Deaf "anti-audiophile" looking to fix a nonexistant problem... or something.

[Octopuss]

That's probably true. Doesn't stop me from wanting to do stuff at least a little more properly though

 

[kemmler3D]

That's probably true. Doesn't stop me from wanting to do stuff at least a little more properly though

Resampling isn't a big deal in the first place, toslink supports all the common sample rates anyway, and avoiding resampling is a big pain in the butt that also conflicts with your present goals, because you'd need to go back to a USB DAC to do it.

Basically, optical is not going to be any different than USB in this regard unless you need to go higher than 96Khz, which you don't because human hearing doesn't go up that high.

An "anti-audiophile" really doesn't need to think about the sound quality difference between USB / optical because in almost every case there isn't one, and when there is one, it's almost definitely inaudible even to highly discerning audiophiles.

 

[Octopuss]

To be honest, I am more likely than not going to buy the Bifrost when I can afford it (and find a decent 2nd hand deal) anyway

 

[staticV3]

To be honest, I am more likely than not going to buy the Bifrost when I can afford it (and find a decent 2nd hand deal) anyway

Somewhat irrational as equal or better sound can be had for way less, but if it makes you happy, who cares

 

[Octopuss]

I won't lie, a weird upgrade itch is down there along with the intention to get rid of the noise

 

[kemmler3D]

To be honest, I am more likely than not going to buy the Bifrost when I can afford it (and find a decent 2nd hand deal) anyway

Won't try to talk you out of it, but if a cheaper DAC catches your eye in the meantime it will do the job also.

 

[Octopuss]

I really don't know, but if there is a DAC specifically good for metal music, I'm all ears.

 

[kemmler3D]

if there is a DAC specifically good for metal music, I'm all ears.

Schiit DACs are best for metal because of the Nordic mythology naming convention.

Otherwise, there is really no such thing as a DAC that is better or worse for a given genre of music.

DACs just turn numbers into voltages, and if they do anything to affect the sound, they aren't working right. So jazz, metal, rock, rap, and classical will all sound the same (read: how they are supposed to) through any decent DAC.

Amps are pretty much the same way. Their job is to take the input and give you the same output, but bigger. Making the sound better or different somehow is not in the job description.

You can read lots of reviews that say otherwise, but they all have two things in common: They don't do blind tests to prove they heard anything different, and they don't have a sound theoretical basis for saying that stuff.

 

[RandomEar]

I won't lie, a weird upgrade itch is down there along with the intention to get rid of the noise

If you want to get rid of the noise, choose the optical route. Everything else is a gamble.

 

[Octopuss]

Schiit DACs are best for metal because of the Nordic mythology naming convention.

Otherwise, there is really no such thing as a DAC that is better or worse for a given genre of music.

DACs just turn numbers into voltages, and if they do anything to affect the sound, they aren't working right. So jazz, metal, rock, rap, and classical will all sound the same (read: how they are supposed to) through any decent DAC.

Amps are pretty much the same way. Their job is to take the input and give you the same output, but bigger. Making the sound better or different somehow is not in the job description.

You can read lots of reviews that say otherwise, but they all have two things in common: They don't do blind tests to prove they heard anything different, and they don't have a sound theoretical basis for saying that stuff.

So all the DAC reviews where people are colourfully describing stuff like the cimbal in track XYZ at time 1:37:465 sounding a little more floaty and the surround impression of fifth vocalist in the choir being hair lower etc. etc. are complete bunch of snake oil lies pulled ouf the individuals' arses?

 

[Steven Holt]

Suggested reading :

The Signal Chain: How do noise and distortion propagate through my system?​

 

[kemmler3D]

complete bunch of snake oil lies pulled ouf the individuals' arses?

Directly from the arses, I'm afraid.

I'll add that "lies" is a little strong because I would wager >90% of these reviewers believe what they are saying.

The big problem is that "placebo effect" can make you hear all kinds of things, and it does so very consistently. The reviewers ignore this fact and assume everything they're hearing is real.

Meanwhile every time Amir tests a DAC, it shows that it would be nearly-to-literally impossible for a human being to tell the difference between two of them while listening to music. Actual blind tests that would prove the reviewers right have an extremely strong track record of not existing.

 

[Octopuss]

So if that is BS, I guess I can freely disregard any claims that a preamp has significant effect on sound quality as well? Because that's what kept coming up when I tried googling for some answers to whether a cheap preamp is enough when one simply wants a volume control for a single input (for a power amp).

 

[kemmler3D]

So if that is BS, I guess I can freely disregard any claims that a preamp has significant effect on sound quality as well? Because that's what kept coming up when I tried googling for some answers to whether a cheap preamp is enough when one simply wants a volume control for a single input.

With pre/amps you have to be a little more careful because some of them actually do have unacceptably high noise, problems with input/output levels, or undesirable levels of distortion, but other than avoiding poorly designed ones, or ones that are unsuitable for your use, you are correct that they won't do magical things for sound quality.

Unfortunately because preamps are somewhat more niche today than they were 30 years ago, it is hard to find one that's decent and not expensive. Conversely, DACs have hit a point where you can get extremely high performance for peanuts. There are some <$50 dongles with numbers that would be called "mastering studio grade" just 10 years ago.

My advice would be to just use the volume control on the DAC if you don't need the preamp for another reason. I have a Topping DX5 lite with volume knob and remote and it's perfectly good to hook straight to a power amp, powered speakers, or whatever.

 

[Octopuss]

because I would wager >90% of these reviewers believe what they are saying.

Yes that's what I really meant.

 

[Octopuss]

Unfortunately because preamps are somewhat more niche today

How come? From the extremely limited amount of information I have managed to google up thus far I got the impression ntegrated amps are not very much used in the audiophile circles, and standalone amp plus a preamp is the way to go.

 

[kemmler3D]

How come? From the extremely limited amount of information I have managed to google up thus far I got the impression ntegrated amps are not very much used in the audiophile circles, and standalone amp plus a preamp is the way to go.

IME a true preamp with no digital inputs is pretty unusual these days compared to just putting a DAC or streamer in the system. It's not like how it used to be when everyone needed either an integrated or a preamp for their turntable / CD player. I started shopping for one a couple years ago, got offended by the prices, and then realized I didn't need one in the first place once I started looking at DACs. The volume control sits elsewhere.

Integrated amps in 2024 are another story because they also tend to incorporate digital stuff (e.g. WiiM Amp) so I wouldn't say those are niche at all.

 

[Octopuss]

Oh wait, that's right, the Topping DACs have volume control in them, so it's a DAC+preamp combo, right? That could work for me as well if I wanted to simplify the setup. The integrated amp I have is fully digital with just a remote control, and I find it to be quite some pain in the arse. Nothing beats a knob.

 

[kemmler3D]

Oh wait, that's right, the Topping DACs have volume control in them, so it's a DAC+preamp combo, right? That could work for me as well if I wanted to simplify the setup. The integrated amp I have is fully digital with just a remote control, and I find it to be quite some pain in the arse. Nothing beats a knob.

Some of them do have knobs, but I wouldn't technically call them "preamps" because they mostly don't accept analog inputs. That said if you're using digital sources only, they do work like a DAC + pre.

Funny enough I use mine on a desk and mostly use the remote because I would have to lean forward to reach the knob. Maybe Wall-E was trying to tell us something.

 

[Salt]

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