IMHO there are likely 10 other things in your system that need far more attention. I have heard DACs with intentional sound differences using tubes, and I have heard DACs that allow you to change the filter settings that causes an apparently audible difference which you may or may not like. Technically most of the setting are "worse", but if they float your boat why not. I have also compared expensive DACs (Mola Mola, DCS) with friends and could not tell the difference from "mid-priced" DACs. I thought maybe just maybe there would be, but there was not. It is really easy to convince yourself there is a difference, but when they did the switching and I did not know which was which, it was all the same. I was startled by how close you needed to have the volume settings though.
DAC diminishing returns
Looking for some experienced input on the diminishing return as you go up the the DAC ladder. I mostly stream music and occasionally listen to CDs. Currently, I’m using a Schiit Bifrost Multibit DAC. It’s connected to my Naim Nait 5Si and that drives Zu Omen ii speakers. In my limited experience, I have not heard any substantial differences when changing DACs. I’m considering a Denafrips Pontus DAC. Does the significantly higher cost justify what might be a marginal increase in sound quality? Is buying a more expensive DAC for better sound just splitting hairs, and making you feel better about your system? Are different DACs just different coloration of the sound?
I don’t want to be duped into buying something I don’t really need. Thanks.
Showing 4 responses by deludedaudiophile
I don't know ghdprentice, I had my audiophile epiphany after I got rid of the "big buck" esoteric stuff and started taking the time to really learn what was required for good sound, and paying someone who knew their stuff to get me there. It took big bucks, but the big bucks was concentrated in a few areas. |
@firstgrowth , the 502 looks like a cool toy. I mean that in a good sense. Do you personally set and forget it or change the settings to match the music? |
@sns If you are building a minimalist system, built in volume control on a DAC\Streamer could be a huge cost savings. Then you have something like the Weiss 502 DAC mentioned above. Initially the price seems quite high, and I would say purely for the bare DAC electronics it is. However, when you include all the software features (if you use them), it seems reasonable for what is likely a relatively low volume product. |