Six DAC Comparison


I am in the middle of comparing the sound of six different DACs in my system. I own them all (I know weird) but one of them is still within a trial/return timeframe.

Not to share specific comparisons today, but a couple of observations so far are that first, they all definitely sound different from each other. On one hand, they all sound pretty good and play what is fed to them without significant flaws but on the other hand there are definite sonic differences that make it easy to understand how a person might like the sound of some of them while not liking others.

Second, raises the observation that most of them must be doing something to shape the sound in the manner the designer intended since one of the DACs, a Benchmark DAC3 HGA, was described by John Atkinson of Stereophile as providing "state-of-the-art measured performance." In the review, JA closed the measurements section by writing, "All I can say is "Wow!" I have also owned the Tambaqui (not in my current comparison), which also measured well ("The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance." - JA). The Benchmark reminds me sonically of the Tambaqui, both of which are excellent sounding DACs.

My point is that if the Benchmark is providing "state-of-the-art measured performance," then one could reasonably presume that the other five DACs, which sound different from the Benchmark, do not share similar ’state-of-the-art" measurements and are doing something to subtly or not so subtly alter the sound. Whether a person likes what they hear is a different issue.

mitch2

@ghdprentice "part choices are made on just choosing appropriate parts or on cost not sound". I guess youve never actually done a value-based design before. Component decisions are made based on value - optimizing the design within the budget. Cost is a consideration, but only in the context of the entire project budget. Will a modest DAC chip surrounded by premium resistors and capacitors sound better than a premier DAC and more modest supporting componentry?  Is an advanced filter algorithm in the budget? Can it be used as market differentiator? How much can be allocated to casework? Do you want it to look like a d'Agostino baroque steam punk device or the much more mundane (and cleaner and quieter) Topping Pre 90 for less than 1% of the cost? Cost is not value and vice versa.

 

@helomech 

These days there exist $200 “Chi-Fi” DACs that objectively outperform the DAC3. 

says who? And what specific DACs are you referring to?
Sounds like ASR propaganda…

@kijanki I totally agree with your comment. 

BTW - you should have a listen to the new SimAudio 761 amp. I love the AHB2, and I think the 761 is what the hypothetical next version of the AHB2 should sound like.

@helomech I did not find the top end Topping DAC (forgot the model) sounded better than the DAC3B. I had both at the same time and was using them with my uber revealing RAAL SR1a earphones. Both DACs were not ideal with this phone, but DAC3B was the lesser of 2 bad matches.

@yyzsantabarbara   Thank you for suggestion - especially important to me, since you know AHB2 and HPS-938