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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
soix
9,456 posts
 

Great info. As a former reviewer I’d make two observations FWIW:

  1. We as humans are inherently awful at judging a piece of equipment on its own, which is why I regard reviews that don’t include comparisons to anything else (looking at you TAS) as next to useless and likely inaccurate or at least potentially misleading.
  2. We are likewise awful at trying to compare more than two variables at once, and IME this is especially true with audio equipment.

So the takeaways would be that you doing these comparisons is hugely useful for relative perspective and why so many here are so eagerly awaiting your thoughts/impressions, and take the time to compare each DAC directly to the other because trying to infer firm conclusions from indirect comparisons could easily lead to erroneous findings (been there, done that). Again, FWIW.

audiomirror
12 posts
 

Hello everyone, 

I would like to chime in as audiophile and manufacturer. I've been audiophile for over 40 yrs. I started building audio equipment in 1984. Everything I build, I build it for myself first. If I like it(if passes my taste - listening test), it becomes a product I sell. So

I would like to give my two cents. DAC chips make difference. Output section and power supply too. Parts quality also. If I have to define which one does what:

DAC chip - tonality, musicality and 20-25% of the sound

Output section - clarity, resolution, soundstage, dynamics, coloration and 40-50% of the sound

Power supply(mostly on the digital part) and parts quality - transparency, resolution, liquid and easy flowing sound, less harshness and 20-30% of the sound.

I would love to have you guys audition and  evaluate my Audio Mirror - Tubadour V DAC.

Vlad

 

norust
67 posts
 

@mitch2 - No easing into retirement for you my friend!  You have Benjamin and now Vlad at Audio Mirror wanting you to review their latest.  I predict that Lukasz at Lampizator will be posting shortly with his thoughts & requests angel

At this rate you may be tuning into a part time/full time DAC reviewer.  Net is that this is positive news for those of us interested in the thoughts of a knowledgable common sense audiophile relating to a few select DAC's of YOUR choosing! 

wig's avatar
wig
1,258 posts
 

Yes, the Merason Dac1 is a wonderful sounding Dac and took a good friends advice as he said it's overall sound signature was spot on with his top of the line Mojo Dac at half the price...

I had my MKI updated to MKII and it exceeded the SQ of my wonderful SW1X III+ DHT Tube Dac; the Merason just captured more ambiance, spatial cues and space...

Wig

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
177 posts
 

I’m really looking forward to Mitch’s observations. 
 

@mitch2 - Would you consider adding the Audio Mirror Tubadour DAC to your review if Vlad was willing to send it to you? 

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