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Benefits of an external DAC

I need a sounding board from you folks.  I have a slightly upgraded Oppo 103 CD player that was a big SQ improvement over my Consonance tube CD player.  I need a DAC to take the stream from my iMac, turn into an analogue signal to my preamp.  Lots of folks rave about the benefits of an external DAC so, in progression, I got a Jolida tube DAC, a Schiit Gungnir, and a Channel Island Audio DAC.  I connect the Oppo to the CIA DAC with a coaxial cable.  I input the analogue signal from the Oppo into my preamp with RCA IC's.    

It is easy to switch between DAC in the path vs. the Oppo analogue signal straight into the preamp.  I tell ya, I have done the comparison between all three DAC's vs. the analogue signal run from the Oppo to the preamp and have been unable to discern any difference.   Zero, zip, nada.  I have done the comparison with lots of audio pals and nobody hears a wits worth of difference.

There clearly are lots of devotees using external DAC, but in my system (with a Don Sachs tube preamp, Pass Labs First Watt F5, and Spatial Audio M4 Turbo S speakers, with good cabling), I am perplexed as to why the use of an external DAC makes no difference in the SQ in my system. It sounds exactly the same.  

I am awaiting a demo of a Denafrips Ares DAC to see if this well-regarded DAC does something to the SQ -- one way or another.  So far, the employment of a DAC to improve the SQ of the signal from my Oppo has been an utter waste of time.  What am I missing?
whitestix
whitestix OP
720 posts
 
Stfroth,
You have a solid take on my dilemma. so thanks for the erudite post.  The Denafrips Ares audition is in the works at the moment and I am keen to audition it.  What totally perplexes me is that in the comparison of my CIA and Gungnir DAC's to the Oppo straight into the preamp, I frankly could perceive no difference in the SQ either way.  Trying as I could, with a pal switching back and forth on the selector switch, there was absolutely no perceptible difference in SQ in any fashion with or without the DAC in the path.  Bring on the Denafrips DAC and let's see what I hear.   :-)  
bigkidz
3,392 posts
 
If you don't hear a difference then be happy.  Chips have sound characteristics but it comes down to implementation such as the power supply, etc. already mentioned above.  My friend recently compared two R2R Dacs, one tube DAC $7500 and one SS DAC $2500.  The higher priced tube dac has a 30 lb power supply with top quality caps and resistors, chokes, copper chassis, etc.  While the SS R2R was nice sounding, it could not reproduce what the tube DAC did in his system.  I don't remember his exact words  but the tube dac had a bigger soundstage, tone was better, details and layering was better, definition was better and it was quieter, etc., etc.  Worth the extra money?  That is up to what you want your system to sound like. For a casual listener maybe not, to a person who really values those attributes, probably. 

He also tried the DACs direct into his amp and using a SS preamp.  Without the preamp the details were amazing BUT with the preamp the soundstage was much larger.  Again preferences.  

So it really comes down to what you are hearing and how the DAC is designed.  If you don't hear a difference than try something else or just be happy.

Happy Listening.

whitestix OP
720 posts
 
bigkidz,
I do have a Denafrip Ares en route to me for a demo, similar in price to my CIA DAC, so I will give the a listen to it in my system. I can hear clear differences in SQ swapping amps, preamp, tubes, cables and speaker wire, but I will be damned if I hear any difference with modestly-priced DAC such as I have or have had compared to my Oppo.

I will get back to you guys early next week with my impressions of the Denafrips DAC.  If it doesn't improve the SQ of my system, then as you suggest, I am going to "just be happy".  I am enthralled with the sound of my system as it is.   Thanks. 
bigkidz
3,392 posts
 
what digital cables is everyone using?  I have had great success with the Moray James cable.

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

The main benefit of an external DAC is that you at least have a chance to feed it a low-jitter source.  Jitter is the #1 thing that can prevent digital from sounding like analog.  If your transport does not low enough jitter, you can add a good reclocker, like a Synchro-Mesh.  If you decide to go computer audio or a server, you can use the DAC for this.

Secondary benefit is better power subsystem and less sharing of this if they are separates. This is the benefit of any separates, including preamp/amp versus integrated etc..

A world-class S/DIF cable for $275 is the BNC-BNC cable with RCA adapters.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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