Does a DAC need a large/strong power supply?

@avanti1960

The analog amplification circuitry is typically very minimal in inexpensive DACs. This is where the opportunity is to greatly improve the sound quality. The best DACs and CD players for example pay much more attention to the analog amplification section circuitry. This is where the large power supply enters the picture (the best use low noise r-core transformers, e.g. Luxman) in addition to filtering and storage capacitor banks. Look under the hood !

Spot on! Factual and well stated. High quality power supply and analog sections are critical and what separates the wheat from the chaff with regard to the sound quality of the DAC.

This in my opinion is very obvious if one were to actually listen and compare. Despite their impressive test bench measurements, the inexpensive DACs just don’t offer the same high quality of sound. Corners are being cut to maintain the cheaper price point. A price is paid for the significant compromise.Again, just listen.

Charles

Large and strong cannot explain things well when the output voltage is 1V and the impedance requires <~1mA.

That is <~ 1mW, so it must be something other than large/strong. I can abide better filtering, but that can be done pretty cheaply… 

There are few places for the energy in a large storage bank of capacitors where the energy can go in order to drain out.

My point of emphasis is not so much the “large” as it is the “quality “ and strength of the power supply. Yet, if there are those who feel that cheap and less robust power supplies are all that’s necessary, no problem. To each their own.

Charles

The ones with wall warts can also have decent filtering built into them internally after the DC comes in.

I think it is easy to put the whole enchilada into a big and heavy box and it gives the impression of quality. But how do we know that it’s better, and not just ‘feel’ like it is better?

It would be great if we knew how to do that.

But how do we know that it’s better, and not just ‘feel’ like it is better?

It would be great if we knew how to

This is why I am an advocate of listening. My Pro-Ject RS2T CD transport comes with a SMPS wall wart. I have to say well implemented due to the very high quality of sound. Yet, when I replaced the SMPS with a Fidelizer Nikola II LPS there was an undeniable improvement in the sound quality. So a transition from very good to superb.

Charles