Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?


Some members have expressed that the server / streaming front end is less important than the DAC.

I subscribe to the position that "Everything Matters"

As I consider front end choices, I'm trying to gauge if I should be leaning more heavily on a DAC versus a SOURCE (server / streamer).

Feedback and perspective from both camps, or any others, will be helpful. Thank you.

Please Note:  I'm not looking for validation of the position that "only the bits" matter... I accept that some believe this wholeheartedly... and that's okay by me. 
david_ten

Showing 1 response by tomic601

What a lovely thread David :-) what audiogon could and should be !

As a dark science devotee, and hard core math dude - most Economists are, I await a new law to replace diminishing returns...

but, while we wait, let’s listen to fantastic music !

yes, everything matters and not in equal weight, but innovation and improvements don’t necessarily flow to higher weighted components of what should be an engineered system. I agree, noise and signal quality are hyper important and frankly solutions are affordable- linear PSU and isolation of any switching supplies remaining on a dedicated circuit into a power conditioner with no analog devices on it is imo a must. Budget some $ for vibration management as well, I use HRS Nimbus and a Damper block on NAIM servers ( SSD and Spinning disc ) as well as isolators on Synology NAS. Teddy Pardo makes a variety of LPS.

David - I would be interested in your finding on listening to various DCS components... especially the Rossini.

finally I don’t think we can totally separate hardware and software innovation and a companies longevity of the firm and product upgrades over time. Clearly DCS, NAIM, etc ( many others ) have a track record. I value that my Aesthetix DAC is FPGA, somewhat future proof, hope Jim White engages with that future !!!!

fun
best to all

jim