2. digital
  3. 172704-1665

Next best exponential DAC quality level?

I recently did a shoot out of three DACs using my Hint6 + routing each of the other DACs to analog input on the Hint6:

(1) Hint6: ESS Sabre32 -- Integrated 

(2) SMSL M500: ES9038PRO D/A   ~$400 

(3) Khadas ToneBoard(v1): ESS ES9038Q2M - ~$99

I played the same song passages on Amazon Music and was able to cycle through each Hint6 input corresponding to each DAC.

The result?  Very small difference in terms of rendering.  Maybe a more open sound stage with better overall balance using the Hint6 DAC.  The Khadas was more bass / midrange pronounced w/ a more narrow soundstage.  However, I wouldn't suggest that any were head-and-shoulders "better" over the others.  In fact, they were all pretty decent with only small nuances (certainly not worth the price differences.   

I decided to keep the Khadas for my small headphone listening area. 

But it got me thinking - how much would one have to spend to realize an exponential difference in quality?  Is the Khadas that good, or is DAC technology differences more nuanced than I originally thought (meaning, we're paying 10x for only 5% better).  

 

martinman

Showing 2 responses by redlenses03

redlenses03
101 posts
 

This forum could benefit from an ignore button.  If nothing else, it would give those who cannot keep from feeding the self-inflated profiles an option and are unable to just keep scrolling.  Its really very simple.

The one way streets never change.  Its a fruitless endeavor

redlenses03
101 posts
 

The TESLA 3 with Dual Motor's, which is about $55,000 does a 0-60 in about 3.1 seconds, which is better than almost every Ferrari ever made except the most recent 488 at > $250,000 and some previous ultra expensive models.

 

Electric vs petrel? Apples to apples, ummmm not so much. If I had a choice between those two, it wouldn’t be the boring, sterile, zero feeling, zero feedback one.

There is a reason this is the case for many. If you don’t understand that analogy/reasoning, that’s fine and is your personal preference.

The irony here is that you are doing the same thing (with a vengeance) to others that disagree with you. There is so much more then a spec sheet and measurements. Those are most certainly important, but its not the end all, not even close.

It really is a preference thing and in this hobby it’s ultimately about SQ and how well that SQ moves you on an emotional level. You either understand that point of view or you don’t, since for most in this hobby that is what it’s all about. If that aspect isn’t important or not what you’re after, that’s totally fine. Reaching that elusive emotional aspect with either the best measured or not best measure component isn’t the goal.

More to discover