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Differences between models of expensive vs inexpensive DACs

For those who have tried many different DACs from very inexpensive to very expensive, do you find that the lower end DACs all sound similar in the same less than optimal way, or is it that the more expensive DACs all sound more similar in the correct way? In other words, are the better DACs starting to converge on the same good sound, or are they actually diverging more in their sonic presentation?  In recent times I've only worked with relatively inexpensive DACs and those all sound the same to me. 

asctim
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,712 posts
 

i want to correct my sentence in the post above read it replacing over by under :

But now i cannot put Indian music under Bach anymore

danager's avatar
danager
880 posts
 

My journey with DACs has taken more than several years now and each step was an improvement in sound quality.

From Bluetooth into a inexpensive amp
Raspberry PI with a Allo Piano DAC and reclocker board
MHDT Orchid with multiple input devices

  • Chromecast Audio
  • Allo DigiOne
  • Dedicated computer USB 

and then tube rolling with the Orchid with the final being a 6922 NOS tube with adapter

I just purchased a PSAudio DirectStream DAC that I'm currently driving with the same USB input that I used for the Orchid.  I no longer believe that the DAC is the bottle neck in my system and I'm ready to look to upgrade other components to equal the DAC's capability.

krelldog
310 posts
 

I upgraded from a Schiit Yiggy to a PS Audio Directstream.

The Yiggy was an excellent DAC, however the Direcstream is significantly better.

In all fairness the Yiggy is 2300.00- The Directstream is 6000.00

I was actually stunned how much better the Directstream is.

willgolf
933 posts
 

I have had a Lumin U-1 mini, D2, A1, and X1.   I can tell you each of these DAC's was a definite step up, especially the X1.  The D2 was so average sounding compared to the X-1.  The level of detail for each DAC was easily heard.


I then decided to go to an all-tube system and now have a Lampizator Pacific.  To be honest there was not a major step on in SQ between the Pacific and the X-1.  However, once I added a Lucas Audio Music Server, the SQ jumped 3-fold.  The advantage of the Pacific is that you can tube roll to change the sound.  That is a major benefit.  I have already ordered the Lampi Horizon and I have done A/B comparisons of the Pacific and Horizon.  Again, the level of detail is just accentuated.  

So IMO there is a major difference in the sound of DAC's as you go up the ladder.  

 

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