The ranking system you're referring to isn't meant to explain listener preference, it shows DAC performance, your preferences are just that. Modern DACs for the most part come in 2 varieties, transparent, not transparent. If you prefer transparent then the SINAD list shows plenty of options. If you prefer not transparent then you're on your own. Since I prefer transparent the list is very helpful to me. All I need to do is find the options I want, connection type, includes headphone amp, etc.. there are dozens I can choose from since transparent doesn't discriminate as to what chips, filters, buffers, etc.. are used if it measures beyond human audibly. Find something else to argue audiophoolery about, maybe amplifiers.
Audio Science Review = Rebuttal and Further Thoughts
@crymeanaudioriver @amir_asr You are sitting there worrying if this or that other useless tweak like a cable makes a sonic difference.
I don’t worry about my equipment unless it fails. I never worry about tweaks or cables. The last time I had to choose a cable was after I purchased my first DAC and transport in 2019. I auditioned six and chose one, the Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria. Why would someone with as fulfilling a life as me worry about cables or tweaks and it is in YOUR mind that they are USELESS.
@prof "would it be safe to say you are not an electrical designer or electrical engineer? If so, under what authority do you make the following comment" - concerning creating a high end DAC out of a mediocre DAC.
Well, I have such a DAC, built by a manufacturer of equipment and cables for his and my use. It beat out a $9,000 COS Engineering D1v and $5,000 D2v by a longshot. It is comparable to an $23,000 Meridian Ultradac. Because I tried all the latter three in comparison I say this with some authority, the authority of a recording engineer (me), a manufacturer (friend) and many audiophiles who have heard the same and came to the same conclusion.
Another DAC with excellent design engineer and inferior execution is the Emotiva XDA-2. No new audio board but 7! audiophile quality regulators instead of the computer grade junk inside, similar high end power and filter caps, resistors, etc. to make this into a high end DAC on the very cheap ($400 new plus about the same in added parts).
@russ69 We must be neighbors. I frequented Woodland Hills Audio Center back in the 70s and 80s. I heard several of Arnie’s speakers including a the large Infinity speakers in a home.
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The reason you can find listener preference for speakers is because they actually have a large significance in what you hear along with the room. DACs on the other hand are commodities anymore, something engineers can design for bragging rights to get number chasing gurus with money to waste buy or create some novelty that distorts like crazy and see how many nincompoops buy them. |
@djones51 , I liked your post, DAC’s are commodities, if you have a link that shows there is no listener preferences among dacs great. The number chasing guru must be on a different website, maybe you can rescue the , uhhh, "ill informed" before they buy anything that is a waste. |
I have no idea if there are websites that show " controlled listening tests" for DAC preferences. I haven't bothered with worrying about a DAC for more than 5 years as SINAD and build quality tells me all I need to know. If SINAD is beyond human audibility, has balanced connections, asynchronous USB I'm good to go. I've owned active speakers where I didn't have the slightest idea what DAC was in them distortion of the speakers would swamp any DAC SINAD anyway. Same with passive speakers. DACs are solved problems and have been for over 20 years. |
That seems like a good compromise, check that all the basic measurements are ok and only then fine tune by ear. For the buyer it’s a case of case of checking the measurements first, then drawing up a shortlist which you can audition and make your selection by listening. For those of us that are sometimes forced into buying blind, YouTuber Andrew Robinson has produced a helpful 5 step guide.
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