Questioning the need for a DAC

Whitesix, discerning a difference between two components is something I also found to be very difficult in the beginning..

It wasn't until I got into reviewing some high priced cables/RCA's for the manufacturer and devoting a lot of time to what I refer to as "the art of listening", that I was able to notice small, but discernible improvements.

I started with a collection of about 20 tracks that I thought might indicate improvements in an audition. Over time that list changed, as I heard other tracks in which I heard sounds that were never before noticed, or were more pronounced. The number of my audition tracks is now over 50  and some of the original tracks are no longer used for evaluations.

I've listened to those tracks over and over and I am now very familiar with their various subtleties.

The other thing about auditioning - you have to allow time for the cables to settle and the components to burn in (if they are new).
- I've auditioned cables that took 3 days just to settle and over 300 hours to burn in - painful!

It's not what i would call f fun and I would recommend that if you are happy with the sound/components you have, then don't bother chasing nirvana unless you have endless cash :-(

I know people in this hobby tend to look for the next best sounding components, but I do not, I just like to get the best performance out of the components I have.

All of my cables are DIY and they provide amazing fidelity, bettering some very high priced commercial products out there.

For now - I am extremely happy with my system and no longer chase after better components or cables.

I'm just enjoying the music - finally :-)

Willie,
I respect your methodical approach to listening for nuances and details regarding cabling, but that isn't the way I roll.  I have a stressful career in which I have to remain focused on every detail, and the last thing I care to do is have to bring that same focus and concentration to discerning nuances between cables.  Just the opposite, in fact.   And goofy expensive cables are not going to grace my system as a matter of principle, as I am very aware of the law of diminishing returns.  For my CIA A/B test, all the Morrow cabling was the same and run in for a couple of years.  I stand by personal observation that the DAC in my Oppo 103D is not going to be much improved upon by a sub-$1000 DAC.  However, if one hears an improvement with the addition of a DAC, then good for them and my observations are irrelevant.  

My audio credo is very simple, if a bit peremptory:   If it don't hear a significant difference within a couple measures of music, it probably isn't worth it.  (This after 100 hours of break in for cabling and for new electronics).  If I have to labor to hear a difference, then it takes the joy out of the experience and I am probably deluding myself into thinking I am hearing an improvement. I have SR fuses and honestly can't tell a difference in sound over a cheap fuse.  I tried Shakti blocks and SR "dots" on the wall (and subjected myself to a lot ribbing from my audiophile pals who participated in the test of efficacy of the dots), and a boatload of other tweaks and sent them back for a refund.  However, in the mid-80's, I was one of Mod Squad's first customers for Tip Toes (spikes for speakers), and the improvement in sound was immediate and profound.   Now Art Dudley says spikes detract from the sound so everybody has to figure it out for themselves.  Fooling around with these tweaks is a lot of fun and can sometimes be very worthwhile, but in my experience, mostly not.   Look for a money-back deal if you try them.

To wit, I added a used McCormack DNA .05 amp to my system yesterday and OMG, the improvement in sound was thoroughly evident within 30 seconds!  It just blows me away how detailed and dynamic the music now sounds, with amazing LF slam, fading away to dead silence.  It is the finest amp I have ever heard in my system and I have had some very good ones (Modwright, Moscode 300, Berning, H-K II & V, various CJ, Belles, Bel Canto, etc.)   

Thanks again for your contribution to this thread.  Cheers, Mark

 

@whitestix - I know you have just said you are not going to look at different cables.  I wanted to point out that a cable that has limited resolution will not be able to reveal differences between DACs.  I have experienced this directly.  Using one cable when comparing DACs did not reveal any difference at all.  However, when I used a second (different) cable, it became obvious that one DAC was significantly superior to the other DAC.  I'm not going to mention brands, just that you may have experienced this and not known it.

Aux,
Fair enough, I reckon that increasingly pricey IC's might reveal some nuances to my chain of audio gear.  No question, many experience this and good for them.  The difference between a Radio Shack IC or power cord and the same from Morrow Audio is a no-brainer, the clarity and definition is quite apparent. Moving to the realm of cabling beyond that price point, in my experience, is of dubious value.  

There are two adages that come to mind.  First, you get what you pay for.  Second, you pays your money and takes your chances.  My view is that you ought to try every tweak you have available... so long as you get a money-back guarantee. Let your ears be your guide. Cheers.