Best practices when conducting a DAC comparison

@bigkidz Thanks for your response and the details shared. I generally agree that if one doesn’t pick out differences immediately then it can be a toss up choice (having controlled and equalized the variables as best as possible).

I find this also applies to out of the box performance. If one can pick up differences at that initial point, then they become clearer as a component gets further run-in time on it. This has recently been the case with a couple of components.

I have also had the opposite experiences.

For example, I had to spend much more time A / B -ing to drill out and appreciate differences with a recent USB cable comparison. It was tough and time consuming but well worth it and very educational for me.

In some cases (where there were readily apparent differences upfront) elucidating whether they met my goals and preferences was a drawn out process. This happened with a recent speaker comparison.

I believe our level of listening experience and development of ’hearing’ expertise comes into play as well. Some may be much further along the spectrum, which would make elucidating the differences easier and quicker.

@georgehifi   Is there a 'cheater' way to get close enough? : )

I can do so, if you and others believe it is critically important.

@rbstehno   I have a long history of audio bricks as doorstops. : )

It would have been nice to have. In the end it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

@georgehifi Is there a ’cheater’ way to get close enough? : )

No.
If you do it by ear, you could be as much as 3db out on level matching.
Cheers George

@david_ten 

As I mentioned in my 11-06-2017 1:17pm post, "I ensured the volume control on my amp never changed". So while I do not disagree with George, it could be a moot point and you may want to forgo the hassle of precise level matching. Why, because the difference among the DACs may (and likely should or will) be audible from a tonality, dimensionality, or other characteristic that can be readily detected irrespective of level matching. Personally I'd "worry" about precise level matching only when and if you're at the stage when all else is equal.