How easily can you distinguish between different DACs?
When I read reviews or watch them on YouTube the reviewers talk about the vast differences between various DACs. I haven't compared too many, but found the differences pretty subtle, at best.
Which got me into thinking: Is my hearing ability really that bad?
Do you notice the differences as easily as folks make out?
True, looking at this as software. But ever subcomponents… resistor, capacitor, and turn on the circuit board… the distance between the power supply and all the other subcomponents, the resistance to vibration from the outside world makes a difference in the sound. So, any given chip set can sound very different given the circuitry and environment they are dropped into.
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+1, @ghdprentice on implementation. I’ve heard some of the perfectly measured DAC’s and they choke the life out of music. |
It is necessary to have the good audio gear to begin to hear differences in DACs easily. Common audio gear like Denon, Pioneer, etc do not have the resolution to bring out the differences that we can hear. If music is background then common audio gear is sufficient for enjoyment of music and most DACs produce decent enough sound. But if you are really into music and listen to music as a main activity (not doing anything else and focused on listening to music) then it is worth it to seek out better audio gear and better DACs. |
@mapman - the A/B test I did was not from two vanilla $500 streamers. The actual SOtM streamers were both SMS-200 neo SE ($1000) both connected to a Sean Jacobs DC3 dual-regulated PS ($2000). Both streamers connected to an SOtM sCLK-0CX10 ($4000) (it has 4 outputs) itself powered by a Farad Super3 PS ($700). So, if using $ as a measure of quality each streamer cost around $8000. This is a good piece of streaming kit. It should be capable of discerning differences between an expensive and cheap DAC, if they exist. |
Well this appears to be going well? Is the OP satisfied yet? Money Magnitude Margin Synergy PRAT Soundstage Timbre and tonality. Significance Value Judgement, mine or yours? Cost Logistical challenges Connectivity Implementation Design Materials Parts Components Room Nah there’s more Lots more, but hopefully, you get the idea.
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