A DAC is merely a special kind of computer designed to do just that one task.
Help: Anthem STR dac vs Bryston BDA-1 and others - sounds the same to me
I wanted to go ahead and throw this out there, I know there will be differing opinions but here’s my experience THUS FAR... I cannot hear one shred of difference between the internal DAC of my Anthem STR preamp vs my Bryston BDA-1. Are you surprised?
I’ve listened back and forth on two sets of speakers and test tracks via Qubuz with Roon - speakers are Klipschorns and KEF Reference 5.
I know the Bryston is older so perhaps that has something to do with it. OR, do we often overemphasize what we THINK we hear when we say a DAC sounds so much better than another?
I no longer have the Lumin T2 but I think I remember it sounding better but now I can’t be sure of what I was hearing. I do believe in hearing bias but I would expect to hear something more drastic.. Or are my ears just shot? I don’t think so - but who knows.
Is the DAC in the Anthem just that spectacular?
I’m asking because I’m thinking about adding a Denafrips Potus for fun.
Anyone else have the Anthem and think its DAC is on par with other reasonably priced external dacs?
I’ve listened back and forth on two sets of speakers and test tracks via Qubuz with Roon - speakers are Klipschorns and KEF Reference 5.
I know the Bryston is older so perhaps that has something to do with it. OR, do we often overemphasize what we THINK we hear when we say a DAC sounds so much better than another?
I no longer have the Lumin T2 but I think I remember it sounding better but now I can’t be sure of what I was hearing. I do believe in hearing bias but I would expect to hear something more drastic.. Or are my ears just shot? I don’t think so - but who knows.
Is the DAC in the Anthem just that spectacular?
I’m asking because I’m thinking about adding a Denafrips Potus for fun.
Anyone else have the Anthem and think its DAC is on par with other reasonably priced external dacs?
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jasonbourne52 A DAC is NOT a computer! Hence NO programmingA DAC is very much a computer. How else do you think a DAC can perform the mathematical computations necessary to convert digital code to an analog signal? |
Unless I'm missing something. A DAC is a programed chip or series of chips?. SO who ever is doing the programming is the artful sort or NOT. I say the better DAC is programmed by a great musician that happens to be a "CODE WRITER". NOT a code writer that is NOT a musician by any definition. That "DAC" is also coupled with a front end and final components. It could be a very cheap "POP on, POP off" unit that blows tweeters, or a Krell with pure class a, before and after the DAC chips, with foil resistors and all 1% or better matching and of course a perfect power supply. A DAC is not just a DAC. THOUGH I agree a lot can be said about "Who's programming what, NEXT"? The Programmer or the Musician? Regards |
The STR Preamp is supposed to be a flagship of sorts for Anthem. I have one and like it a lot. The DAC pleases my ears more than the one in my previous DAC-preamp, a Classé CP-800. Other DACs I’ve tried in this system include the Auralic Vega and Benchmark DAC3. What sets the Anthem apart from Bryston or Benchmark units is its ability to drive one or two subwoofers, crossed over digitally, and to set parameters for those crossovers that result in outstanding blend between mains and subs. Also, its ARC auto-EQ offers a great deal of control and works well for evening out bass in problematic rooms. |
