2. digital
  3. 131878-4358

Benefits of an external DAC

I need a sounding board from you folks.  I have a slightly upgraded Oppo 103 CD player that was a big SQ improvement over my Consonance tube CD player.  I need a DAC to take the stream from my iMac, turn into an analogue signal to my preamp.  Lots of folks rave about the benefits of an external DAC so, in progression, I got a Jolida tube DAC, a Schiit Gungnir, and a Channel Island Audio DAC.  I connect the Oppo to the CIA DAC with a coaxial cable.  I input the analogue signal from the Oppo into my preamp with RCA IC's.    

It is easy to switch between DAC in the path vs. the Oppo analogue signal straight into the preamp.  I tell ya, I have done the comparison between all three DAC's vs. the analogue signal run from the Oppo to the preamp and have been unable to discern any difference.   Zero, zip, nada.  I have done the comparison with lots of audio pals and nobody hears a wits worth of difference.

There clearly are lots of devotees using external DAC, but in my system (with a Don Sachs tube preamp, Pass Labs First Watt F5, and Spatial Audio M4 Turbo S speakers, with good cabling), I am perplexed as to why the use of an external DAC makes no difference in the SQ in my system. It sounds exactly the same.  

I am awaiting a demo of a Denafrips Ares DAC to see if this well-regarded DAC does something to the SQ -- one way or another.  So far, the employment of a DAC to improve the SQ of the signal from my Oppo has been an utter waste of time.  What am I missing?
whitestix

Showing 4 responses by bigkidz

bigkidz
3,435 posts
 
If you don't hear a difference then be happy.  Chips have sound characteristics but it comes down to implementation such as the power supply, etc. already mentioned above.  My friend recently compared two R2R Dacs, one tube DAC $7500 and one SS DAC $2500.  The higher priced tube dac has a 30 lb power supply with top quality caps and resistors, chokes, copper chassis, etc.  While the SS R2R was nice sounding, it could not reproduce what the tube DAC did in his system.  I don't remember his exact words  but the tube dac had a bigger soundstage, tone was better, details and layering was better, definition was better and it was quieter, etc., etc.  Worth the extra money?  That is up to what you want your system to sound like. For a casual listener maybe not, to a person who really values those attributes, probably. 

He also tried the DACs direct into his amp and using a SS preamp.  Without the preamp the details were amazing BUT with the preamp the soundstage was much larger.  Again preferences.  

So it really comes down to what you are hearing and how the DAC is designed.  If you don't hear a difference than try something else or just be happy.

Happy Listening.

bigkidz
3,435 posts
 
what digital cables is everyone using?  I have had great success with the Moray James cable.

bigkidz
3,435 posts
 
Whitestix - Let me know if you really hear a difference.  That DAC is a chip R2R and imo you should hear a difference in the mids mostly.  Lots of caps in there for the PS but nothing really new or innovative. The CIA is a basic dac that seems to use filtering for noise, not much info on the unit.  I would imagine that it has a smooth sound for digital but nothing special for the price.  Let us know what you are hearing please.
bigkidz
3,435 posts
 
who makes the BNC-BNC Cable?  I looked at your website but I don't see anything for $275.


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