Hardware is only as good as the interface that controls it. The SONE166 introduces a revamped firmware/software suite that is markedly more intuitive. Where older models required a steep learning curve or manual calibration, the SONE166 is largely "plug-and-play."
A: For resolution? Yes. Discrete R-2R (like Holo Audio) has fantastic tone but suffers from resistor drift over temperature, causing high distortion (-90dB to -100dB). The Sone166 holds -129dB regardless of temperature. For pure accuracy, sone166 is better . sone166 better
If you are building a reference listening room, upgrading your portable rig, or simply chasing the dragon of the perfect sound, do not settle for 10-year-old designs. The future of digital audio conversion is here, and it is stamped . Hardware is only as good as the interface that controls it
Independent mastering engineer Takahiro "Sone" Yamada (no relation to the codec name) performed a double-blind test. He played a 192kHz/24bit master of Steely Dan’s "Aja" through wired analog, LDAC, and Sone166. The results: For pure accuracy, sone166 is better
Some DIY audio testers use software that outputs a “Sone rating” for noise floor. “166” might refer to a sample rate (16.6 kHz) or a test ID. In this niche case, “better” would mean a (fewer hisses or hums).
A: Yes. The firmware is upgradeable via I2C. The manufacturer has promised MQA v2.0, DSD1024, and raw DXD support via updates through 2028.