Dac vs EQ?

[nondescriptgoblin]

Hey first post here - my main question is what would be the advantage of using a separate DAC to improve the sound of my CD player instead of simply using EQ and tweaking the sound until happy?

I am currently using a Wiim Pro to stream into a Nakamichi AV3s, and yesterday I received my Nakamichi MB10 CD player. I tried running the MB10 into the receiver using the RCA, then I also used toslink out into the Wiim, then analog into the receiver.

I find using the room correction/parametric EQ in the Wiim sounds leagues better than using the DAC in the MB10. However I have also read time and time again that the DAC in the Wiim Pro is less than ideal. Would I really gain anything from adding something like a schiit modi3 or similar into the chain?

(There is a schiit modi3 available for 120cad all in at the time of writing if that would impact any advice)

 

[Roland68]

Hey first post here - my main question is what would be the advantage of using a separate DAC to improve the sound of my CD player instead of simply using EQ and tweaking the sound until happy?

I am currently using a Wiim Pro to stream into a Nakamichi AV3s, and yesterday I received my Nakamichi MB10 CD player. I tried running the MB10 into the receiver using the RCA, then I also used toslink out into the Wiim, then analog into the receiver.

I find using the room correction/parametric EQ in the Wiim sounds leagues better than using the DAC in the MB10. However I have also read time and time again that the DAC in the Wiim Pro is less than ideal. Would I really gain anything from adding something like a schiit modi3 or similar into the chain?

(There is a schiit modi3 available for 120cad all in at the time of writing if that would impact any advice)

These two things have nothing to do with each other.
The DAC only converts the digital data 1:1 into analogue, which you can get perfectly and transparently with an SMSL SU-1 for €80.
The EQ/DSP influences this data, preferably before the D/A conversion, according to specifications, e.g. room adaptation, speaker adaptation, preferences, etc.

 

[staticV3]

Would I really gain anything from adding something like a schiit modi3 or similar into the chain?

Unlikely.

Even if you can hear the minute difference between the WiiM Pro and a fully transparent DAC (110+dB SINAD), it'll be orders of magnitude smaller than the impact that EQ and room correction have on the sound.

 

[nondescriptgoblin]

Unlikely.

Even if you can hear the minute difference between the WiiM Pro and a fully transparent DAC (110+dB SINAD), it'll be orders of magnitude smaller than the impact that EQ and room correction have on the sound.

Okay this is what I was wondering thank you.
I like the idea of having other little boxes to play around with but I wasn't convinced I would ever hear an audible difference.

 

[voodooless]

The objective performance of the CD player and WiiM should be about the same. So use the tool that gives you EQ and room correction!

 

[krabapple]

Hey first post here - my main question is what would be the advantage of using a separate DAC to improve the sound of my CD player instead of simply using EQ and tweaking the sound until happy?

None.

 

[gwing]

None.

Well, possibly none
Depending on the DAC you get it might (as well as marginally better and probably inaudible performance) have extra features such as a physical volume control, extra inputs, XLR connections to the amp, good headphone amplifier etc.

 

[DVDdoug]

Be skeptical of the "audiophile nonsense" you might read!

Most of the people claiming that one DAC sounds better than another are not doing proper blind listening tests and usually they can't describe the differences with meaningful terminology (or anything that can be measured). If they don't mention noise, distortion, or frequency response, don't trust 'em!

I don't claim to have "golden ears" but I never heard anything wrong with the 1st CD player I bought in 1985. I don't own a stand-alone DAC and the ONLY time I've heard a difference or defect from a "DAC" it was a soundcard that made noise when the hard drive was accessed.

And see Audiophoolery.

 

[nondescriptgoblin]

Thanks for the replies!
I’m new to most home audio gear and am basing all my purchases on user/tester reviews I find online.
All good information that clears up my internal “Buy another box?” debate.
That being said, as I’m enjoying the WiiM Pro, I may purchase the Ultra for my home theatre setup to add a sub-out and bass management to my old Pioneer VSXD510. Unless anyone could suggest something more affordable with a similar feature set as the Wiim Ultra?

 

[HaveMeterWillTravel]

Hey first post here - my main question is what would be the advantage of using a separate DAC to improve the sound of my CD player instead of simply using EQ and tweaking the sound until happy?

I am currently using a Wiim Pro to stream into a Nakamichi AV3s, and yesterday I received my Nakamichi MB10 CD player. I tried running the MB10 into the receiver using the RCA, then I also used toslink out into the Wiim, then analog into the receiver.

I find using the room correction/parametric EQ in the Wiim sounds leagues better than using the DAC in the MB10. However I have also read time and time again that the DAC in the Wiim Pro is less than ideal. Would I really gain anything from adding something like a schiit modi3 or similar into the chain?

(There is a schiit modi3 available for 120cad all in at the time of writing if that would impact any advice)

A few points to consider:

Given the age of the MB10 it is possible it's DAC and output stage has deteriorated. That's assuming there is an actual difference in the SQ between it and Wiim without using any DSP/EQ functions.

"Less than ideal" is relative. There is a rather large area between the SOTA and one which has audible deficiencies.

I highly doubt there is anything to be gained.

 

[Mnyb]

It’s not vs anything DAC is nowadays a commodity item inside more interesting products like the WiiM lineup or active speakers or an AVR , etc .

I have a standalone DAC , but that’s because I already have a headphone amp otherwise I would have bought a combined headphone amp and DAC possibly with built in EQ .

Nothing wrong with a separate DAC but if you have one , keep it until you need features it does not have or it’s broken in some way.

 

[krabapple]

Well, possibly none
Depending on the DAC you get it might (as well as marginally better and probably inaudible performance) have extra features such as a physical volume control, extra inputs, XLR connections to the amp, good headphone amplifier etc.

Or, just get a decent AVR and get *far* more features than that.

But I assume he's already got something to plug that CDP into.