@mitch2 Thanks for sharing the link to that power supply. That is the first time I have seen a picture. That is definitely not the base level power supply. I know the base level external power supply doesn't come with chokes. The nice thing about the external power supplies is that they can be easily upgraded just by having another sent. Same goes with the future models of the Mojo Audio DAC's. I think that is definitely the way to go.
Six DAC Comparison
I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.
Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.
Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.
My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.
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Not interested in any of these DAC’s, as I am happy with mine, but really admire and appreciate your obviously many hours of hard work (and fun?) in comparing these units @mitch2 . |
You describe the difference between the less costly and more costly dacs in terms of a "bit" of this, a "bit" of that. I’m wondering how good a system must be to reveal these small differences. We are talking about the law of diminishing returns here, no? Just to be clear. I’m not in any way denigrating or doubting what the more costly DACs offer. I’m merely wondering whether choosing a 4K DAC, I’d actually be aware something was "missing". There’s obviously only one way to find out.
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I would not argue with that. IME, the relationship between cost vs. performance is more logarithmic than linear. As you move along the curve, it begins to take more money to achieve smaller gains. However, from my post yesterday, I quoted reviewer Michael Lavorgna, "While this difference wasn’t huge in ultimate terms, I find when I’m in the listening zone even minor differences can be important." I agree with his point that for some, it may be worth the extra money to achieve certain specific, small to moderate sonic improvements. The trick IMO is to figure out your personal, "good enough". Sometimes that limit where a system is "good enough" is defined solely by one’s wallet. Other times, it occurs when the entire system reaches an equilibrium where all the components and speakers are equitable from a price/performance relationship and the result sounds good enough to be enjoyable without further upgrading. When a system achieves that level of equilibrium, one further upgrade may set into motion the need for another whole round of upgrades until the equilibrium is achieved again. Finally however, some are never satisfied and continue to chase their personal vision of the "absolute sound."
Only you can make that decision for you. Of the DACs I have compared, I have no doubt many will be perfectly happy with the LTA Aero DAC and many others are already happy with the Benchmark DAC3. However, out of the group, and in my world, the top three are ahead of the rest. Although I could live with all of them, I prefer the two Mojo Audio DACs and the Merason, which has really continued to impress me. Of those three, I will not keep more than two. The SMc Audio DAC, which I will be keeping, is not far behind the three mentioned but will probably not make it into my main system except as an occasional visitor, simply because I enjoy the others just a little bit more. |
Thanks for your further comments.
Yes; of course. I wasn't asking for buying advice, if that's how it seemed.
I can't disagree with any of this. For a variety of reasons, "good enough" is good enough for me!
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