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KEF LS50 Wireless Internal vs External DAC ??

I am finding my KEF LS50 Wireless to sound warmer, fuller, and more spacious, with better resolution of image location, when running my streamer (Audio Alchemy DMP-1/PS-5 power supply) to Audio Alchemy DDP-1 DAC/Preamp into its RCA inputs (which are then internally converted via ADC and again DAC) than I am running my streamer direct to the speakers via USB.
Given the numerous redundant conversions at play, I speculate that the ADC conversion is so much more transparent than I imagined and that the internal DAC in the KEFs is so much worse than I expected that I would recommend others use a high-quality external DAC with these speakers (even if they are to be internally re-DACed within them). 
Anyone have this experience?? Thoughts??
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mavvrik
10 posts
 
hello, i've used the ELAC Discovery music server connected to the KEF LS50 W and i can confirm that the RCA connection nets the best sound.
Noticeably better than when using the KEF's DAC via the Optical connection.

I can only assume that the LS50 W DAC is not comparable to outboard DACs and dedicated music servers.
sfroyen
7 posts
 
I believe the analog signal on the RCA ports is run through an ADC, processed by the digital filters and then by the internal DACs. Quite possibly they will sound different but it's not because you are bypassing the internal DACs.
thelsuman
1 posts
 
I too am intrigued by this question, as I am considering the LS50w’s for use with a digital front end along as with some analog sources.  Would love to hear more user experience comparing analog and digital inputs with these speakers.
guidodg
8 posts
 
After having read the reports about sound quality using the RCA inputs and an external DAC on these speakers I tried it myself and am pleasantly surprised by the results.

I am using a heavily modified Yulong DA8 DAC and definitely feel there is an improvement in detail retrieval and overall sound quality compared to using the USB input on these speakers.

I have no idea why this is the case, especially bearing in mind that the RCA analog inputs are resampled by the internal DAC of the speakers...
emerald's avatar
emerald
26 posts
 
Any active monitor with ADC in the process will render your beautiful expensive DACs useless.  Sell your DAC and buy a better digital streamer or change to a DAC-less monitor. 
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