2. digital
  3. 187947-21

Good measuring DACs vs.

I recently owned and compared a number of DACs in my system and was particularly interested in the sound of two "perfect measuring" DACs, the Mola Mola Tambaqui and the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. With either of those, it seemed every note came out clearly, cleanly, and accurately, without a hint of distortion. Both have been reviewed by Stereophile, and John Atkinson concluded his review measurements with,

"The Mola Mola Tambaqui offers state-of-the-digital-art measured performance. I am not surprised HR liked its sound."

and,

"Benchmark’s DAC3 HGC offers state-of-the-art measured performance. All I can say is "Wow!"

So, why is it that neither of these two objectively perfect DACs seem to emotionally engage me to the same level as my Mojo Audio Mystique EVO Pro, which is an R2R design using (basically antique) AD1862 "Z" chips? How can I not perceive the same levels of body, tone, or dimensionality from two DACs which exhibit "state-of-the-digital-art measured performance" and that really do nothing wrong?

mitch2

Showing 1 response by mattw73

mattw73
54 posts
 

Because it's all subjective. I'm sure that as many people that love the Mola Mola & Benchmark there are equal amount of people (or more) that don't care for it. Doesn't make either person right or wrong. 

You could almost drop it into 2 different classes of people. It would be oversimplifying it but we have those that like the utmost transparency and others that prefer the sound of a little distortion. Not noise generated by power supplies or internals but distortion in the form of harmonics..which a little bit of certain order harmonics don't sound like distortion in the way many might think. Still distortion though. 

I do feel that this is where measurements can be useful. Actually I'm of the belief that all data and measurements are useful.. it also keeps manufacturers honest or helps us know which one's make BS claims. Trust your ears as they say, but also don't discredit measurements and data..they can tell you a lot about a product. You don't have to be of the mindset that perfect measurements mean perfect sound. Well to some people it does but it's all subjective at that point, so whatever. 

Personally I like a dac with upwards of 20bits of dynamic range or "state-of-the-art measured performance". Clean and transparent. I can add some flavor or distortion somewhere else down the signal line. 

More to discover