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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
mitch2 OP
3,967 posts
 

@sns 

"Now, I would add, perhaps this exact presentation may not be everyone's cup of tea"

That is really the thing.  In the old days, before PETA and SPCA (with which I volunteer), we used to say, "there is more than one way to skin a cat".

The point is, none of these DACs presents the same sound, at least in my room.  However they will each have their proponents and detractors.   

I have moved my comparison listening on to the Merason DAC1 MkII and, as sort of a preview, I had really hoped it was going to be something special.  When I first hooked it up my impression was, "really, this is the DAC that is winning awards?"  However, after completing my time with the LTA Aero and Benchmark DAC3 and removing those from my system, I have really spent some time listening to the Merason and I also reinstalled the Mystique X NCZ so I could compare them.  There is a reason some manufacturers say a product needs to burn in, and it may have less to do with the components "burning in" and more to do with the listener becoming acclimated with something new.  A shorter way to say this is that the Merason is a really nice sounding DAC, but it does sound a bit different from the other DACs here.  I suspect what I am hearing may be the difference between really good R-2R DACs and a DAC with a really good delta-sigma type sound.  However, I haven't had a delta-sigma DAC here since the Ayre QB-9 DSD years ago, and the Merason sounds way better than my recollection of the Ayre.  Also, I am not sure it is correct to call the Merason a (fully) delta-sigma DAC since, the PCM1794A chip is considered a hybrid.  I have been looking into what this means and found this:

"Segmented PCM1794 is described as having 'true' multibit DAC for the most significant bits, while a multi-level delta sigma modulator for lower bits. AKM/Sabre/etc DACs seem to be described as using multi-level delta sigma modulator for entire conversion."

mitch2 OP
3,967 posts
 

@sns - Regarding the Musetec MH-DA006, I like the appearance and there are design aspects of that DAC that look very interesting.  Also, I could input I2S out of the Singxer DDC. 

I do keep hearing how the $4K'ish price range is getting jam-packed with good sounding digital.  Adding a Musetec MH-DA006 would certainly be interesting at the $4K price point since I believe I plan to add a Mojo Audio Mystique Y to the comparisons, which is also $4K (although Benjamin at Mojo Audio sold one of his demos and needs to fill orders before I can get one).  However, I am not going to buy any more DACs for awhile, and I probably wouldn't buy a DAC at the $4K price point, but if there were another way to get my hands on a Musetec for an audition (somewhere between two weeks and a month), I would certainly consider it.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,687 posts
 

@mitch2 

Thanks again for doing this.  As I have said, I am just starting my search another DAC,  so your timing is quite good and speaking of quite good, so is your test list!

no_regrets
525 posts
 

@sns Just a thought….

Seeing as how you would really like to have his opinion on how it sounds directly compared with the others in his collection of dacs, maybe you would consider sending your to him so that he could conduct the review for you 👍

Just a thought. 

Best wishes,

Don

alexberger
904 posts
 

Hi @facten

I’m not @classicrockfan but I have a similar experience.

I had in my system Chord Qutest for many years. This May I bought an SMSL DO300EX built on the AKM 4499 chip. This DAC looks like a toy relatively to Hi End DAC but it sounds better in every way than Chord Qutest that cost 3 times more.SMSL noticeably more resolving, play sophisticated music, less congestion and sounds much less clinical and "digital". It also has 6 DSP filter modes. One of them "super slow" is actually NOS (not oversampling) mode like in some 2R2 DACs. The "super slow" mode is my favorite in this DAC. It sounds most analogue and natural without digital glare.
I asked myself a question "how can it happen?".

Look at this: https://www.power-and-beyond.com/pcb-manufacturing-these-are-the-biggest-players-a-c38499760ae9053b34d796adf3d0746f/

Where is most PCB manufacturing today?

SMSL is a mass market producer. It uses the latest PCB and switching power supply technologies that China has today. The same technologies used for high speed communication. Western audiophile garage companies can’t compete with SMSL in PCB design. OK, they can use better quality capacitors and other parts, heavy aluminium chassis. But all this increases the final cost of the product and in result you pay in number times more.

Why western DAC built on the same AKM4499 chip with solid state output buffer have an order of magnitude worse distortions? Do these distortions make sound better?

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