Sabaj D5 - Owners' Thread

[DACslut]

I think so.
Things are a bit confusing unfortunately.
My D5 is also updated to 1.6v2 and I'm using the USB anti-interference "firmware".
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When I need to install the Windows 10 drivers, I go to http://www.sabaj.com.cn/en/services.asp?id=79
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First I install the "D5 Drive" and then the "D5 USB anti-interference" following the "Instrutions.txt" (yes, this is the file name lol).

I don't know if this is right or wrong, but I never had a problem with my D5, not even when I had the problematic version 1.2 IIRC.

Thanks Bro.

 

[Cothealiv]

Figured out what my issue was. There was a wireless headset connected to a Playstation 5 and I was getting interference from it. Unplugged the wireless dongle and it fixed my issue lol. Should have known, just overlooked it. Already ordered my ugrade tool, so I'm going to be doing that as soon as I get it in.

 

[DACslut]

Is anyone using a dedicated BT 5.x receiver with their D5? If so, please offer your recommendations. Is a BT LDAC preferable and should the receiver have both Toslink and Coaxial outputs? My budget is up to $200. Thanks and this thread has been a godsend for me!

 

[RickSanchez]

Is anyone using a dedicated BT 5.x receiver with their D5? If so please offer your recommendations. Is a BT LDAC preferable and should the receiver have both Toslink and Coaxial outputs? My budget is up to $200. Thanks and this thread has been a godsend for me!

I use this: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38071

It's Bluetooth v5.0. Works fine. (I only use it as a receiver for my Sabaj D5, not as a transmitter.) Doesn't have LDAC or a coax output, but it has all of the Bluetooth codecs I use and I just connect it via SPDIF. Well inside your budget as it's only ~$30 US.

Although not listed in the specs if you look through the questions you'll see a Monoprice staff member say that the range is ~30 feet.

 

[DACslut]

I use this: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38071

It's Bluetooth v5.0. Works fine. (I only use it as a receiver for my Sabaj D5, not as a transmitter.) Doesn't have LDAC or a coax output, but it has all of the Bluetooth codecs I use and I just connect it via SPDIF. Well inside your budget as it's only ~$30 US.

Although not listed in the specs if you look through the questions you'll see a Monoprice staff member say that the range is ~30 feet.

Thanks, I'll definitely keep that one in mind. I especially like the 5V USB power jack because I have several power banks that could be used with it, thereby saving me from having to use an AC/DC converter.

 

[DACslut]

I just discovered this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Bluetoo...d=1&keywords=B07W5RB5GN&qid=1630245259&sr=8-1

It seems to check ALL the boxes, is very well reviewed and also well under my budget limit. I might just order the Monoprice model as a stopgap measure until I finally make up my mind.

 

[RickSanchez]

Amir reviewed the LDAC portion of the iFi Zen Blue. It does well ...

Conclusions
The ifi Zen Blue is an excellent digital transport when used with LDAC codec and Toslink/Coax output. You can pair this up with a DAC and get any level of end to end performance you need. The internal DAC is not that good though. Like to see that improve by at least 15 dB to give us CD rate of 96 dB.

But seems like a lot to pay because it's a Bluetooth receiver plus a DAC. With the Sabaj D5 you already have a DAC so you're paying extra for redundant functionality.

 

[Nooby1411]

I currently own a Sabaj D5, but i am contemplating on selling it for a JDS Labs/Topping stack as I can't fully utilise the balanced xlr connector and with the other jack the power is a bit low. Does anybody has a JDS Labs/Topping stack that can tell me their experience with both?

 

[Mr. Olinad]

I currently own a Sabaj D5, but i am contemplating on selling it for a JDS Labs/Topping stack as I can't fully utilise the balanced xlr connector and with the other jack the power is a bit low. Does anybody has a JDS Labs/Topping stack that can tell me their experience with both?

I have the JDS Atom + Topping D50 and I think it's a better solution if you're going SE only. It's been a while since I last used the D5 as a headphone amp but I remember that it really lacks some power and I won't remember exactly why but I tought that the Atom+D50 stack sounded better, even more with IEMs.
I bought the D5 to use only as a DAC paired with the 789 in balanced mode and it's hard for me to say the difference between these two stacks. The only clear situation is with the HE500 that has a better bass definition in the balanced stack.
The JDS Labs amps are really good and you have a lot of DACs to choose in the market. Maybe the better for you is to buy the amp and use it connected to your D5 SE output, just to feel how D5 as a DAC and JDS as an amp sound. This will probably be the same sound you'll hear no matter the Topping DAC you choose.

