Choose the preferred DAC from these 5

[Blumlein 88]

I have this going over at CA too. Might as well try it here and see what happens.

I took 5 DACs and played music through them. I recorded it with an ADC. I would like for you to download the recorded files and rank them according to your preference after you listen to them.

I used only 30 second snips of songs. 9 different songs.

Each link will download a zip file that will open into a folder holding the 5 versions of the song labeled A thru E. You can of course listen to all nine songs or one or however many suits you before deciding. Will make this a poll where you choose one for most preferred and one for least preferred. You can choose more than one if you feel some are equivalent. It would be nice to post with your complete ranking and comments should you choose to do so. Now for the download links.

This is Ana Caram from a Chesky recording of this Brazilian singer.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/69etgq7lchxvx7k/Ana Caram I.zip?dl=0

Another Ana Caram from the same album.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/oe18vpexu3pulms/Ana Caram II.zip?dl=0

A snippet from a Fiona Apple track.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n76ucq8za95leok/Fiona Apple.zip?dl=0

A Wilson Audio recording of Hyperion Knight on the piano.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7a5e294rdq9h2b5/Hyperion Knight.zip?dl=0

John Hiatt which is country, but this has a nice voice quality and guitar sound.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hkicqhr6ztiw87o/John Hiatt.zip?dl=0

John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers accompanied by Eric Clapton.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rto6d3chip1etws/John Mayall and Eric Clapton.zip?dl=0

Miles Davis from Kind of Blue sourced via MFSL.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rmfwwgsso7eh7a8/Miles Davis.zip?dl=0

Mighty Sam McClain singing blues.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c8u2qltjh9fuaei/Sam McClain.zip?dl=0

Terrel which is early 90's rock.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iy8a8tbp7m6vx2p/Terrel.zip?dl=0

Download them, listen to them and vote in the poll. Discuss. Have fun.

 

[NorthSky]

Hey, happy back, Yvonne!

 

[fas42]

Yes, cheers ... I have downloaded the Mayall and Clapton set, obvious differences on a quick listen - I'll do a serious shootout shortly .

 

[Blumlein 88]

Hey, happy back, Yvonne!

Thank you.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Yes, cheers ... I have downloaded the Mayall and Clapton set, obvious differences on a quick listen - I'll do a serious shootout shortly .

Look forward to your votes.

 

[Thomas savage]

Thanks for this, I only have my iPad mini so won't be able test them just yet.

Great idea though and I look forward to the members impressions

 

[Sal1950]

Glad your back bud!
My results are on CA

 

[Blumlein 88]

Glad your back bud!
My results are on CA

Thanks Sal. So you didn't have Alex's issues. LOL.

 

[amirm]

Welcome back but I am still trying to test your generational loss tests!

 

[RayDunzl]

How would I play it back without sullying the results with my crappy DAC?

(assuming there are any differences in the first place)

 

[Blumlein 88]

How would I play it back without sullying the results with my crappy DAC?

(assuming there are any differences in the first place)

There are real genuine differences I can assure you.

In answer to your question, get a non-crappy DAC.

No different than the original recordings really. Some use great gear, some so so gear, some is run thru bunches of processes before it gets to you. I also have to think the Benchmark isn't too terribly crappy. It is better than the DAC I used in the generational loss thread. You can hear for yourself the DAC isn't horribly coloring of the sound.

 

[RayDunzl]

In answer to your question, get a non-crappy DAC.

I thought I did. Oh well, I'm deaf anyway.

 

[Blumlein 88]

No votes yet? Come on guys get with it. I know this would take a bit longer to do. But would like to see some voting going on.

 

[fas42]

88, just so you don't get too discouraged I've done a first run through of ranking, using the Mayall set; I'll leave it for a bit, come back later, and confirm/refine my ordering. What I've gone on is overall presentation, best is closest to "high end" sound, last is the "sludgiest", the one most like a kitchen radio, so to speak, .

 

[fas42]

Hmmm, today the Mayall combo is not "working" so well - I suspect I've gone stale on the exercise, and I've "learnt" the sound of that snippet too well, my mind is filling the gaps - so, I've downloaded some fresh, alternative sets; will give it a rest and try another round shortly ...

 

[fas42]

Right, have cast my vote. The Mayall set wasn't the best here, in the end I found that the Hyperion Knight combo was the clearest for differentiating the qualities; and the Anna Caram I wasn't ideal - I found myself dithering between the top two ranking DACs for a bit, the slightly softer sounding unit seemed better at first, but wasn't able to get the piano right.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Okay the poll is closed. For those who voted, thank you for your participation.

Here are the identities of each choice.

Only click on the spoiler if you are ready to see the answers in this poll.

Spoiler

A. The Lenovo T410 laptop.
B. Nexus 6p smartphone
C. Up sampled original via Sox.
D. Focusrite 18 i20 recording interface.
E. Tact RCS 2.0

I had many who in the thread or in PM said they heard no difference. Making no difference (which I should have had as a choice) the most popular. As the other results were about evenly split I guess you can draw your own conclusions. I find that an interesting result along with the limited participation in the poll. I find it especially interesting that the smartphone wasn't obviously different to people.