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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
OA-JC3
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: R2R USB DAC
- Supported Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±2 dB)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 83 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N): 0.15% @ 1 kHz
- Stereo Crosstalk: 73 dB @ 1 kHz
- Maximum Output: 2 V (rms)
- Digital Input: USB Type-C
- Analog Output: RCA
- 125 × 100 × 70 mm
- External DC 20 V adapter (USB-C PD-compatible; not included)
Description
The OA-JC3 is equipped with a ladder-type DAC, which, due to its simple construction, demands high precision. After five years of development, this device has succeeded in maintaining resistor deviation within 0.1% using a highly compact module.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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Traillii Japan Version
- Positioning: The entry-level unit designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Features a straightforward design with reliable circuit performance that works well for small rooms and modest sonic goals. Compared to other offerings like Mellianus JP or Isabellae, it offers basic functionality without advanced processing and is best for buyers with tighter budgets and simpler use cases.
Mellianus JP
- Positioning: A mid-range model balancing performance with cost effectiveness.
- Description: Incorporates improved build quality and refined circuit design that delivers clearer sound details for medium-sized spaces. Compared to the entry-level Traillii while not reaching the high-end sophistication of the Monachaa-1, it provides a noticeable step up in technology and sonic refinement.
Monachaa-1
- Positioning: A performance-focused unit aimed at enthusiasts looking for richer sound reproduction.
- Description: Introduces novel signal processing enhancements and a more nuanced circuit layout which offer a marked improvement in dynamic range and clarity. While it outperforms both Traillii and Mellianus in technical complexity, it remains a notch below the advanced features found in the Isabellae and Szalayi series.
Isabellae
- Positioning: A high-end product engineered for advanced audiophiles demanding greater technical performance.
- Description: Brings a refined power management system combined with enhanced signal integrity that suits larger rooms and higher sonic expectations. In comparison with the Monachaa-1 and Mellianus, it offers elevated build quality and more complex internal design while still positioned below the flagship Szalayi in terms of complete functionality.
Szalayi
- Positioning: The flagship offering that features the best available technology in the lineup.
- Description: Uses state-of-the-art components and advanced circuit design to achieve superior sound fidelity, wide soundstage control, and additional functionalities suitable for the most demanding setups. Compared to all others in the range, including Isabellae's high-end performance, Szalayi stands out with the most advanced features for buyers who prioritize maximum technical sophistication and versatility.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
817
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
10
Founding Year
2015
Our take on the brand
Oriolus is a Tokyo-based hifi brand best known for the Traillii IEM, which achieved near-mythic status at ~$6,000 through its unconventional all-balanced-armature design. Using 8 balanced armatures for lows/mids and 4 electrostatics for treble, it delivers unusually natural bass speed and holographic staging. The brand regularly releases Japan-specific editions and focuses on sound-first engineering over flashy packaging.
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Brand Page
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Oriolus
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What if you spend more?
Laiv
Harmony µDAC
994
994
/
5
Reviews
Laiv offers stunningly built hifi products at prices almost as attractive as the products themselves. Their Harmony and uDAC R2R DACs feature discrete R2R digital to analog converters with the option to run NOS (Non-Oversampling). And their HP2A amplifier is one of if not perhaps the most powerful commercially available headphone amplifier, delivering over 60 volts of output, and over 25 watts into 32 Ohms as tested by Cameron.
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Product Strengths
- Offers similar outstanding sound quality to the more expensive Laiv Harmony DAC, but at a more affordable price
- Uses the same R2R ladder modules and FPGA digital processing as the larger Harmony DAC
- Exceptional build quality with a solid aluminum chassis that looks sleek and feels premium
- Provides NOS (non-oversampling) and OS (oversampling) modes for sound customization
- Features four digital inputs (I2S, Coax, Toslink, and USB), and balanced XLR outputs
Product Considerations
- Has no RCA outputs, requiring balanced inputs on the amplifier or preamplifier
- Uses an external power supply (wall wart), instead of a built-in one
- Does not have a preamp mode
- Uses a USB type B connection, instead of a USB type C
- There is no remote control included, sold separately
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus the Topping Centaurus R2R DAC, the Harmony µDAC offers a better sounding one in all aspects
- Versus the Denafrips Ares II, the Harmony µDAC is preferred for its superior resolution, greater differentiation between tones and textures, and overall more dynamic sound
- Versus the Topping D90 Discrete, both are fantastic DACs with different flavors, the D90 has a cleaner presentation, and the Harmony is more realistic
- Versus the Gustard R26, the Micro DAC is unleashing higher resolution and more in-ear tone detailing, and just richer mid-range baseline also has more texture
- Versus the Laiv Harmony DAC, the Micro DAC gives a huge chunk of that performance for barely a little above one third of the price of the Big Brother
Takeaway: The Harmony µDAC delivers exceptional sound and build quality at a reasonable price. This DAC is worth checking out for those who want the high-end R2R sound without spending a lot.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Laiv offers stunningly built hifi products at prices almost as attractive as the products themselves. Their Harmony and uDAC R2R DACs feature discrete R2R digital to analog converters with the option to run NOS (Non-Oversampling). And their HP2A amplifier is one of if not perhaps the most powerful commercially available headphone amplifier, delivering over 60 volts of output, and over 25 watts into 32 Ohms as tested by Cameron.
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Product Page
Denafrips
Enyo 15th
699
699
/
1
Reviews
Denafrips is at the forefront of the modern R-2R DAC movement, producing DACs with a smooth, rich tonal quality that prioritizes organic sound reproduction over analytical detail. Denafrips products deliver ultra-low noise and distortion, competing with ultra-high-end DACs at a fraction of the cost. Often compared to Holo Audio, Denafrips shares a similar philosophy and price-to-performance ratio. They're known for using hand-picked resistors and oven-controlled crystal oscillators, which creates a more natural, analog-like sound compared to traditional DAC chips.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Constructed from thick aluminum, making it substantial and incredibly solid
- Buttons have a strong tactile feel, are firm and responsive
- Delivers bass with remarkable extension and control
- Creates a wide and spacious soundstage, extending well beyond the boundaries of the speakers
- Presents music with a sense of warmth, texture and realism that's incredibly engaging
Product Considerations
- Bass is not as clean as some other gear, though some may like it that way
Takeaway: The ENEO offers a natural and musical sound, making it a special listening experience. It connects you with the music on an emotional level and is worth the price.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Denafrips is at the forefront of the modern R-2R DAC movement, producing DACs with a smooth, rich tonal quality that prioritizes organic sound reproduction over analytical detail. Denafrips products deliver ultra-low noise and distortion, competing with ultra-high-end DACs at a fraction of the cost. Often compared to Holo Audio, Denafrips shares a similar philosophy and price-to-performance ratio. They're known for using hand-picked resistors and oven-controlled crystal oscillators, which creates a more natural, analog-like sound compared to traditional DAC chips.
Product Page
Product Page
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