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Why do I always like a source with Burr Brown DAC?

I have always been pretty finicky about picking up the source component. Like most audiophiles I ask for everything from detail, dynamics, transparency, PRAT etc..but most importantly I look for accurate tonality. It is pretty surprising that while many CD players try to sound like analog and many others try to sound nice and romantic....basically there are many CDPs designed and aimed to sound nice to the ears, however most of them try to achieve it by trying to sound rich, sometimes rolled off, sometimes too warm etc. Very few retain the tonality intact and almost every time I notice them instantly and develop a liking for them pretty soon. Interestingly almost every time I have liked a source for its accurate tonality it has turned out that it contains one or the other version of Burr Brown DACs. I dont know what they do but somehow they always sound "right" tonally. I know a DAC contains many other stages which can affect the sound but as a non-techie all I can do is relate to this as a pattern.

I would like to know from you guys, if any of you have any opinion on Burr Brown DACs Vs other DACs ?

There is also this debate on Multibit Vs Delta-Sigma DACs which I would like to understand.
pani
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Pani,

Yes, AD1865 is also R2R/Multibit. I've heard some nice sounding designs with it.

I would actually agree that some of the newer BB/TI DACs sound nice. My favorite is PCM1796A. There are other BB DACs with better specs but I am not impressed, sorry to say. The new PCM1795 with 32 bit DF is also nice.

I am a big AKM fan. Their latest AK4399 is my current reference.

Best,
Alex Peychev
clio09
3,360 posts
 
I've come to enjoy the PCM-1704. I have a Resolution Audio Opus 21 and Lessloss DAC 2004 MkII that use this chip. I've also enjoyed the TDA-1541 and 1543 chips and have a Silicon Arts Design DAC that uses the TDA architecture. All these units produce a very natural sound to my ears and enough detail to satisfy my listening needs.
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Sgr and Pani, The receiver chip is a CS8414 connected via i2S tp a non oversampled unfiltered DAC Analog Devices AD 1865.

That chip arrangement is ubiquitous to all Audio Note DACs. The big difference in my DAC lies in my diode choice. Four diodes are fitted to the digital supply board. I replaced these with wickedly faster recovering diodes. This makes an emphatic difference in the resulting sound.

Hope that helps.
aplhifi
515 posts
 
I've come to enjoy the PCM-1704. I have a Resolution Audio Opus 21 and Lessloss DAC 2004 MkII that use this chip.

Yes, I've heard these products, including Opus 21 modified by a respected company. Both Lessloss and Opus 21 sound quite nice at their price-points. Unfortunately, I still hear the effect in the midrange and upper octaves I mentioned in my previous post.

Furthermore, I am very happy that Esoteric moved away from PCM1704 and now uses AKM (AK4399) in their latest reference players.

I do not hear the same problem with TDA1541.

Best,
Alex Peychev
gfcf424892
77 posts
 
All of the CD players I've bought over the years all include BB Dacs. They all sound good but I have nothing to compare to. But I think the output stage is what matters most, as long as you have a good quality chip...regardless of manufacturer.
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