 

[Nooby1411]

I have the JDS Atom + Topping D50 and I think it's a better solution if you're going SE only. It's been a while since I last used the D5 as a headphone amp but I remember that it really lacks some power and I won't remember exactly why but I tought that the Atom+D50 stack sounded better, even more with IEMs.
I bought the D5 to use only as a DAC paired with the 789 in balanced mode and it's hard for me to say the difference between these two stacks. The only clear situation is with the HE500 that has a better bass definition in the balanced stack.
The JDS Labs amps are really good and you have a lot of DACs to choose in the market. Maybe the better for you is to buy the amp and use it connected to your D5 SE output, just to feel how D5 as a DAC and JDS as an amp sound. This will probably be the same sound you'll hear no matter the Topping DAC you choose.

Ah alright, I don't have the money to buy an amp as i have spend my whole budget on the D5, so i will probably sell my D5 then and get a individual dac and amp.

 

[officialsm]

User manual Is not so useful.
Anyone could explain me DIMMER menu level and home set It?

About filtets which do you suggest to use?

 

[RickSanchez]

About filters which do you suggest to use?

I wouldn't worry about it too much, just try them and use the one you think sounds best. (Assuming you can hear a difference between them; I'm not sure I can.)

From a technical perspective I believe Amir would state that the Apodizing filter is the most "correct". Take a look at when he reviewed the Topping EX5, and how he lists the #2 filter as the correct one. You'll see the same type of commentary in most of Amir's DAC reviews where there are selectable reconstruction filters, either pointing out that the DAC has a "correct" filter or that it only has slow rolloff filters.

 

[officialsm]

Do you use stock power cord or custom?

 

[RickSanchez]

Do you use stock power cord or custom?

I can't imagine any reason to spend the money on a custom power cord. Take a look at Amir's measurements where he's using the stock power cord, for example USB in/ XLR out:

"As expected, some mains interference is running around although once again, their levels are extremely low at -130 dB. "

At this level of performance with the stock power cord what perceived problem would you be trying to solve by buying a custom power cord?

 

[officialsm]

I have an issue, i hope anyone could helps me.
Streaming with BUBBLE UPNP app, with Raspberry (Moode Audio 7.3) connected through USB to Sabaj D5. Raspberry has an OLED screen that shows bitrate.

Issue Is that D5 bitrate on screen seems to be locked to first song i play. Ex: If i start all and First song has 96 khz bitrate, i will have 96 khz written on D5 screen until i will restart Raspberry+D5.
Make attenzione that Raspberry OLED shows Always correct bitrate.

Simeone have experienced this?

 

[Mr. Olinad]

Must be something with the way Raspberry communicates with D5 via USB.
I never had this kind of problem when using foobar with different files bitrates, even when switching between DSD files and non DSD files. There's only a click sound, but the display works fine.
Are you on the last firmware?

 

[officialsm]

Must be something with the way Raspberry communicates with D5 via USB.
I never had this kind of problem when using foobar with different files bitrates, even when switching between DSD files and non DSD files. There's only a click sound, but the display works fine.
Are you on the last firmware?

Firmware 1.6
"audio info" in Moode menù shows always correct bitrate.

 

[officialsm]

Must be something with the way Raspberry communicates with D5 via USB.
I never had this kind of problem when using foobar with different files bitrates, even when switching between DSD files and non DSD files. There's only a click sound, but the display works fine.
Are you on the last firmware?

OFFICIAL SABAJ STORE REPLIES THIS:

The USB of D5 is in asynchronous mode. If the operating system is android or something, please pay attention to whether the system avoids the ASRC function that comes with the system. The settings of the player are very important.


But how can i fix It?

 

[Mr. Olinad]

OFFICIAL SABAJ STORE REPLIES THIS:

The USB of D5 is in asynchronous mode. If the operating system is android or something, please pay attention to whether the system avoids the ASRC function that comes with the system. The settings of the player are very important.


But how can i fix It?

So basically they're saying the problem is on Raspberry interface.
Looks like something you cannot fix (based on how hard it is to find this subject on google).
I'd suggest you to ask on some Moode Audio thread, but looks like you already did it lol.

 

[officialsm]

So basically they're saying the problem is on Raspberry interface.
Looks like something you cannot fix (based on how hard it is to find this subject on google).
I'd suggest you to ask on some Moode Audio thread, but looks like you already did it lol.

If i set oversampling i can solve. Not clear what means in terms of audio quality