I am using the Oppo/Modwright 105d with the Ayon Stealth and feel it is a great combination on non-DSD files. I have another Oppo 205 for DSD and can hear a big difference. Match made in heaven to these ears
A DAC that can make digital sound analog?
Hi All,
I have a ModWright Oppo 105D. It’s excellent....but it sure don’t sound like vinyl or tape.
What DACs have you heard that really work like magic on digital audio files?
I am interested in DACs that kill that digital glare/blare, that gives you that sense of ‘blackness’ or ‘darkness’ to the audio soundscape, really letting you hear into the mix...ya know that layering, space and depth that is very evident on tape.
Very curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
I have a ModWright Oppo 105D. It’s excellent....but it sure don’t sound like vinyl or tape.
What DACs have you heard that really work like magic on digital audio files?
I am interested in DACs that kill that digital glare/blare, that gives you that sense of ‘blackness’ or ‘darkness’ to the audio soundscape, really letting you hear into the mix...ya know that layering, space and depth that is very evident on tape.
Very curious to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
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The Sparkler Audio
S503 CD Player is a very good sounding NOS player. Designed by the former engineer of 47 labs. Very natural in presentation with sweet detailed information. No need for a separate transport just a great one box solution. I have had many dacs, some mentioned here. The ANK 2.1b sig I once owned was the best, but your looking at some serious cash and my transport was a highly modified 47 Labs Flaifish. Total cost was north of 6k. The S503 comes close in sound but at about $1700.00 depending on conversion rates, its a best buy for sure. http://www.sparkler-audio.com/portfolio/S503_en.html Purchase here: http://charneyaudio.com/sparkler.html |
@cal3713 I cannot. it replaced a Sim Audio Moon 300D. Mine performs just as the online reviews indicate. I find it vary musical and not harsh at all. It has more of the analog sound synonymous with R2R dacs. |
The audible frequency is from 20K t0 20,000K according to audio magazines, but in reality, a persons ability to hear falls off rapidly after 16,000K. This can easily be verified by amplified test tones on a loudspeaker.@orpheus10 it should be 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, the latter is sometimes written as 20 kHz. You are totally correct that for most of us the hearing drops off earlier than 20 kHz. |
Interesting thread, there are a ton of days out there and clearly no real concensus. For any future posters making recommendations, it would be very useful if you also listed what days you've heard in the same system as your recommended product. Tough to make much of simple "this one's the best" statements without any context (or concensus). |
To go where no audiophile has gone before; past the vinylsphere, beyond the CD zone, and into the far off R2R quadrant. This is the destination one reaches when he records 2 track at 15 IPS and plays it back. No longer do I equate audio in terms of frequency and dynamic range, but in terms of "travelocity"; that's what kind of trip the music is going to take me on this time. With a bigger source signal, your speakers actually sound bigger, and 3D like you never heard it before; instruments popping out of space, this is what one hears in the far off R2R quadrant in the 15 dimension. |
I can see why they are naming DAC's R2R, because that's the only way you can get CD's to sound like LP's; that's by recording them and playing back on a good 2 track; in reality, you have transformed digital into analog, because there is nothing digital about the playback from tape. Technically, they're R-2R DACs, not R2R, and they have that name because of the resistor ladder circuit that they employ. It has nothing to do with reel to reel tape. |
Perhaps the highest end marantz and ps audio system are the ticket for you? (SA-10; SA-KI Ruby; DirectStream). These upsample everything to DSD and output a 1-bit signal - the idea being a “digital-version” of an “analog” signal. I have the Ruby and only listen to vinyl for the novelty of playing my dad’s records. |
@gregm http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/the-ortho-spectrum-analogue-reconstructor I am speaking more of inaudible frequencies provided by digital means. I am using the Ortho Spectrum AR-2000 now (see the link above). It has brought my digital much much closer to tape. |
@ brettmcee I have a serious suspicion that frequencies above 20kHz and below 20kHz are more detrimental than beneficial to audio reproduction.I beg to differ, esp above 20kHz; the sense of space, clarity, and "smoothness" are directly influenced by frequencies in the upper regions. IMO it is redbook’s brick wall at 22kHz that makes it sound "harsh" rather than "crispy", "tiring", "truncated", etc. OTOH, hi-rez digital playback can sound very good—IF the original recording is comparably hi-rez, of course! It’s just the same with vinyl: many of the better vinyls out there have content above 30-40kHz. The sonic result is, they sound "pleasant, smooth, enjoyable, real..." etc; in other words, vinyl was higher rez than much of the content we get nowadays! |
@rauliruegas When you have a reasonably good tape, and a properly setup and maintained reel to reel player, reel to reel tape sounds very very nice. This is why I started this post. I realized how much is missing from digital when compared to vinyl and tape. Digital does not have the same simultaneity, integration, natural contrast and beautiful empty space around instruments and vocals that reel to reel tapes can provide. I have a serious suspicion that frequencies above 20kHz and below 20kHz are more detrimental than beneficial to audio reproduction. They surly exert an unnecessary physical burden on speakers. Plus any audible harmonics from those higher than 20kHz frequencies are already in the recording. Why do we need to reproduce those inaudible frequencies again to reinforce audible harmonics that are already present in the recording? Tape has noise, and is very fragile and generally an annoying medium to deal with especially when one is stoned. Other than that, I’m totally sold on tape. |
