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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 3 responses by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,104 posts
 

@blisshifi

Agree with your list of attributes except the emphasis on AES / USB. Once you hear Ethernet based DAC’s, you would never wanna go back to rely on AES or USB.

And to the OP, I would never consider a tube DAC. If you prefer a ‘colored’ sound, add a tube pre or amp. Keep the digital bits flowing as pure as possible…pick a DAC that delivers the realism and transparency of highest order. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,104 posts
 

“Again, it’s all about the clock”

@blisshifi

No doubt N30SA is a great streamer but unless you’re clocking both N30SA and your DAC with a external Master Clock like MC20, your AES output to T+A DAC isn’t much of a difference maker. You may prefer this connection over USB but you have not tapped the true potential of N30SA until you’re in a aforementioned setup.  I do agree, the quality of clock is super important, among other things. If you like, I am happy to continue our conversation over PM :-) 

Cheers! 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,104 posts
 

@facten

Good point. The Ethernet based DAC’s I am referring to all sports the AES input for backward compatibility and flexibility. I wanted to make it a point that DAC with Ethernet capabilities are way to the future. As they continue to evolve, they will eventually eliminate the need for a high end external server or streamer.

There will be always those who prefer to remain on the path of separate streamer / server or CD transport with external DAC’s. I was there not too long ago :-)

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