Best practices when conducting a DAC comparison

I agree that the only way to compare audio equipment is a/b any contenders.  I also agree that matching volume if allowed two inputs is critical.  Is there any better way to hear the difference?

There are so many very good brands out there, reviews and comments/opinions  like these provide a guide in narrowing down selections within your budget...

jhv

@bigkidz   Is your 30 second test after break-in and when doing a quick A / B? Thanks.

@rbstehno  I agree. We are the ones living with our gear, usually for significant periods of time. These are very personal choices based on our experience and preferences and system synergy.

@dpetri  To date, to my knowledge there is only one major review of the Denafrips Terminator DAC that I purchased. I had made the decision to do so prior to the 6Moons review, but it came out approximately the same time I placed the order.

Certainly preferable would be a number of sources, owners and reviewers, to help with the choice. Good as a guide, especially if one finds their preferences line up with a reviewer's. But as @rbstehno  posted, ultimately it's our ears, and system, and room, etc. etc.

@dumacker  Thanks. I guess that is the crux of the issue: "Is there any better way to hear the difference?"

As a general update, I have two weeks of run time on the new DAC. I still need to install the Gen 5 board in the Yggdrasil and get it running as well. Everything is still on track for an evaluation between both towards the end of November.

Please add any other thoughts on the topic and approaches on how to best go about a DAC comparison. Thanks.

david_ten I build Direct Heated Triode DACs - most people never heard a DHT product.  First you should have the material that you are extremely familiar with so you know what you are looking for so when you swap out the product you are using, you should know if the newer product makes enough of a significant change based on your listening experience.  I know that many people will say that it has to be in the system for some time for you to get to really hear what the new product offers, well they are probably right, but IMO only, I usually get to hear what it does within 30 seconds probably because I know the material extremely well.  for example, I have a switch in my preamp where I can change resistors by turning a rotary switch.  There are 5 resistors that you can select from.  My partner could hear the changes without knowing which resistor was which simply because we have listened extensively to those resistors in the past, so he was able to know which resistor was what immediately.

I wrote the 30 second test because I manufacturer Direct Heated Tube products so I am biased.  Typically I bring my DAC over a persons home to audition or ship one to them.  So the DAC is usually already a broken-in model.  Most people want to hear it in their system before purchasing so we offer a 14 day in-home trail.  Once it is plugged in, if you don't hear an immediate change to the sound of your system or want the DAC offers within 30 seconds, send it back.  After about 20 to 30 minutes the tubes begin to warm up and the sound will change again for the better.

Happy Listening.  To the rest of you reading this, keep the comments to a minimum!

 


 

david_ten
Best practices when conducting a DAC comparison

Each dac will have a different gain structure (volume), don’t trust your ears to level match.
It must be done with a 1khz sine wave and measure the ac mV (millivolt) at the speaker terminal.

Cheers George

Why would anybody buy a dac without MQA support? Just a few years ago, you probably had the same naysayers about DSD as you do about MQA. A good DSD cut is far superior than the same 16/44 cut. If you purchase an expensive dac today without MQA support nor the opportunity for a future upgrade, your dac will be a paperweight in just a short period of time. So not only will you be wasting your $, you will be missing out on hearing some great music!