No point picking based on DAC chip used?

[xand]

I know that the newest DACs have slightly better specifications (if implemented properly).

However, any DAC chip released in (say) the last 10 years should have sufficiently good specifications that the choice is almost certainly inaudible (and hence irrelevant)?

I might be missing some FAQ which discusses this - please let me know.

 

[LTig]

Maybe not any DAC chip - there are good one's and very cheap one's for ultra low cost devices - but generally speaking you're right. Good DAC chips are audibly transparent since the 1990ies (closer to 30 years than 10 years).

 

[xand]

Thanks - so if I'm looking for something to drive headphones - the amplification section is more important? I'm buying now, so everything available new almost definitely has a DAC chip from within the last 10 years.

 

[xand]

Urgh I take that back:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/ifi-zen-dac-and-headphone-amp-review.9885/

I guess I need to pick something with an AK or ESS DAC chip to be safe.

 

[EdW]

My approach would be to choose a DAC from the top performing DACs on Amir’s lists of DACs with a good reserve of power to drive your chosen headphones. You may also prefer rotary volume controls over up/down switches etc.

 

[olivier salad]

One thing that is often overlooked when reviewing DACs is whether it operates problem free or not. You can assume that every new DAC in 2021 works just fine but that is not the case. With some products you can have occasional pops, unwanted noises, shutdowns, etc, and that is more important than a couple dbs of sinad.

 

[amirm]

You definitely want to ignore the DAC chip used and look for measurements instead. Without measurements, you will be shopping bling and what chip is used inside will not help you.

 

[xand]

Thanks - I'm seriously considering just getting the matching DAC/Amp - it hasn't been reviewed here unfortunately (and I suspect it is unlikely to be):

https://www.focal.com/en/headphones-0/headphones/headphones-electronics/amplifier-dac/arche

Picking something like the smsl m400 + sp400 will save some money, but warranty is iffy.

Any further thoughts?

 

[mansr]

Urgh I take that back:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/ifi-zen-dac-and-headphone-amp-review.9885/

I guess I need to pick something with an AK or ESS DAC chip to be safe.

TI/BB DAC chips can do much better than that. It's iFi you need to avoid.

 

[xand]

TI/BB DAC chips can do much better than that. It's iFi you need to avoid.

Well, at least that iFi... This mobile dac seems reasonably okay. Gah.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dsd-black-label-dacs-and-headphone-amps.3717/