Is a cheaper DAC + Reclocker better than just an expensive DAC?

@markkpa — sold the Gustard x26 Pro and kept a cheaper AliExpress DC500 (dual AKM4499EQ’s) because it sounded better.

How? How did it sound better?

One last thing - do not use any digital attenuation on your DAC!

What the hell are you talking about??? What is digital attenuation? You’re a complete freak.

Weiss 501 info perhaps addresses this. Synchronization An internal high precision / low jitter clock generator is responsible for clocking the D/A converter section. The sampling frequency of that generator is fixed at about 195kHz. The input signals are converted to the 195kHz sampling frequency for optimal signal quality. This scheme also helps significantly in reducing any jitter related effects. All standard sampling frequencies up to 384 kHz plus DSD x64 and x128 are supported.

+1 to better dac > reclocker+lesser dac, as a generality... but of course, specifics dictate the outcome

+1 also for weiss dac501/502... superb, high stratosphere of performance (and price of course)

SMSL VMV D2 + Gustard U18 DDC is a really, really nice combo.  The DDC will bring out more of the dacs essential character. In the VMV D2’s case using its I2S input along with the DDC’s better clocks is a pretty nice performance leap.  Same D2, just a much more spacious presentation, lots of air and detail, tons of spatial clues, good stuff using an intel nuc and Roon Roc upsampling to 768 or DSD  The VMV and the Gustard X26 are considered somewhat ‘equivalent but different’, so the ddc doesn’t change the essential character, just optimizes what is already there there.  Most dacs with an I2S input probably have a well considered design that benefit from its use, including the VMV D1 which like the more affordable Gustard all likely benefit from adding a DDC.  What they bring is pretty addictive…