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No such thing as a future proof DAC...

I've been fooled in the past by digital gear manufacturers claiming their DAC or digital gear is future proof. Case in point was the Cambridge Audio CD2 player back in the 1980s that had replaceable boards for the DAC chip. Great CDP at the time but never was really upgradeable. Now, I keep on hearing about new DACs that are future proof (eg, BiFrost DAC). The only DAC that I know that has a long history for being upgradeable is may be the MSB DACs, but they can cost an arm and a leg. May be dCs, but again mucho expensive. Do you believe in the hype? Doesn't seem to be in the manufacturers interest to offer a truly upgradeable digital gear when a new version can be offered after a year that requires you to buy a new unit.
dracule1

Showing 2 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Here is maybe a non-typical scenerio: I have upgraded my USB converter for 3 generations and my DAC for 3 generations. Upgrades can use modules for clocks, computer interfaces and voltage regulators. The problem is that inevitably everyone wants something that affects the baseboard eventually and then the older versions cannot be upgraded. Its the users demanding new technologies that usually drives this. If one built a really simple motherboard with virtually nothing on it, then maybe it could last 4 generations. However, this would cost more due to more modules and high-performance connectors.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"most newer DACs seem to miss the mark when it comes to naturalness of timbre, pace and rhythm, and smoother sound compared to the older ladder DAC chips and some NOS designs."

Absolutely agree. Its due to the digital filtering. If one could use a modern D/A converter, but eliminate the digital filtering, you would have the best of both worlds: resolution and smoothness. Its possible.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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