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Amp or DAC?

I’ve wondered about this for a while and was hoping for some opinions: 

Let’s say I compare the same company’s 75w into 8 amp and their 150w into 8 amp. Will I notice a difference in sound quality? If so, why?

If there is a difference between the 75w and 150w per channel amp can I narrow the gap or even exceed the 150w amp by using a better DAC?

Also, has anyone noticed that a lower watt amp has less distortion than a higher powered one, so throwing my understanding that the same manufacturer’s higher powered amp should be superior to it’s lower powered one out the window?
cd45123
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Let’s say I compare the same company’s 75w into 8 amp and their 150w into 8 amp. Will I notice a difference in sound quality?
Yes.
If so, why?

Not because of power.

If there is a difference between the 75w and 150w per channel amp can I narrow the gap or even exceed the 150w amp by using a better DAC?
Nobody knows. Its a question of sound quality. Power is but one factor- and the most insignificant one at that.

Also, has anyone noticed that a lower watt amp has less distortion than a higher powered one, so throwing my understanding that the same manufacturer’s higher powered amp should be superior to it’s lower powered one out the window?

Often times the lower power one sounds better. Its not about power. Once you get above something like 20 to 50 watts few things matter less. The position of the volume knob. I’ll give you that one.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Different amps perform fundamentally differently; listen for yourself if you don't believe it.

To your second question; No, you can't make a DAC confer the attributes of a better amp, and vice versa. If you want to upgrade the system as if different amp and DAC, you need a different amp and DAC. There are no shortcuts to superior systems. There may be different configurations - but not shortcuts. 

Don't get hung up on distortion specs; it's a great way to build a mediocre rig. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
If you're lucky enough to reach mediocre. The worst sounding system I ever heard was all stuff that looked beautiful on paper. It was also the most money I have seen anyone spend to achieve horrid sound. One night after listening to my system a while his wife came up to me and with this astonished look on her face said, "I could listen to this all night!"  

If that's what you want, drop the thing with numbers. Like a hot rock.
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