2. digital
  3. 179753-139155

You want a DAC that sounds *different.* What factor helps you find it?

I'm thinking about trying a new DAC, adding one to the stable. 

What's most important is that it sound different than my present DAC.

If you were to look for a new DAC to try, what weight would you assign to each of these factors in predicting a different character of sound? 

1. chipset
2. design of DAC --- R2R etc.
3. power supply
4. tube or no  tube
5. ? (some factor or combination not mentioned)

I've become somewhat skeptical of user reviews because of uncontrollable variability related to tastes, system components, and vagueness of language used by reviewers.

So, without some appreciation of the ability for the above factors to affect the sound character, singling out just one or another factor seems like random guessing.

I'd love to learn from you all. I'd be curious to know, for example, that most R2R DACs sound similar, overall. That would help by directing me away from trying another R2R DAC. Or maybe they don't all sound similar; ok, that keeps them in consideration.

Same question with chipsets, power supply, tube/no tube.

So, again the hypothetical -- simplified:

You want to get a DAC that sounds much different than what you have. What factor helps you find it?

128x128hilde45

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,471 posts
 

First, I only base my decisions on the sound qualities. Never the technology used. I have had components basses on ESS DAC chips and they have sounded everything from terrible to great. It isn’t the technology, it is the implementation that matters. The designer has to choose the design, technology, components, material… etc. I pay absolutely no attention to the technology.

 

I never have a stable. I always trade up, and never less than 2x in cost from my last component because if well chosen it will sound much better than the last. Otherwise you trade one set of weaknesses (and strengths) for another. Trading up, all aspects get better.

I read professional reviews and listen to everything I can, including lots of live acoustic music. This approach has led me step by step moving towards better and better systems.

 

Now, being retired and having the time to really enjoy the system I have built over fifty years is really rewarding! The only larger investment I have made is the house in which it sits… which by luck has the best audio space I have heard (better to be lucky than good).

ghdprentice
6,471 posts
 

@pwerahera

 

I’m glad you brought up Audio Research DACs. I own an Audio Research Reference CD9SE DAC. It is simply phenomenal, musical, and detailed. It made a huge difference (positive) in my system.

 

My dealer lent me a Berkeley Reference Alpha 3 DAC to try and buy if I wanted ($22K). I was fully prepared to shell out the additional $5K for this very well respected DAC.

 

I was very surprised when there was no obvious difference. I really had to listen carefully and for long periods of time to detect differences. There was a difference in my system… very very small… the ARC was very slightly more musical and warm in the midrange and upper bass, and the Berkeley had ever so slightly more detail. But the difference was very small. To my partner (she has better hearing… but with little interest of knowledge in sound) the ARC sounded better. I also preferred the ARC sound.
 

Wow, that was a first… I liked the less expensive component. But then the rest of my system is Audio Research… synergy perhaps.

 

But definitely look a ARC.

More to discover