Measuring the "sound signature" of two different digital sources (DSD 2.8MHz)
www.audiosciencereview.com
Vs.
www.audiosciencereview.com
So, what happens if we compare to two?
Test setup
Marantz SA-11s2: Outputs 5V at the XLR outs
Panasonic UBP-UB9000: Outputs 2V at the XLR outs
Recorded to E1DA Cosmos ADC Grade A
This volume mismatch will EXAGGERATE any differences.
Thankfully @pkane's DeltaWave will correct this for us.
As recorded
Initial peak values Reference: -9.642dB Comparison: -0.59dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -32.143dB Comparison: -23.096dB
After normalizing volume using DeltaWave
Final peak values Reference: -9.642dB Comparison: -9.632dB
Final RMS values Reference: -32.143dB Comparison: -32.137dB
Music on test: Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: Scherzo from SFS0060 - Masterpieces in Miniature (Physical SACD) & DSD extract
I'll keep it simple:
-50 dBFS is the threshold for audibility for the PK Error Metric.
There is no subjective audible difference between these two DACs.
There is no measured difference between these two DACs with test tones.
There is no measured difference between these two DACs with musical content that was able to demonstrate differences between two different integrated amps.
Conclusion
Whew. These kind of negative results are actually very valuable. Being able to show that there is a difference between integrated amplifiers and simultaneously showing that there is NO difference between two high performance DACs gives me even more confidence in the ability for DeltaWave to measure and quantify audible differences that aren't readily apparent between test tones.
Thanks @pkane for the wonderful, free software!
@amirm
@pkane

Marantz SA-11s2 Review (SACD Player; Seiko NPC SM5866AS Monaural DAC)
Marantz SA-11s2 Review (2008-era SACD player with Seiko NPC SM5866AS Monaural DAC) Disclaimer: This review is limited by the limited availability of physical SACD test/diagnostics discs. DACs are all about precision Before there was hi-fi, the battles of engineering and craftsmanship lay in...

Vs.

Panasonic DP-UB9000 UHD Player Review
This is a review and detailed audio measurements of the Panasonic DP-UB9000 UHD streaming 4K disc player. It was kindly purchased by a member from my friend @Robert Zohn of Value Electronics. The DP-UB9000 costs US $1,000. The moment you grab the DP-UB9000 and feel its incredible heft you...

So, what happens if we compare to two?
Test setup
Marantz SA-11s2: Outputs 5V at the XLR outs
Panasonic UBP-UB9000: Outputs 2V at the XLR outs
Recorded to E1DA Cosmos ADC Grade A
This volume mismatch will EXAGGERATE any differences.
Thankfully @pkane's DeltaWave will correct this for us.
As recorded
Initial peak values Reference: -9.642dB Comparison: -0.59dB
Initial RMS values Reference: -32.143dB Comparison: -23.096dB
After normalizing volume using DeltaWave
Final peak values Reference: -9.642dB Comparison: -9.632dB
Final RMS values Reference: -32.143dB Comparison: -32.137dB
Music on test: Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102: Scherzo from SFS0060 - Masterpieces in Miniature (Physical SACD) & DSD extract
I'll keep it simple:
-50 dBFS is the threshold for audibility for the PK Error Metric.
There is no subjective audible difference between these two DACs.
There is no measured difference between these two DACs with test tones.
There is no measured difference between these two DACs with musical content that was able to demonstrate differences between two different integrated amps.
Conclusion
Whew. These kind of negative results are actually very valuable. Being able to show that there is a difference between integrated amplifiers and simultaneously showing that there is NO difference between two high performance DACs gives me even more confidence in the ability for DeltaWave to measure and quantify audible differences that aren't readily apparent between test tones.
Thanks @pkane for the wonderful, free software!
@amirm
@pkane
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