TDA1541

[SIY]

Some audio equipment with great specs sounds awful.

A specific example?

 

[audioxcel]

A specific example?

Just go to any discount store and listen to the audio equipment. Pick the worst sounding piece and then look at the specs.

Try this one.

Fosi Audio BT20A Pro Bluetooth 5.0 Amplifier, 300W x2 Wireless Amp​

≤ 0.005%​	THD​	​
≥108dB​	S:N​

 

[SIY]

Just go to any discount store and listen to the audio equipment. Pick the worst sounding piece and then look at the specs.

Try this one.

Fosi Audio BT20A Pro Bluetooth 5.0 Amplifier, 300W x2 Wireless Amp​

≤ 0.005%​	THD​	​
≥108dB​	S:N​

So you have verified that this sounds different than any other engineered amplifier run under their clipping? That is a great surprise. Please share the details of how you did this. Thanks!

 

[Svend P]

Just go to any discount store

So you really only judge from price point?

 

[RickS]

Some audio equipment with great specs sounds awful. This why I would never buy something I had not listened to. The sound cannot be entirely determined by the specs.

There is almost no tube amp that can match the "specs" of a cheap solid state amp. I prefer the sound of tube equipment because it sounds more natural to me. I also prefer vinyl to CD but the sound of my current CD player is very close to analog. I probably actually listen to CDs more than records because it is easier. When I want to relax and just enjoy listening to music I put records on my TT.

Look up stochastic noise and resonance. We don't love in an anechoic chamber. That is why good analog equipment sounds "natural".

The irony is that the most expensive solid state amps strive to sound like tube amps. The most expensive CD players strive to sold like vinyl. Why, because natural sound in our normal environment is analog. Analog just "feels" better. You can't measure it, you just know it when you hear it. In fact, my main criteria for deciding on what audio equipment I buy is, "does listening to this this make me feel better?".

Welcome to ASR!

While your opinion is interesting, we have plenty of threads that already discuss this. See here...

Master Thread: Are Measurements Everything or Nothing?

You wonder if those measurements are measuring everything. What if your ear colours the sound and counter coloured audio gear gives a net neutral sound? ooooo. We don't measure "everything" in anything in life. Yet, life goes on as the saying goes. So not sure why measuring everything is a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

A quick search may reveal others that are more appropriate as well.


Everyone, please keep the discussion here specific to the TDA1541. Thanks!

 

[cochinada]

This company has some DACs based on the TDA1541A, ranging from very costly to ultra expensive:
https://sw1xad.co.uk/product_cat/digital-to-analogue-converters-dacs/

 

[proux]

The TDA1541 dac by Phillips was designed in the early 80s. The arrival of digital presented an option for manufacturers. Imo, the only choice was go all in for analog. I had stuck with the valves as my preference was for the warm sound of a mono block with a solid sound stage. I went with the Magnavox cd player with tda1541 dac.

My tube amp is gone (long sad story) my magnavox too (more sad). So I have a lovely NAD 2600A with the mod squad line drive. I added a CD transport and DAÇ that imo, doesn't come close to the TDA1541.

Is there anyone who knows a DAC maker using this chip. Or a player with this chip that isn't outrageously priced.

For those of you aghast that I don't go vinyl, my large LP library was lost in the divorce along with the Rega3 and my dog.

Audial S5 from Serbia, sold in UK by Elite Audio, and the older S4. Don't know if it has been formally measured, but I am one of many people who find it excellent.

 

[Blomquist]

A specific example?

There are numerous. One can modify a simple SMSL SU-1 to sound terrific, much better than all USB-Interfaces from Focusrite, MOTU, Steinberg, etc.
With all these "snapshot-measurements" done here, one can only establish the "minimum" level on what electronics could be sounding good.

The TDA1541A in its standard configuration (revisioned "good" Philips CD-players) is - despite all the measurements - a good sounding DAC.