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You want a DAC that sounds *different.* What factor helps you find it?

I'm thinking about trying a new DAC, adding one to the stable. 

What's most important is that it sound different than my present DAC.

If you were to look for a new DAC to try, what weight would you assign to each of these factors in predicting a different character of sound? 

1. chipset
2. design of DAC --- R2R etc.
3. power supply
4. tube or no  tube
5. ? (some factor or combination not mentioned)

I've become somewhat skeptical of user reviews because of uncontrollable variability related to tastes, system components, and vagueness of language used by reviewers.

So, without some appreciation of the ability for the above factors to affect the sound character, singling out just one or another factor seems like random guessing.

I'd love to learn from you all. I'd be curious to know, for example, that most R2R DACs sound similar, overall. That would help by directing me away from trying another R2R DAC. Or maybe they don't all sound similar; ok, that keeps them in consideration.

Same question with chipsets, power supply, tube/no tube.

So, again the hypothetical -- simplified:

You want to get a DAC that sounds much different than what you have. What factor helps you find it?

128x128hilde45
ghdprentice
7,148 posts
 

@pwerahera

 

I’m glad you brought up Audio Research DACs. I own an Audio Research Reference CD9SE DAC. It is simply phenomenal, musical, and detailed. It made a huge difference (positive) in my system.

 

My dealer lent me a Berkeley Reference Alpha 3 DAC to try and buy if I wanted ($22K). I was fully prepared to shell out the additional $5K for this very well respected DAC.

 

I was very surprised when there was no obvious difference. I really had to listen carefully and for long periods of time to detect differences. There was a difference in my system… very very small… the ARC was very slightly more musical and warm in the midrange and upper bass, and the Berkeley had ever so slightly more detail. But the difference was very small. To my partner (she has better hearing… but with little interest of knowledge in sound) the ARC sounded better. I also preferred the ARC sound.
 

Wow, that was a first… I liked the less expensive component. But then the rest of my system is Audio Research… synergy perhaps.

 

But definitely look a ARC.

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slantgut
16 posts
 

I would encourage anyone to try a true NOS DAC like the Holo May with a software upsampler like HQPlayer.  The learning curve is a little steep but it is game changing digital. 

alanhuth
32 posts
 

If you like the MHDT Pagoda idea - (I do)

    Non over- sampling

    No digital filter

    No op-amp

    No feedback

You might also consider other amps in that “family”.  I think they all use the old 16-bit Phillips TDA1543 R2R chip from 1989.  It’s a different sound, some find it “cleaner”.  I know I like it a lot compared to others I’ve tried. Most of these are in the $1500 range. My favorite is actually the Sparkler. 

 

MHDT Orchid

Sparkler S512

Border Patrol DAC

 

Once I stopped comparing and just listened, I fell in love with the sound. 
BorderPatrol has a musicality that you just don't get from everyday digital gear.”
- Steve Guttenberg C-Net

 

decooney
2,113 posts
 

Something *different* on this go-around for another DAC to rotate in includes a different approach with the dac architecture, design, parts used, and USA made.

Ordered a dac yesterday and kinda hoping it might even have a little bit *different* sound too.  Sticking to clean and simple design with few bells and whistles though.  

 

 

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