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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
alphonsodamato
27 posts
 

Yes, it is now a proven scientific fact, all DACs are exactly the same.

lanx0003
676 posts
 

@alphonsodamato Yes, it is now a proven scientific fact, all DACs are exactly the same.

Before making such a strong statement, you have better listen to "all" DACs and present all "scientific facts" to prove "all DACs are exactly the same." Don’t use big words that you do not understand, please.  After doing all that, if you still conclude all DACs are the same.  Great news to you because you do not need to make any investment on external DACs.  Just output the sound from PC to your system BECAUSE all DACs will include the internal dac inside your PC, right by your argument?

in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 

JackHiFi why ask here , join ASR and be done with it . I follow every bit of their suggestions when I have a question and just recently saved a bundle of cash on several key components most other audio forums wouldn’t even mention.
 

Amazon is my go to audio store for practically anything I need for my audio system though a couple of recent topics of MQA over on AudioPhileStyle surprised me where some ASR members wholeheartedly defend MQA including the owner of the ASR site it was almost shocking how they were humiliated and ridiculed.

Anyway if you need extra power cords Amazon seller Pinhead has a package of three for $9.99 free shipping. 

jackhifiguy OP
151 posts
 

it seems like so many of you guys have subjective-only opinions about what "sounds good"

Can we all agree that machines used for measuring audio gear are more accurate than human ears?

 

arbitrary audiophiles.

 

For example, if the vocals sounded "shrill" or "harsh" then maybe, just maybe, it was recorded that way and counts as error in the song?

it’s like so many of you guys are full of ideas of smooth, warm, wonderful sound. Real or not, you just want things to "sound good"

Romanticizing subjective ideals of what it "should sound like" won’t get this hobby anywhere. I want to hear what the recording sounds like after post production. The full event - even if it doesn't sound great.

big_greg
6,567 posts
 

it seems like so many of you guys have subjective-only opinions about what "sounds good"

Can we all agree that machines used for measuring audio gear are more accurate than human ears?

Do you use machines to decide whether art is visually pleasing or not?  Do you have machines taste your food for you?  Do they tell you what smells good?

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