Is the DAC the digital equivalent of a cartridge.

file/silver disc = vinyl----media

transport/streamer = cartridge----reading + tiny signal

dac = phono stage---converting + boost + analog output

a dac is absolutely not like a cartridge. a cartridge reads media, like a transport or server, a phono stage then interprets and amplifies, exactly like a dac.

you don’t hook your cartridge directly to your preamp, and your server and transport are not hooked directly to your preamp either.

hello?

Sorry, the phono stage does not decode anything

wrong. ever heard of the RIAA equalization curve? what do you suppose it does?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

some phono stages have multiple output curves besides RIAA for optimizing various early pressings. but your records would sound like crap without any output ’decoding’ circuit. lp groove cutting realities and playback technology realities require this equalization to work.

there’s no boosting or amplifying in a standalone DAC

wrong again. the only way a dac does not have an analog output stage to amplify the dac output is if the dac chips develop enough voltage on their own (very rare) or the dac is feeding an amp inside an active speaker system (very rare). dac chips rarely develop sufficient voltage to raise the signal to line level to feed the preamp. that is what the analog output stage circuit inside the dac does.

maybe the dac in your phone might develop enough gain to power your ear buds, as everything is miniaturized. but likely it has an output stage of some sort too. but it’s a special case.