Real-World Experience with ES9038Q2M DAC in Home Theater

[Wyatt Cruz]

I’ve been testing an ES9038Q2M DAC module, which supports 32-bit/384kHz and DSD. Compared to the more common PCM5102, it offers higher dynamic range, cleaner lows, and more detailed highs.

However, this chip is quite sensitive to power supply and clock quality—using a basic supply easily introduces noise. To get the best performance, it’s better to pair it with a low-noise LDO or an external clock.

Here’s the ES9038Q2M datasheet, which provides detailed specs and interface information.

Has anyone here tried ES9038Q2M in a home theater setup? How does it compare to PCM5102 or AK4493 in your experience?

 

[DeweyTOakley]

I’ve been testing an ES9038Q2M DAC module, which supports 32-bit/384kHz and DSD. Compared to the more common PCM5102, it offers higher dynamic range, cleaner lows, and more detailed highs.

However, this chip is quite sensitive to power supply and clock quality—using a basic supply easily introduces noise. To get the best performance, it’s better to pair it with a low-noise LDO or an external clock.

Here’s the ES9038Q2M datasheet, which provides detailed specs and interface information.

Has anyone here tried ES9038Q2M in a home theater setup? How does it compare to PCM5102 or AK4493 in your experience?

I haven’t used the ES9038Q2M extensively in a full home theater setup, but from my experience in stereo systems, it delivers very clean detail and excellent dynamic range.

 

[dolynick]

The Anthem AVM 70 switched to ESS 9038Q2M in the production run after the AKM plant fire and supply shortage. Sounds just fine. Not sure what it is you're looking for. I doubt anyone could actually tell the difference between the ESS and AKM variants of the 70 if you did get two side by side. It will do DSD over HDMI but that is pretty much the only case with where it will on the AVM 70 - but that might be an Anthem specific implementation choice.

 

[TLS Guy]

The Anthem AVM 70 switched to ESS 9038Q2M in the production run after the AKM plant fire and supply shortage. Sounds just fine. Not sure what it is you're looking for. I doubt anyone could actually tell the difference between the ESS and AKM variants of the 70 if you did get two side by side. It will do DSD over HDMI but that is pretty much the only case with where it will on the AVM 70 - but that might be an Anthem specific implementation choice.

Whether or not it decodes DSD is largely irrelevant as no one has mixed in DSD for years, as it is so complicated. So all DSD sources have been mixed in PCM for years. The other issue is that the whole theory and reasoning for DSD is bogus and junk science. So decoding of DSD is not worth worrying about.

 

[dolynick]

Whether or not it decodes DSD is largely irrelevant as no one has mixed in DSD for years, as it is so complicated. So all DSD sources have been mixed in PCM for years. The other issue is that the whole theory and reasoning for DSD is bogus and junk science. So decoding of DSD is not worth worrying about.

We are all well aware of your hatred of DSD. Not really relevant to the discussion though is it? The original question mentioned it and I was simply giving my results with the DAC implementation in my device.

 

[TLS Guy]

We are all well aware of your hatred of DSD. Not really relevant to the discussion though is it? The original question mentioned it and I was simply giving my results with the DAC implementation in my device.

It is not hatred, but engineering fact. DSD was in response to the long debunked theory of the 'staircase' of the PCM waveform, which is total and complete nonsense. There is not engineer today who does not believe that the rationale for DSD of PCM is total nonsense. Facts matter and not superstition.

 

[dolynick]

:eyeroll:

It was commentary over support of a format, not its merits.

 

[TLS Guy]

:eyeroll:

It was commentary over support of a format, not its merits.

That only applies if a disc does not have a PCM layer and most discs do.