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Next best exponential DAC quality level?

I recently did a shoot out of three DACs using my Hint6 + routing each of the other DACs to analog input on the Hint6:

(1) Hint6: ESS Sabre32 -- Integrated 

(2) SMSL M500: ES9038PRO D/A   ~$400 

(3) Khadas ToneBoard(v1): ESS ES9038Q2M - ~$99

I played the same song passages on Amazon Music and was able to cycle through each Hint6 input corresponding to each DAC.

The result?  Very small difference in terms of rendering.  Maybe a more open sound stage with better overall balance using the Hint6 DAC.  The Khadas was more bass / midrange pronounced w/ a more narrow soundstage.  However, I wouldn't suggest that any were head-and-shoulders "better" over the others.  In fact, they were all pretty decent with only small nuances (certainly not worth the price differences.   

I decided to keep the Khadas for my small headphone listening area. 

But it got me thinking - how much would one have to spend to realize an exponential difference in quality?  Is the Khadas that good, or is DAC technology differences more nuanced than I originally thought (meaning, we're paying 10x for only 5% better).  

 

martinman
stuartk
3,511 posts
 

@martinman:

It's regrettable that you inadvertently stepped on a hornet's nest. 

The best approach would be to listen to DACs at various price points and of various architectures in your system and let your ears decide. DACs cover quite a wide spectrum, in terms of sonic presentation so it's a matter of personal taste. You can't learn what will most please your ears from anyone else-- you have to listen and figure that out for yourself! 

 

 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,376 posts
 

OP, I have had a Schiit Bifrost for a few years and it sounds good. I bought a Hegel H390 and the built in DAC sounds every bit as good as the Bifrost. I just bought a Denafrips Pontus ll and it blows both other DAC’s out it the water. Is it the different tech, or is it that the Pontus ll costs more? Maybe, but they are all sound great and they all sound different.

JD

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,423 posts
 

Agree @curiousjim I just bought a Pontus II myself. It's by far the best digital I have heard in my system.

Oz

 

 

martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 

I think the best way to sum up this thread is ...  you can get a lot of DAC for very little $$$.  I do agree that at some point it becomes art - which is a good way to put it - and for that you spend.  And really, the cost to entry for a quality digital setup is vastly (IMO) lower than that of vinyl.       

david_ten
5,480 posts
 

Not true. The "cost of entry" for either approach (vinyl and digital) is actually quite reasonable.

The cost for achieving state of the art sound, however, is high for both (at this point in time).

 

And really, the cost to entry for a quality digital setup is vastly (IMO) lower than that of vinyl.  

 

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