How easily can you distinguish between different DACs?


When I read reviews or watch them on YouTube the reviewers talk about the vast differences between various DACs.  I haven't compared too many, but found the differences pretty subtle, at best.

Which got me into thinking:  Is my hearing ability really that bad?

Do you notice the differences as easily as folks make out?

128x128audiodwebe

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the considerate and detailed reply.

I have sent you a message.

There's as much difference between different DACs as between different amplifiers, preamplifiers... a DAC is not just a chip. The elements around it (input chips, clock, power supply, and last but not least analogue output stage) all have an impact on the sound.

If you don't hear differences between two DACs, it may be that 1) those two DACs have very similar construction and components or 2) your system isn't resolving or 3) you're deaf.

DAC differences are always a lot subtler than speakers or rooms and a lot depends on the quality of the listener (untrained vs trained listener, older vs younger ears, etc). In many ways, the listener/test subject can be a high quality test subject or a low quality test subject.

Higher quality power conditioners can even out differences between dacs at different price points, especially if they share the same topology and are made by the same manufacturer. 

Swapping between manufacturers, topologies (DS Vs R2R), the chips in use, opamps vs discrete output stage, etc can let a test subject hear differences better.

Dac differences can become easier to hear if the test subject uses a BACCH processor... very subtle differences in the soundstage will become easier to hear with BACCH.

If the test subject processed his files with Daniel Hertz Master Class (Cwave), he may not hear many differences on some dacs at all...

etc

If it is very hard to hear differences in dacs consistently for a higher quality listener, there would be other heavier bottlenecks in the setup..untreated/incorrectly treated room, pooer setup, screwy speakers, amps, etc...

 

Developing critical listening to discern differences in equipment takes time.  It requires a person to listen to performed music, both acoustic and amplified, in different venues, and print their memory of their impression of sound.  Yes, some will argue that there is much written that memory decay is quick with regard to remembering sound quality, but I still believe this is the place to start.  Then use good experimental technique in doing head to head comparisons in the same system so the only variables are the two pieces of equipment under evaluation.  Compare the equipment to your impression of how live music sounds.  Recognize, I have used the word “impression” a few times.  Impression is not reality.  It is what you believe is correct, and that is the goal.  What other’s impressions are is insignificant.  Do not focus on measurement other than for insuring system compatibility such as impedance matching.  We have not found measurements other than frequency waterfall plots that can possibly predict sound quality, but those are conducted in an anechoic chamber and do not hold in your room.