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old vs new DAC designs and sound differences

Hello fellow Audiogoners, there are alot of DACs around. After having listened to various DACs, I come to the conclusion that differences between DACs are not dramatic. Some relatively old DACs, like the Accuphase DC-91 or the Wadia 9 can still compete with the best of the current DACs. So age (with regard to design) doesn't matter much (1). There is actually no real difference between non-oversampling, filterless designs and the over and upsampling designs with the most difficult and sophisticated algorithms (2). A good sounding DAC, whether it is old, new, non oversampling or over and upsampling remains a good sounding DAC. Differences between loudspeakers are much bigger. Even differences between power amps are more significant than between two well designed DACs (3). So there is no reason at all to replace your albeit old but still good sounding DAC. I know I'll keep my oldskool Accuphase.
dazzdax
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I dont agree. Having modded about 12 different DAC's from the early Meridians to the Benchmark, I have found that not only the DAC chips, but the upsampling chips have gotten a LOT better in recent years. You just need to hear the right DAC chip in a well-executed implementation. It's the difference between a detailed sound and a lush, beautiful lifelike sound that is not only unfatigueing, but actually captivating, approaching vinyl quality. The rest of your system must be up to the task though...
arni
313 posts
 
Well, there are so many factors that affect the sound of a DAC beside the dac chips, such as the jitter reduction circuit, clock, power supply, and output stage. Even if there has been tremendous progress in Digital to Analog Conversion over the last 5 years, I think well designed no cost object older DACs can outperform newer ones that are cutting corners with less expensive parts in the power supply, OP amps etc. However, I don't think there much comparison between older and newer dacs cut from the same cloth of cost/budget restraints; Benchmarc Dac1 or Bel Canto Dac II of today have no competition from the past generation of the $1000 price tag.
italian
126 posts
 
Interesting conversation. I have a 90's vintage CJ DA/3 DAC. Should I consider upgrading this or can this even be upgraded? I bought it with the thought of using it with some sort of multi disc player as my 2nd CDP. But as of now it's in the box awaiting its fate while I ponder. Thanks, Dave
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Arni - I agree, the design and parts quality makes the DAC, as well as the chips. However I have found that cost is not neccessarily the best metric. I have found numerous strange and questionable designs, particularly in the digital areas of extremely expensive DAC's from smaller companies, which I will not name here. It's really hard to know who to trust to do a decent design. Ralph Dodson, who had a long career designing digital electronics for military/aerospace applications, has experience with digital design.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer/modder
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