Considering all the praise for new DACs that are NOS and using old chips like the TDA 1543?
Have DAC’s improved for Redbook CD playback?
So I’m contemplating getting a new DAC or DAC-pre. I own an Oppo BDP-83SE player, a Theta DS Pro Basic IIIA DAC and a Logitech Trandporter. I still use my DAC unit’s for Redbook playback.
Have DAC’s improved for Redbook CD playback?
Have DAC’s improved for Redbook CD playback?
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- 24 posts total
Your THETA DS PRO BASIC III has 4 x PCM1702-K R2R Multibit d/a converters in it, one of the best R2R Multibit d/a converters before they stopped production because of the high cost of manufacturing them. Then the majority of dac and cdp makers went to the far cheaper to manufacturer Delta Sigma converter, which does sacd and dsd, but myself and many others view it as not as good for Redbook pcm conversion, as it’s not "bit perfect" just a "facsimile" of the real thing, sure they sound sweet and smooth but there’s no jump or boogie factor that gives music life like the R2R Multibit dacs can. My advise to you, keep your Theta DS pro for RedBook pcm 16/44 or 24/96 and don’t forget DXD as DXD is the ultimate and it’s pcm. And if you want to listen to Sacd or DSD get a Delta Sigma based player/dac Cheers George |
@roberjerman Here is a stone fir you! Not true. Many DACs measure quite poorly. Stereophile A+ list doesn’t include every DAC they tested because only a few tested beyond reproach. I agree that audible differences are often nit-picking. However there seems to be a recent trend towards lower accuracy (more euphonic) DACs which has accelerated. I guess after a few market leaders have finally (after 30 years) produced DACs with measurement beyond reproach, the next evolution or alternative is to market euphonic coloration to distinguish your product from others... |
I don’t know over what time period you’re asking, but in the last 20 years dac chips per say have not improved greatly since NOS dac chips like the TDA1541a Double Crown or BB-1704k. Today manufacturers are doing everything they can to "get a leading edge" in technology - instead of focussing on music. Overall the dac chips gives very little to the complete sound. I would say the digital part in total would contribute no more than about 15% or so to the complete sound. The psu and analog stage, combined with pcb layout matters more. So yes, dacs have progressed significantly in the last 20 years, but not because of breakthroughs in dac chip technology. That comes down mainly to better parts (eg: caps, chokes), boards, psu’s, improved manufacturing processes etc & the natural evolution of dac topologies over time. |
- 24 posts total