The sound quality from DACs - is it all the same?


I've been talking to my cousin brother about sound quality. He is a self-proclaimed expert audiophile. He says that Audio Science Review has all of the answers I will need regarding audio products.

In particular, he says an inexpensive DAC from any Chinese company will do better than the expensive stuff. He says fancy audio gear is a waste of money because the data is already bit-perfect.  All DAC chips sound the same. Am I being mislead? 

He also said that any DAC over $400 is a waste of money. Convincing marketing is at play here, he says.

He currently owns a Topping L30 headphone amplifier and D30 Pro DAC. He uses Sennheiser HD 569 headphones to listen to music.  I'm not sure what to think of them. I will report my findings after listening one day! (likely soon, once I get some free time)

- Jack 

 

 

jackhifiguy

I wish that site would change it's name to something other than "science" because it isn't science, it is, at best, quality assurance.

I am not sure who makes that suggestion.  ASR is a forum that emphasizes the measurements much more so than any other forum including Audiogon.  The topics discussed in Audiogon are mostly in merchandizes, experiences using them with some forms of promotions behind from the dealers mingled in the community.  A suggestion from a member affiliated with a non-technical forum to change the name of a technical-oriented forum is a bit ridiculous.  It is kind of insult to the ASR host.  I suggest whomever makes that suggestion reflect on his credential first.

I wish that site would change it’s name to something other than "science" because it isn’t science, it is, at best, quality assurance.

I am not sure who makes that suggestion. ASR is a forum that emphasizes the measurements much more so than any other forum including Audiogon. The topics discussed in Audiogon are mostly in merchandizes, experiences using them with some forms of promotions behind from the dealers mingled in the community. A suggestion from a member affiliated with a non-technical forum to change the name of a technical-oriented forum is a bit ridiculous. It is kind of insult to the ASR host. I suggest whomever makes that suggestion reflect on his credential first.

 

I thought I did point out, be it almost obliquely, of the dangers of ’factualization’ of the world via linear minded thinking...

...and how this is a core component of the current levels of human stressing, in integration/interaction, and how it is being manipulated into forcing itself upon all others as an enforced reality. ’Truth’ as a sword. Nothing new in that one...

How we are all being led to believe, via radicalized enforcement in mental conditioning... that it somehow represent all facets of a given reality. The entirely normal levels of simplification that occur at individual limits, and in this case, in the mid levels of human intellectualism. Center of the bell curve ’mass action/reaction' aspects.

Normal is for Average. Commonality is not truth, it is simple commonality. Boxes are like walls for safety... but also exist to hold puppies and be in control.

Danger Will Robinson, Danger.

@teo_audio 

 

Thanks for "clearing that up"! I just knew that it was Edward Snowden's fault that my tube amplification sounds better but measures worse than a Topstard WE replica silicon SS amp that ASR will test shortly and proclaim it best.

@lalitk ,

OP is not here for learning. Check his other threads. He is learning from his "cousin brother" who is a self-proclaimed expert audiophile. And he says that fancy audiophile is no good compared to Chinese stuff.

There are these few posters on Audiogon who are actively pushing some agenda here. It is pretty clear from their posting and language. Nothing wrong with that. But don't preach what your "cousin brother" or ASR thinks. Use your senses and then come to senses 😃

Yes, it is now a proven scientific fact, all DACs are exactly the same.

Did this turn into open mike night at the Comedy Club?