New to audio. Is there a good DAC that can produce layers of sound?


One of the Youtube audio reviews I watch as a beginner in audio system is Darko

He says during the Chord Qutest review that this DAC can produce layers of sound which is great

I kinda understand what he says because from my very first audio setup, which I returned due to awful sound of music this week, I could still feel some layers, maybe 2, from Post Malone’s song Deja Vu. Only, there were 2 clear layer, from 16bit 44.1 kHz signals from Sonos Amp, one very far back near the speaker and one right next to my ear. I thought it was amazing though. The speaker was SVS ultra bookshelf.

Now those are all returned to the seller, and I am looking for something more clear, musical, and awesome. So, the Qutest is one of the DACs I want to try.

But, if there is any DAC you, as a more experience audiophiles, would like to recommend to me for having great sound effect, could you please list some names? with brief description of the sound?

The price range I am looking for is about $1.5K or less. I prefer less. Used items included.

I am on a journey to setup an enjoyable sound system for myself and would like to see what others like.

Thanks!

K
yggy1

Showing 2 responses by unfairlane

"It's ALL in the recording! You can't make a silk purse out of a ... "

This is off course a big part of the picture but still not all of it. Most of todays dac`s (and amps) sounds too "clean" or dry. This gives an impressive stereo-focus and a focus on "details" (= transient-starts) that might impress near-field listeners while the reverberation, the room-echoes and instrument-sound that makes 3D/stereo suffers. 

So you`re asking a good question  talkskiwon. And the smartest thing you can do is to ask experienced audiophiles. But be careful with who you listen too, it is too easy to be an expert on the internet.

What you are searching for is a dac who not only makes sound but plays music, with full bodied rythm and 3D, room or air intact.  One that will make you play the whole record instead of just listen to one song. 


A good start here is to buy the professional dac Behringer DEQ2496. Beside beeing a surpricingly good dac it can do a lot of stuff, like adjustable dynamic expansion, digital equalizer & room correction iuf you need so.
It has only balanced xlr audio out, so if you do not have a free xlr in, buy this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XLR-Female-XLR-Male-to-RCA-Female-Socket-Adapter-Gold-connector/163722639597?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=463226403992&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

A rather cheap dac this but good sounding. And you can then use it as a referance if you`re curious at other hifi-dacs later on, to compare. 



"  From personal experience: Behringer is CRAP. I went through 4 of them "

The first model suicided from overheating, recent model is improved and has upgraded analog in-/outputs as well but they can still not be totally trusted. 
My second now and I`ve got a four year guarantee for a few bucks extra. Playing from youtube right now with a 3db dynamic expansion added. 

The Audio Achemy predac is good enough but even a used one cost ten times the price of a DEQ2496.