129$. 32-bit 384kHz. DSD up to 11,2MHz. All thanks to a plug and play ESS 9018Q2C DAC, or what a smarter man than me hooted and hollered as high quality audio for the masses.

Spectra’s barely outputs any background hiss at all. We’re getting into hi-end DAP player territory here. It hisses less than an iPhone 6. iPhone 6, you say? What about muh AK70? or muh AK100? Or my Sony NW-WM1Z?

It hisses less than each one.

And, at full volume, it pushes a few measurable envelopes. It’s a bright-sounding thing, with good stereo detail to both extremes. NOS DAC fiends likely will find too much detail and too little low pass filter-induced accent to get into.

Under load and top volume levels, IMD levels jump by 3500%, but should remaininaudible. Most other metrics budge only a little, or budge within bounds totally inaudible at normal listening levels.

If you listen to a medium to high-end DAP on a daily basis, you’ll be ready for Spectra. It sounds good. It looks like a pen.

Note: I measured a 7dB difference in output across the board between the iMac and MacBook Pro. Because this problem is endemic to my iMac, posted results are for the 2015 MacBook Pro.

Source: nextDrive Spectra
ADC: Lynx Studio HILO LT-TB
Computer: MacBook Pro 21015; 2012 27" iMac
Cables: 1,5m Hosa Pro 3,5mm stereo to dual 3-pin XLR (around 8$)

Loads:
NL - no load
SM2 - Earsonics SM2
ES7 - Audio Technica ES7
DT880 - Beyerdynamic DT880/600

24-bit measured at +6dB (roughly the same volume level as an AK380 at max volume)

End words

I’ll be writing about Spectra next week at Headfonia. For now, let’s say that I’m more than impressed.