy is skipping Beta and going straight to release.
Still, I can think of several use cases where adding XLR stereo outputs in this way would be quite useful but, always in a production / pro audio context...
Golden sound, over time I have built a tremendous respect for your opinion and especially for your comparisons. Lots of others talk a lot, but when you talk, I listen. I own a Woo Audio WA11 and it also has a warm signature.
This HAS been done before. My very first outboard DAC (2010-ish) was the Halide DevilSound DAC, which had this form factor - in essence a hardwired dongle with USB on one end and RCA's on the other. It was my introduction to the head-fi world, paired with a little Bellari single-tube headphone amp (I forget the model number). I still have both of those pieces lying around somewhere. Need to hook them up and hear what they sound like now!
great review as always backed by measurements,a REAL reviewer..
One thing I'd add is there's an annoying fade-in sometimes when you start sending audio to it that's noticeable in the Phantom DAC that wasn't present on any of the other DACs I have.
Really enjoy your reviews and respect your opinions especially on mqa although as an owner of a dcs bartok you're off my Christmas card list. It was nice to finally be able to put a face to your voice. Keep up the great work we all appreciate it
Really clever design. I wonder if the power consumption is within what a smartphone or tablet can handle.
good info on the product. I am using this DAC on my work desk system, keeps my desk clean and simple.
Because you'll hate throwing your DAC if the cables goes bad ?
Isn't that the whole point of having a fully separated chain ?
I hope no one yells at me for this, but I’m considering getting the balanced version of this to go from my PS5 to a THX AAA 789 (yes, I know it’s not “truly” balanced) powering my HD660S2s. Does this sound like a good idea or a complete waste?
Nvm, I’m an idiot. I bought it and the PS5 doesn’t even recognize it. Apparently I’ll just never get balanced audio out of my PS5 😢
How do you do your blind testing?
By poking his eyes I'm guessing 😏
Hoping also on a Woo Audio Tube Mini review 😊
How much? I’m in love it
Great review! I never knew that Woo makes superb DACs. Can you please compare this to Woo’s Tube Mini DAC? Thx.
I have a old Mojo1 blue-tacked to the back of my TV for chrome-cast duties, I wonder if this would sound better.
You were at CanJam in NY recently? When was this filmed?
Looks like very interesting product. In your opinion, how is it compared to Mojo 2?
This is very cool... Expensive though
Interesting device. What is the XLR output voltage? The USB gets 5V from the computer, expected voltages for XLR is 5v, DAC will consume some so what is left?
XLR is 4 volts, not 5.
@@LeonidKhachaturov , yeah...you're right. Some are 4
Sweet looking product, and the price seems right on point, the description of the DAC makes it sound almost too perfect, hopefully it doesn't sound too grainy
I like it!
As @johnmcdevitt9797 already said, the reason why "no one has ever done this before" is because... someone already has done this before. Halide Design, with their devilsound DAC. I think the form-factor's really cute. But I don't know how far you can actually push sound quality. (I haven't heard the Woo, but the Halide is "okay.")
It's been almost 15 years since the Halide came out, the sound quality of such miniature gadgets has improved dramatically since.
I will admit that I have been curious of the Phantom DAC for a bit because it seems like such a good pairing for Genelec 80X0 series monitors in terms of its form factor. Unsure of how a tubey presentation would mix with the Genelec house sound, though.
What is genelecs house sound? A focus on mid range timbre ?
@@imwhatsnew I would not be the person to ask for the exact details there. You do fairly consistently hear people call them 'cold' or 'harsh' (outside the Ones). While I do not completely agree there, I do feel like there is a throughline of clear note separation (in the absence of a better way to put it) based on my experiences. If they were headphones, you would say that they are quick with a fast decay. Which makes me think that it might have something to do with the reduced diffraction from their rounded shape, for example, rather than FR as such.
apple dongle + 3.5mm to rca
See Halide Design, devilsound DAC v2, this design idea is not new! I would choose Woo Audio over Halide Design for a DAC like this based on personal experiences. Michael always takes the time to take care of Woo customers! P.S. Halide Design does not offer a true balance output XLR making Woo the first that I know of to offer a XLR-DAC in this form factor! Not sure if Halide Design is still operational??
I own both, the Devilsound and DAC HD. Love em to bits!
I can't imagine Woo selling these in great quantities. 😢
I just can’t see why they would go for USB A instead of C surely that would make more sense? 🤨
why nobody did it? because it is DUMB. You got an usb-c to usb A from any android phone, get a BTR3, 5 or 7, and get whatever 2.5, 3.5 or 4.4-xlr cable you desire. Cheaper and upgradeable.
That usb is way too fat though. On a laptop it will block neighbouring ports.
I heard it at CanJam Dallas, and was not really a fan of the sound
✋ Promo>SM
A lack of soundstage depth has been a common failure of every ESS DAC I have ever heard. Up to the Weiss 501 MkII I tried to get to you for review.
This, however, does look interesting...
I hope you're well. Thanks for the upload.
Pleeeeease
This DAC has a fixed soundstage depth, haha, more audiophoolery is hardly possible.
Sonnect is a pro audio company that recently announced a product very similar to this but usb c and overall more rugged build quality. IMO dacs are dacs and once you spend more than 100$ you can’t tell a difference between them.
well your opinion is wrong but you're lucky if you can't tell. the rest of us can and it's why this market exists
They're charging $400 to attach a dongle DAC to a cable. Dumb design and huge ripoff.
"recently" kek.
500€ for usb DAC, it's a shame 😅
And with shitty tube sound too 😅
Another audio gear nobody need it.
Great.
Everyday new dac, new iem... I cantvmemorize the names anymore.