Analyzing DACs

@larryaa55

A costlier DAC should, at least in theory, produce more accurate output. Specs like ultra-low THD are not very important when considering which DAC to buy. Like I said before, if you can’t hear it, it doesn’t matter. Tons of negative feedback in the circuit and other shortcomings...and many who have not heard a lot of audio gear before are quick to praise it...simply because it produces sound/ouput!!

Ranking by cost alone may not provide the results you want. It’s all about the design topology, quality and longevity ratings of internal parts, protocols, USB controllor specs, and of course the designers intent. Do you want a very detailed DAC? then go hunting for "accurate or resolving DACs" online. A lot of pro audio gear (such as steinburg interfaces, for example are more suited for recordeding and will not reach the same level of performance as a standalone DAC. Once again, cost savings. 

At any rate, software settings on programs such as jriver can alter the sound quality of a DAC in many different ways. If you’ve got a resolving DAC that sounds cold for example, you can easily fixate its tonal quality to be a bit warmer and easier on the ears. The details in the music will still be there...just less obvious or upfront.

I’ve read quite a few of @jasonbourne52 posts, and much of what he says is practical and makes sense.

@tee_dee

Also, from my experience with my current equipment, some tracks are mastered at high levels. I assume the double gain (eg from the DAC and the preamp) exacerbates the loudness. Some tracks sound like screaming vocals. I assume that won’t allow me allow to realize the full potential of the amplifier if I have to listen at low levels.

Right, these folks don’t match for LUFS!! Look this one up...

Other problems include excessive dithering, not converting a CD quality file to 32 bit by 96 KHz or higher, dynamic range compression, Equalization mistakes, etc.

And you’re absolutely right about that. Having to turn down the volume because of problems with loudless won’t allow you to experience full extent of the music.

Which tracks? I’d love to fix them.

I would say that the one advantage to following the ASR sheep is that the units recommended by ASR can be resold very quickly and without taking as much of a haircut in the process. 
 

That is a good observation.

Charles

There’s a lot to be said about separate components if you have the space. The two biggest issues are noise isolation and separate power supply’s. That’s where you get performance. 

Interesting to me, how these discussions become so incredibly polarizing. Isn’t it true that there are many variables to consider here? A good sounding dac is a good sounding dac. A dac that measures well does not guarantee that its output stage will be particularly pleasing. But it is possible that a dac that measures well can also be a great good sounding dac. It is possible for a poorly measuring dac to still sound unique and wonderful. So much of this is subject to personal trial and error. However objectivist we’d like to be, two individuals with the exact same equipment will find differences in their setups for reasons that extend beyond their equipment.

Circuitry and the arrangement of internal components, board designs, filter caps (or lack there of), chips, or discrete circuits, wiring (and the amount of it), etc etc etc. all render different results. Question is, how do we listen? What are we finding or looking for when we do?

Not a guarantee, and there are some price conscious outlier/somewhat giant killer components out there…but I have found that quality components paired with good design = good sound. But I suppose even that’s too subjective.

@tee_dee 

When you use the DAC as a digital volume control directly into an amp the DAC is lowering the bit depth and therefore taking resolution out of the bit stream.

If you want  less boxes then go with an integrated amp, I'm thinking you would very much like to have the volume control in the analog world.

Go forth and listen, then listen some more and then even more.  Talk is cheap. Trust you ears. They won't lie to you.

Regards,

barts