The sound quality from DACs - is it all the same?

When I read these threads they make me laugh! Not only do DACs make a significant difference in the audio chain - digital transports do too.

In fact cheap out on your digital front end then don't bother auditioning amps and speakers - you just ain't going to get the best out of them. I would go as far as saying with confidence that the importance of system building is working from the top down!

Mahgister - I know you have the very good SPS DAC 3 - I also own that DAC but the Audio Note 0.1x is so so much better - I think if you are going to work your magic then work on AN's affordable DAC, it's light years better than the already good SPS. Just try it and see!

DACs do sound different (I know I am biting here but there you go ...) - go compare a Topping with a Metrum Octave for example - I don't know if the Topping measures better within the measuring parameters/confines of ASR - but the Metrum just walks all over it musically.

Here at home we ran blind listening tests (involving my wife and son) - level matched (according to the iPhone) - same cables etc - and heck - 100% of the time we knew which DAC was which. We didn't need to perform this test because it was so darn obvious from the outset with our eyes wide open - but thought on one rainy day - what the heck - let's see what these hecklers on ASR are on about.

So yes - please let your ears decide.

I have this pet theory that many use ASR as a comfort blanket supporting their choice of cheap DAC being as superior as more expensive alternatives because they don't have the funds or will just find and excuse not to spend - then gang up and regurgitate it to the rest of the World.

There are bargains to be had - but it's not via cut and dry measurements as reference.

No problem Mahgister - I too remain open minded with regards some low cost items sounding very good in the right environment (hence why I purchased the SPS DAC3 but now finding that inadequate once you have listened to something like the AN 0.1x).

For example - go in the search for the rather plasticky looking very much under the radar Grundig V1700 and with the right speakers that amp is excellent beyond what you would have thought capable.

For example I connected an expensive dCS Network Bridge to the Audio Note 0.1x then for fun into a Grundig V1700 - the Grundig did not sound like a bottleneck!

It's another cheap option that you can play with perhaps.

Oh no I didn't say the Grundig would be better than your Sansui - I was just lending another example of a low cost looking amp that can sound excellent.

But I will say with confidence that the AN DAC is so much better than the SPS DAC in every respect not just in detail alone but from top to bottom in everything that it does.

You don't have to strain your hearing to hear this huge jump in performance.

if you do get a chance to listen to one in your current system you may find that interesting. The performance of the digital front end is more important than the rest in my experience (garbage in garbage out).