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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
4,007 posts
 

@brbrock - I both stream and play local music files.  My digital front end is outlined on my virtual system page and essentially consists of playing either files recorded in FLAC and stored on a SSD inside of my sonicTransporter i9 (Gen 4) server, or music streamed from Tidal or Qobuz over Roon, with the i9 serving as Roon Core and a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe Optical as a streamer and Roon Ready player. 

Streamed music and and files played from my local library sound so close to each other that I have not spent time trying to discern whether I can actually and consistently hear a difference.   

Mojo Audio DACs are PCM based and as mentioned on their website, 

"Our Mystique X digital-to-analog converter converts PCM format files up to 24-bit 192KHz via Femto clocked USB, coaxial S/PDIF, or balanced AES."

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,179 posts
 

Why don’t many  these dacs put in inputs like I2S which are the current best when implemented correctly , even 75ohm inputs MIA , for many of us use DDC-Reclockers to further clean the incoming signal  far better then what comes out of a computer or streamer, using Oven clocks and massive filtering with  galvanic isolation which I2S is their favorite medium ,even Good Transports are now using I2S Aqua mojo, LSA Lampi. They leave it out which puts off lots of potential buyers.

stuartk
2,890 posts
 

@mitch2 

OK. Thanks for your response. Not ready to buy yet, but from what I've read so far, the Mojo sound is one that definitely seems worth checking out. 

mitch2 OP
4,007 posts
 

@stuartk 

See below from Mojo Audio's website.  You can/should read the whole policy here.

45-day no-risk audition:

Any product manufactured by and sold by Mojo Audio comes with a 45-day no-risk audition. It does not matter if the item is sold as new, used, demo, factory reconditioned, or prototype.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,179 posts
 

Depending on your budget 

I sell my self Denafrips products ,I hear a lot of equipment to the many audio get togethers I have gone to over the past 2 years , in the $3k range the Pontus Gen 15 is not a  bias it is far better built then anything in the $3k price class but $1k less 

it’s the Ex Venus 12  ,   The T+Aw200 dac is very good with a lot of tuning possibilities , as good or better then the New Denafrips Terminator 15,

or Holo May KTE dac  the Mojo. Sounds good $7k on up has at least some inputs , I2S inputs should be standard ,many people have nice digital transports like Esoteric, Jays Audio which allows you to play SACDs k and many people use a DDC I2S is the best soundin digital input currently, even the LTA aero which I think sounds nice with the 2 tubes missed the mark , even they agree ,the next modification will have I2S .  DDC to clean the incoming signal from their computer or streamer  with absolutely make a improvement , look at the Chord Dave pretty $$ expensive to most then has a ad on reclocker  that is what makes it special combined together. That’s my opinion and many others , PS audio set the standard on the pin out that most cable makers are now using for I2S .

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