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


I've been talking to my cousin brother about sound quality. He is a self-proclaimed expert audiophile. He says that Audio Science Review has all of the answers I will need regarding audio products.

In particular, he says an inexpensive DAC from any Chinese company will do better than the expensive stuff. He says fancy audio gear is a waste of money because the data is already bit-perfect.  All DAC chips sound the same. Am I being mislead? 

He also said that any DAC over $400 is a waste of money. Convincing marketing is at play here, he says.

He currently owns a Topping L30 headphone amplifier and D30 Pro DAC. He uses Sennheiser HD 569 headphones to listen to music.  I'm not sure what to think of them. I will report my findings after listening one day! (likely soon, once I get some free time)

- Jack 

 

 

jackhifiguy

your cousin's brother is very ill-informed, that's do indeed sound different but you don't need to pay $110,000 for one like audio note charges, 45,000 can buy you incredibly good analog sounding dac.

Take a listen yourself.

 

$100 DAC - Audioquest Dragonfly Black

$3000  - Goldnote DS10

$10000 - Meitner MA3

$30000 DAC - EMM Labs DV2

$105k - MSB Select

$150k - Wadax Reference

 

I think the MA3 is the sweet spot. For the 100k DACS, you won't hear much difference  in my opinion unless if all of your gear is up there too

I think it's cute that so many of you think this is a serious thread........🙄

Post removed