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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.

mitch2
ghdprentice
7,363 posts
 

I look at it like this: there are probably a hundred variable involved in sound quality that the human ear / mind can perceive and only ten or so have measurements. So there is enormous room for variability. We are only measuring the big stuff.

There is reproduction of sound at each frequency, how different frequencies interact, attack and decay... it goes on and on. This is why after my first couple years in high end audio I stopped looking at measurements (with a few exceptions on amps and speakers) and just listen or read the qualitative stuff.

Just a couple comments about myself I was trained as a scientist and worked as such for ten years. I am always a scientist at heart... I have a home seismograph, weather station, pollution sensors. I track all my vital health variables, blood pressure, heart rate, VO2...etc. So, I am very pro analytical when it is useful... it is not very useful for high end audio.

stuartk
3,070 posts
 

@mitch2

Some here seem to get wound up over which of something is the "best" when there are so many variables such as the room, partnering equipment, musical selections, and listening biases and preferences, that "best" becomes an individual choice. I cannot tell somebody else what is best for them.

@ghdprentice 

I look at it like this: there are probably a hundred variable involved in sound quality that the human ear / mind can perceive and only ten or so have measurements. So there is enormous room for variability. We are only measuring the big stuff.

So true. I had a chance to demo the Mystique XSE and to my ears, in my room, with my gear, It was a stunning disappointment. The unit was used but in great shape. I just shipped it back to Hawthorne Stereo in Seattle so if anyone here is looking for one, they should still have it.

 

silverfoxvtx1800
211 posts
 

@stuartk 

Hummm I was thinking about trying the Mystique but probably not now…what other Dacs did you compare it too..

stuartk
3,070 posts
 

@silverfoxvtx1800

In my view, it would be a mistake to base your decision on my experience. This is my entire point -- it’s not only subjective in terms of how you hear and what you like but room and system dependent.

How can you possibly assume that we have any of the above in common?

I suspect, judging from what I’ve read about the Mystique, that I’m likely an outlier.

If you are seriously interested and want to save a bunch of money, I would check it out. If you have not done much research, then maybe not. Someone’s going to get a terrific deal.

 

silverfoxvtx1800
211 posts
 

What other dacs did you compare it too, if you don’t mind sharing…

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