Review and Measurements of Soekris dac1421 Multibit DAC

[gvl]

One variable is different mains voltage and frequency in the US, I doubt it is the reason for those mains spikes but it is one difference.

 

[mindbomb]

If the DAC itself has good linearity, where do all those distortions come from? Analog output stage?

Those distortions are filtered out in the linearity test. To do well on the linearity test here, you have to have good linearity and low random noise afaik.

 

[dc655321]

The line of thought is that the consumer who got a $1000 budget and is looking for an amp/DAC combo unit does not care about $2k+ standalone DACs, but instead if anything better than the dac1421 can be had for those money.
I get that they get compared in this review because they're both multibit, but from a consumer perspective, it's an apples and oranges comparison.

Is @amirm not comparing dac-to-dac here? It's my understanding that is what's presented here.

 

[Ron Texas]

The line of thought is that the consumer who got a $1000 budget and is looking for an amp/DAC combo unit does not care about $2k+ standalone DACs, but instead if anything better than the dac1421 can be had for those money.
I get that they get compared in this review because they're both multibit, but from a consumer perspective, it's an apples and oranges comparison.

Not really different fruit. I suppose you would like to see everything price matched, but I would like to see everything performance matched. Correlations between price and performance in the hi-fi world are nothing like anything else a consumer would ever think of buying. It reminds me of the $10k toilet seats the US military buys.

 

[amirm]

Is @amirm not comparing dac-to-dac here? It's my understanding that is what's presented here.

Correct.

 

[flipflop]

Is @amirm not comparing dac-to-dac here? It's my understanding that is what's presented here.

Correct.

Comparing an amp/DAC to a DAC is not a fair comparison just like comparing the amp of a motherboard to an external amp is not a fair comparison, even if they cost the same. They're different categories and should be treated as such.

 

[DuxServit]

Comparing an amp/DAC to a DAC is not a fair comparison just like comparing the amp of a motherboard to an external amp is not a fair comparison, even if they cost the same. They're different categories and should be treated as such.

Well, would the DX7S satisfy your requirements? It’s a DAC/amp combo. And it’s priced at around USD$499.

 

[mindbomb]

I agree with flipflop in that I think it would have been more relevant to focus on something similarly priced, like the rme adi 2 dac. Although the yggdrasil comparison was also interesting.

 

[DuxServit]

I agree with flipflop in that I think it would have been more relevant to focus on something similarly priced, like the rme adi 2 dac. Although the yggdrasil comparison was also interesting.

LOL, I think the unsaid implication is that the Yggy is not worth $2300

In fact, IMHO it may not even be worth the price of the Topping DX7S.

 

[flipflop]

Well, would the DX7S satisfy your requirements? It’s a DAC/amp combo. And it’s priced at around USD$499.

Yes.
It should be compared to products it's competing with. Otherwise the comparison is of little use if you're trying to make a purchase decision.
Due to the high output impedance of DX7S, I'd rather see it compared to iFi iDSD Black though.

 

[DuxServit]

Yes.
It should be compared to products it's competing with. Otherwise the comparison is of little use if you're trying to make a purchase decision.
Due to the high output impedance of DX7S, I'd rather see it compared to iFi iDSD Black though.

Sigh, seems whatever Amir compares to, there will always be someone unhappy

 

[amirm]

I don't have the RME ADI-2 DAC or the iFi iDSD BL anymore. My choice of comparison here was driven by my own interest and that of comments from members. Those comments asked for comparison against Yggdrasil and SMSL SU-8 which is what I did. In the future, post your input as to what devices should be compared. Otherwise, as the ruler of the Kingdom, I reserve the right to make the selection.

 

[flipflop]

I don't have the RME ADI-2 DAC or the iFi iDSD BL anymore.

Don't you have the measurement data saved? Can't you compare earlier measurements with newer ones?

In the future, post your input as to what devices should be compared.

In addition to what I have already said, I think it's also important that the products you test don't get compared to something that's more expensive. It's not interesting to see a $100 DAC come up short against a $500 DAC or even a $200 one for that matter. Please compare to same price range or cheaper if possible.

 

[gvl]

I don't have the RME ADI-2 DAC or the iFi iDSD BL anymore. My choice of comparison here was driven by my own interest and that of comments from members. Those comments asked for comparison against Yggdrasil and SMSL SU-8 which is what I did. In the future, post your input as to what devices should be compared. Otherwise, as the ruler of the Kingdom, I reserve the right to make the selection.

Do you have any Metrum Acoustics DACs in the pipeline? Metrum Amethyst is a close match price and technology wise and would be interesting to see how it stacks up against the dac1421.

 

[dc655321]

I think it's also important that the products you test don't get compared to something that's more expensive.

You've completely missed or are ignoring the important lesson here.
If you shop for components with the understanding that spending more is equivalent to receiving more, you are mistaken (at least).

 

[flipflop]

You've completely missed or are ignoring the important lesson here.
If you shop for components with the understanding that spending more is equivalent to receiving more, you are mistaken (at least).

There is a correlation between quality and price, up to a certain point, if you only look at the best performing products.
Not sure what this has to do with the discussion.

 

[mi-fu]

There is a correlation between quality and price, up to a certain point, if you only look at the best performing products.
Not sure what this has to do with the discussion.

I think the assumed "correlation between price and quality" should not be taken as a given, especially among audio products.

 

[amirm]

Do you have any Metrum Acoustics DACs in the pipeline? Metrum Amethyst is a close match price and technology wise and would be interesting to see how it stacks up against the dac1421.

No I don't.

 

[March Audio]

One variable is different mains voltage and frequency in the US, I doubt it is the reason for those mains spikes but it is one difference.

Hi
That has no bearing on the result.

 

[restorer-john]

the dac1541

Don't you think it's a bit cheeky using the model number of arguably the most famous and revered audio D/A converter of yesteryear, the Philips TDA-1541 for your TOTL converter?

At what point will you address, re-assess and correct your specifications to reflect the actual product's S/N? The 1421 is rated at >120dB and the 1541 is rated at >123dB.

(manufacturer's specs dac1421)

(manufacturer's specs dac1541)

That would require overall noise levels of <2uV (1421) and less than <1.4uV (1541) with respect to their rated output, would it not?

Clearly, these numbers are an absolute fantasy aren't they?