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Do all DACs sound the same?

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NikJi

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In a double blind test, will all DACs sound the same given that the DAC is the only variable in that test? Same room, same song, same amplifier, same speakers, same cords and cables.
 

staticV3

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No. Some DACs will output audible distortion and noise, some will have insufficient output voltage, some audibly different frequency response.
However, the vast majority of DACs will sound the same.
 

DVDdoug

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You can never say "all". ;) But in general DACs are better than human hearing. Some "regular soundcards" have audible noise.

Same room, same song, same amplifier, same speakers, same cords and cables.
The analog levels also have to be matched.
 

Mojo Warrior

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Pretty much, if very little subjective difference. Unless it is a poorly designed DAC.

If you don't like the sound of your system, consider getting speakers that you like. Transducers have the largest influence on sound output. The effect of electronics is minuscule in comparison.
 

Plcamp

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It would be fun to see the result of all the subjective self declared audio expert YouTube reviewers in a real controlled test of DACs (and other equipment).

But it would be a bad bet for them to participate, because of the cost of failing to identify a difference.

I remember challenging one British audiophile on this in the video comments, and his response was to state you needed to live with the device for a while to hear the (expressed in emotional terms) differences. But his answer was enlightening in one way…clearly whatever differences even might exist are very slight if even the British audiophile needed days of listening to discern they even exist.
 

BDWoody

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