The future of consumer DACs - What would YOU like to see the most?

[RandomEar]

In recent review threads, I've got the impression that the latest offerings in the DAC & DAC + HP amp category have gotten a bit boring in the technical sense: Most measure exceptionally well, with very few or minor flaws - apart from the occasional trainwreck, which we shall disregard for the purposes of this poll. My impression is that especially chinese manufacturers like Topping, SMSL or Gustard seem to focus mostly on pushing measured performance closer and closer to the boundaries of available analyzers, while increasing prices to go with it. However, improvements seem to have gotten so small, that audible differences are questionable.

From an economic point of view, I understand their strategy: It has worked well for them in recent years and as long as people pay a big premium for +1 dB in SINAD, there's little incentive to change it. However, from the consumer point of view, other aspects may become more important if most available devices are "good enough" in terms of measured specs and have no audible flaws anymore. I know a couple of things I'd like to see instead of a higher THD+N or dynamic range and I'd like to know your opinion on this topic!


Similar thread (but specific to Topping and without a poll):

What do you want to see from Topping..?

Given that the guys are pretty active on the forum, seems as good a place as any to suggest future projects that we'd like to see as potential customers... For me, I think one of the things that gets me about Topping is that their form factor varies seemingly at random, meaning it might look a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DonR]

I think the SINAD wars are pretty much done and dusted, especially for anything over $100. I would like to start seeing DSP and more outputs.

 

[JayGilb]

I would like to see larger cases that don't get pulled off of a shelf after hooking up a few interconnects.

 

[tuga]

I would like the ethernet card to become a standard input on desktop DACs, maybe an interpolation-filter bypass mode as well, for those of us who use external up-sampling/-conversion.

 

[MCH]

Good initiative. I bet you can get as many different answers as users are here.

My suggestion would be as simple as a regular usb/spdif in dac with 4 channels output.

Dsp and all that on a computer or a pi

Make a pro version if you want with 8 channels or volume control and call it a day!

 

[Vini darko]

I think the SINAD wars are pretty much done and dusted, especially for anything over $100. I would like to start seeing DSP and more outputs.

That's what I voted for too.

 

[DVDdoug]

My AVR does everything I want and it decodes all of the standard DVD & Blu-Ray formats and the built-in DAC is multi-channel (5.1).

I've never owned a stand-alone DAC and the only time I've had a "complaint" was with some noisy soundcards.

 

[danadam]

I would like to see larger cases that don't get pulled off of a shelf after hooking up a few interconnects.

Would you consider an audiophile brick to solve this problem? ;-)

 

[bkdc]

Quality control and intuitive interface for me. Multichannel and DSP falls into the category of a AV processor. The level of complexity has gone up. A lot.

 

[MCH]

Quality control and intuitive interface for me. Multichannel and DSP falls into the category of a AV processor. The level of complexity has gone up. A lot.

You need at least 3 channel to integrate a simple sub. I see most folks here doing x-overs and room correction for stereo systems. I don't think that is only av territory at all.

 

[JayGilb]

Would you consider an audiophile brick to solve this problem? ;-)

Only if it has untestable magical properties and costs more than the equipment it is holding down.

 

[Zim]

EQ and DSP please. Severely lacking options and multiple price points.

 

[iamsms]

DSP (controllable from PC or phone), Bluetooth, multiple usb inputs (pc and phones), multiple duplicate outputs maybe for trying out different amps, a waveform display of sort, built in power supply.

 

[AdamG]

Multichannel Streaming DACs with multichannel outs. Improved streaming service engagement and seamless integration across platforms.

 

[Lambda]

I want my DAC to be DAC only with an stupid interface like I2S, toslink, ADAT... and its balanced mono output shuld be Galvanic isolated form its digital input.
And i want a separate "DSP" box with display that can control lots of DACs to build an multi channel/way system.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

RME ADI-2 DAC FS has everything covered nicely, thanks!

 

[mightycicadalord]

It's a damn crime most dacs dont come with at least one configurable EQ on their outputs.

 

[AlephAlpha001]

I would like to see larger cases that don't get pulled off of a shelf after hooking up a few interconnects.

Darko Acme Door Stoppers holding for you on Line 3.

 

[RandomEar]

Interesting that multichannel support is third place right now. Did not expect that. I have to agree that this would essentially make it an AVR - but I don't think it's an invalid request. My assumption would be that the members who voted for it would like to get an AVR with "flawless" DAC performance (+ DSP & DIRAC, I suppose). Like an Okto DAC8 PRO, but actually in stock Not an unreasonable request, I'd say.

My preferences would be (in the order of importance)

• Subwoofer out + capable DSP crossover
• Better quality control & (local) support
• Integrated EQ
• A bit more love for the UI and the overall industrial design

I hope @DonR is right and "the great SINAD wars" are over. I would prefer more of the above mentioned features going forward, without skyrocketing prices.

 

[threni]

None of the above.

I'd quite like it if they had a reasonable sized, clear, white on back display would could be controlled by the attached USB device. Either via html or a bitmap, such that I could send album/track/volume/bitrate/etc as I see fit for a consistent display regardless of whether I'm driving it by a Pi (most of the time), PC etc. I can use EQ on the source device, and there's nowhere else in the chain (amp, nas, headphones etc) which can drive a display or is located somewhere I can see it.