Dear @orpheus10 : It's not exactly as the other gentleman said but neither as you said it. """ The standard also specifies the form of digital audio encoding: 2-channel signed 16-bit Linear PCM sampled at 44,100 Hz. " """ An audio CD can represent frequencies up to 22.05 kHz, the Nyquist frequency of the 44.1 kHz sample rate. """ "" The Nyquist frequency, named after electronic engineer Harry Nyquist, is half of the sampling rate of a discrete signal processing system.[ "" """ In digital audio, 44,100 Hz (alternately represented as 44.1 kHz) is a common sampling frequency. Analog audio is recorded by sampling it 44,100 times per second, and then these samples are used to reconstruct the audio signal when playing it back. The 44.1 kHz audio sampling rate is widely used due to the compact disc (CD) format, dating back to its use by Sony from 1979. """ Now, a Studer A80 proffesional studio recorder extremely well regarded R2R machine goes only to 20khz at 30ips. plus,minus 2dbs. Other regarded R2R machines does not makes things a lot better and always has the printthough problems with and the quality of the used tapes and quality of those recording/play R2R tape heads. Other " problem " is that all R2R machines develops odd harmonics. It can't compete with a flat CD frequency response or with the CD very low noise and non-existen wow&flutter coming in the R2R machines. That you like what you are listening is no evidence/fact of superiority against the redbook in today CDP. Each medium alternative has its native players that is the best way to go with either format. Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
orpheus10"I can't find "brickwalled" in my electronics dictionary. Could you provide evidence of this new electronics term in regard to CD's." I advice, suggest, and recommend that you understand digital theory before making pronouncements here such as " "If anyone wants to turn CD's into "superior" LP's, just record them on a good R2R at 15 IPS, and you will get what sounds like fantastic vinyl." You might start your research, study, and education with Nyquist and then go from there that will lead you to brickwall filters good luck in your education. |
orpheus10"Clearthink, it’s quite apparent that you don’t have R2R and you’ve never done this, so why did you take the time to make such an "unscientific" comment?" In truth, actuality, and reality the measured high frequency response of the CD is brickwalled where as that is not true of vinyl there is no way a CD or a recording of a CD can include the high frequency spectral content of a properly recorded, mastered, and pressed LP and that is the science of the matter as defined by the actual real world characteristics of the two mediums. |
Clearthink, it's quite apparent that you don't have R2R and you've never done this, so why did you take the time to make such an "unscientific" comment? While you're making baseless comments, I'm enjoying the most incredible musical sound ever heard from the combination of digital recorded on high speed analog; the playback is pure analog, and that's a fact. |
If you want that and more than that smiling : Starting Point Systems battery NOS dac TDA 1543, that you can connect to a transformer or to an external battery to charge the internal battery... The ratio quality/price exceed ANYTHING in the market...Read the unanimous reviews...reason why: it is a nos dac without sampling of any kind, and the most minimalistic design there is(a single tda chip) + an internal battery that lower the noise... In my system this is flowing pure musicality with plenty of details...I will never go back...Dac quest is ended...There is better than this EBAY selling dac,but for at minimum 1000 thousans bucks perhaps and not all dac at this price beat it.. |
orpheus10"If anyone wants to turn CD's into "superior" LP's, just record them on a good R2R at 15 IPS, and you will get what sounds like fantastic vinyl" Actually this is easily proven to be mistaken, invalid and false doing as you direct, suggest, and prescribe will not restore to the tape the high frequencies that are "brickwalled" by the CD encoding process that on LP can contain octaves higher in frequency response! |
I highly recommend the Sparkler Audio S504 "Unison" DAC. For those unfamiliar with Sparker, the brand is founded by Mr. Tsukahara, the former electrical engineer of Sakura Systems and the man behind the 47 Treasure series. I've had numerous DACs in my system, from DIY efforts like the Twisted Pear Buffalo to products of renowned brands like the Weiss DAC2. None of them made music sound so effortless and coherent like the S504. |
Is sublime when listening to Tidal Masters! The analog section of the preamplifier is also world-class in my opinion. This is by far the best unit I have ever owned or used. Have ever heard is the Mouradian 818 version three this is a full function preamplifier/control hub. The MQA DAC Is sublime when listening to I screwed up my first post. The best DAC IHave ever heard is the Mouradian 818 version three |
Actually, the problem mostly arises during the analog laser reading process. You know, what with the CD flopping around in there like crazy and the high energy scattered laser light getting into everything. 🤪 Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “But the Reed Solomon error detection/correction codes are supposed to fix any errors.” |
I have been pretty happy for a couple years with the Exogal.Comet Plus. Then I met Benjon Zwickel of Mojo Audio. First he substituted his illuminati power supply for The plus. Subtle butt clear improvement in all aspects of the music. Then he plugged in his Mystique DAC. The difference was not subtle. Two measures into the first song revealed greater clarity, focus, pace. The music has a palpable, engaging immediacy that is irresistible. By the way, his déjà vu server knocked out my previous resolution Audio and Theta front ends. |
@OP, these threads may interest you. I have walked in your shoes! https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/where-is-my-digital-problem-taste-vinyl-v-digital-dac-realiti... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/can-you-help-pinpoint-why-i-am-now-satisfied-with-my-digital-... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/i-m-getting-my-digital-closer-to-analog-while-retaining-the-g... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/tube-rolling-in-doge-7-dac |
OP, I had the same issue and question on two threads. I see splenty of great recommendations above. I seriously considered 3 of them. Unltimately I went with a Doge 7 tube DAC. I’m not a pro reviewer and so much of this is subjective so I can’t tell you it’s a panacea. But it has gotten me very very close to my vinyl rig. My vinyl is played through a Technics 1200GAE with an ART9 MC cartridges, fed to a Manley Chinook—if that gives any indication of my analogue quality. |
