870 digital sources from 1992 to 2025 ranked by THD

[Scytales]

I update the files this May 1st, 2025, with 4 new devices, a new test of an already tested device and new information (see opening post).

Test in 16 bits:

Exposure 3510 CD Player

Tests in 24 bits:

Bluesound Node Icon N530
SOtM sHP-100 (tested alone without its dedicated streamer)
Volumio Motivo
Weiss DAC204

New information:

• The Pioneer DAC chip bearing the PE8001A part number has been identified to the Burr Brown PCM1716.

The updated files have been uploaded in the first post.

It is worth noting that the Exposure 3510 commemorative CD player is a modern (2024) implementation of the famous Burr Brown PCM1704 DAC. But the end result is far from exceptional. Once again, a manufacturer has failed to achieve performance comparable to that of the best sigma-delta DAC chips with this DAC.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Scytales]

I update the files this June 1st, 2025, with 12 new devices, 1 less device, corrections and new information (see opening post).

Test in 16 bits:

Audiolab 8300 CDQ
Denon DCD-600NE

Tests in 24 bits:

Arcam ST60
Argon Audio Solo
Bluesound Node 2i
Bluesound Vault 2i
Bryston BR-20
Burmester 111 Musiccenter
NAD C446
Rose RS150B
Vincent DAC-1MK
Volumio Primo

Correction:
The Volumio Primo already listed is actually the second version (V2). The added test is of the first version.

Removal:

The Nubert NuConnect TRX has been removed from the list because after double check, it has been tested with a test signal sent with an unknown Bluetooth CODEC.

Thanks for reading.

 

[rocksteady]

From 2013 onward, I began a systematic survey of FFT measurements published by some German Hi-Fi magazines. Those magazines belong to a publisher which runs its own laboratory, thus ensuring consistency in the measurement method.

Preview :
View attachment 454739

At that time, I was driven by sheer curiosity. My goal was to establish an objective hierarchy among digital sources the best I could. Though informative FFT-based analysis is to assess the behavior of a particular device, it was indeed practically impossible to compare multiple devices between them. In time, there were no such thing as Audiosciencereview and I was left with no other choice to do my homework the old way. I then decided to compute manually the total harmonic distortion over the first significant harmonics of each device read on the FFT in order to rank the digital sources tested by the aforementioned magazines.

Obviously, the result of this work is by no mean a complete nor even sufficient way of assessing the performances of digital devices. Neither is this survey a product of absolute accuracy. The best I could do is a +/- 0.5 dB accuracy for each harmonics. Nevertheless, I think that this survey as been useful for me to have a glimpse over the evolution of digital techniques for home audio over a 30 years span and to make interesting observations (more of that latter).

You will find below at the foot of this message the pdf files of two tables translated in English from their respective French originals. The first table lists a total of 870 devices by chronological order. In the second table, these devices are ranked by the level of their respective THD.

In the second message of this thread, you will find the complete list of all devices which are part of this survey.

Pour les locuteurs français parmi vous, voilà un lien vers la publication des tableaux originaux en langue de Molière sur un autre forum : Cliquez ici !

Ou bien deux liens directs pour télécharger les fichiers pdf en français : Table par ordre chronologique -Table par ordre de performance

06/01/2025 updated files (version 25), with 12 new devices, 1 less device, corrections and new information:

Awesome Job! Thanks for your hard work.

 

[Scytales]

Thanks! I should take the time to update the table...