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.
no_regrets Using the Jay's Audio CD transport as the example, here is the preferred order of connections (IMO). In each case the clock from the Jay's will be used, it's just how the clock is received (separate or imbedded, see my previous post): (1) I2S if your DAC has that connection (2) AES/EBU if your DAC has that connection (3) SPDIF (either RCA, coax, or optical....whichever your DAC has) The outlier is USB. Some streamers and or DACs (usually higher end gear) are optimized for USB, over other connections. |
@vthokie83 Thank you for helping me understand. I've been a vinyl guy for 50 years and am just now trying to add a nice digital source to my system. Best wishes, Don |
All of that said, there is no substitution for your ears. In almost all of my tests with different gear (many DACs, DDCs, CD transports, and streamers), I have preferred the I2S connection almost every time (if the units have that I2S connection). On units that did not have I2S, I mostly preferred the AES/EBU connection.....that's my ears in my system, or in systems I know well. One more point that should be noted, is that AES/EBU are digital cables (XLR connector type) that are 110 ohm cables, and NOT the standard 75 ohm cables like XLR analog interconnects |
