DO ALL DACS SOUND THE SAME??

[mk05]

DMM = Digital Multimeter. There are other threads that provide detail on how close the voltages need to match for it to be a valid test, since even a very tiny bit louder will bias the outcome. (I'd post that number, but I don't remember it and don't want to risk adding wrong info.)

Thank you for that. I was sweating over here looking up Direct Metal Mastering.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

... since it has PEQ controls. That seems like a feature that would be worth spending more on.

This is the key! Once quality DACs are being used (i.e., no measurable audio difference within range of human hearing, effective choice of filters, correct firmware settings, etc.), the decision is now driven by the features, build quality, anticipated reliability, support policies, price, form factor, etc. rather than the DAC or OPAMP chipset itself.

 

[kemmler3D]

member told me to wait for the dx5 ii if I can, since it has PEQ controls. That seems like a feature that would be worth spending more on.

Pretty worth it if you're not primarily using a PC as your source, yeah! Otherwise you can run EQ there, that's what I do on my DX5.

 

[mk05]

I think you guys have sold me on waiting . This new DAC will be connected to my TV and phones mostly, so the PEQ feature will be nice to have. Until now, the rew and dirac sounded like a "nice to have," but I had no hardware/software for application. Would I be able to make changes for room modes and whatnot with this feature

 

[kemmler3D]

Would I be able to make changes for room modes and whatnot with this feature

Yep, basically you do your measurements with REW, generate an EQ curve, then copy the EQ settings to the DAC. For speakers and especially if you have a sub it can be pretty night and day. I do my EQ in the living room with a WiiM Pro but I'm using active speakers with digital input so I don't need any DAC functions on top of that.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Uh huh...


JSmith

 

[JSmith]

View attachment 460353

... this should be the default meme when people post subjective nonsense at ASR.


JSmith

 

[GabrielPhoto]

View attachment 460369

... this should be the default meme when people post subjective nonsense at ASR.


JSmith

Thanks lol

 

[fritobugger]

Why would that difference matter to you?

Do the ESS still pop when the bit rate changes from song to song?

 

[Chrispy]

Just looked at SMSL RAW DAC1 vs RAW MQD1 (and Topping dx5 ii). Looks like the only difference that would matter to me at the moment is the AK4499ex vs ES9039Q2M chiset. Are there differences/benefits/tradeoffs at this point?

This a diy project?

 

[Westsounds]

Don't worry about it, get the best deal

 

[Mike_Trueman]

These days they are selling DAC's where you can replace the chipset module. (AKM, ESS, Burr Brown, ...)
So you tell me that you can not hear a difference with headphones between a Burr Brown and ESS chipset?
They are selling fantasy and dreams?

Example:

 

[solderdude]

These days they are selling DAC's where you can replace the chipset module. (AKM, ESS, Burr Brown, ...)
So you tell me that you can not hear a difference with headphones between a Burr Brown and ESS chipset?
They are selling fantasy and dreams?

Example:

View attachment 467193

Before any of us can say anything meaningful ....

A: these modules need to be measured in that device
B: Is the output level the same (within 1% = 0.1dB)
C: Is the existence of a 'sound' verified with properly controlled blind tests.

until then ... it all falls in the 'subjective found differences / marketing' bin.

 

[voodooless]

They are selling fantasy and dreams?

What else would high-end audio be?

 

[Westsounds]

What else would high-end audio be?

Overpriced abstract art.

 

[Behrelec 37]

There are a lot of lies and snake oil salesmen in this hifi/high end music industry. Unfortunately, where there is money, there are always armies of scammers.

 

[Roland68]

These days they are selling DAC's where you can replace the chipset module. (AKM, ESS, Burr Brown, ...)
So you tell me that you can not hear a difference with headphones between a Burr Brown and ESS chipset?
They are selling fantasy and dreams?

Example:

View attachment 467193

That's exactly what's often done: they're selling an illusion.
But there are also sound devices, whether intentional or incompetent.

We often conduct very strictly controlled, blinded tests and have tested various DAPs ranging from approximately €150 to €4000.
The one for €4000 sounded somewhat worse for all of them; there were only marginal differences between an older Pioneer with 2 x ES9018xx and a Fiio M15 with 2 x AK4499EQ.
This also matched my experience at a headphone trade fair, where I listened to many DAPs in all price ranges, with very slight differences, and the more expensive ones weren't necessarily better.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

These days they are selling DAC's where you can replace the chipset module. (AKM, ESS, Burr Brown, ...)
So you tell me that you can not hear a difference with headphones between a Burr Brown and ESS chipset?
They are selling fantasy and dreams?

Example:

View attachment 467193

In an industry filled with BS Snake Oil products taking advantage of the naive...I wouldn't be surprised

 

[Snoopy]

Do the ESS still pop when the bit rate changes from song to song?

A easy workaround for every dac is to upsample all your media to the same Bitrate but some manufacturers mute the output of the dac when the song changes or don’t implement features or if they not correctly.

That’s the price to pay for having always the newest chip.

I would avoid SMSL / topping dacs if that’s important to you.

 

[Westsounds]

In an industry filled with BS Snake Oil products taking advantage of the naive...I wouldn't be surprised

Yep, no such thing as an ethical business unless its not for profit.