Which DAC would you recommend?

[Black_Rabbit]

right length, meaningfully robust, OFC, right gauge. that is all that is needed. one does not need to overthink it

Thanks!

 

[Chrispy]

right length, meaningfully robust, OFC, right gauge. that is all that is needed. one does not need to overthink it

OFC isn't needed, ETP is more than sufficient.

 

[IngMishael]

OFC isn't needed, ETP is more than sufficient.

I know. I just like OFC and that is what I used for my DIY so I am giving my criteria I guess

 

[Black_Rabbit]

I modify my last comment, silver cables will definitely change your wallet. Unnecessarily. Audiophiles tend to be really crazy about stupid cables, which is very sad.

I generally just buy 12g speaker wire (copper and at least ETP, even OFC is overkill) and may add connectors for easy access/changing, covers a wide spectrum of potential use (speaker impedance, length needed). I don't need particular aesthetic, altho easy to do that on your own if you really need it, but paying for pretty cables tends to be very expensive at best. Your criteria is what, though?

There must be no distortion in the transmitted signal, and external noise must be blocked. I have made several LAN cables and connected them directly to wall outlets to listen to the results. I considered CAT5, 6, and 7, as well as whether or not they were insulated. Since long LAN cables can act like antennas by receiving external noise and affecting the signal, the cables must be insulated. I also take care to twist the cables and vent the received noise to the outside through the outlet.

 

[Chrispy]

There must be no distortion in the transmitted signal, and external noise must be blocked. I have made several LAN cables and connected them directly to wall outlets to listen to the results. I considered CAT5, 6, and 7, as well as whether or not they were insulated. Since long LAN cables can act like antennas by receiving external noise and affecting the signal, the cables must be insulated. I also take care to twist the cables and vent the received noise to the outside through the outlet.

So you're not talking about speaker cables, as I gathered from your comment about AR speakers above in comment number 41?

 

[Black_Rabbit]

Before I experienced it firsthand, I felt the same way as you all—wondering what role cables could actually play. It wasn't the interconnect cables or the speaker cables that made a significant change in the sound. It was the power cables. And not just any power cables; try connecting the best power cable you have to your source device, such as a network player or DAC. Back then, as if I were high on drugs, I connected the best power cable I could find to a Wadia 2000 CD Transport, felt a change in the sound, and decided to buy the cable. I still don't quite know why. Currently, I use a Mac Mini as a network player, connected with a custom-made power cable instead of the bundled one, and I am very satisfied. Well, it is all about self-satisfaction. Something I can experience without spending a fortune...

 

[Black_Rabbit]

So you're not talking about speaker cables, as I gathered from your comment about AR speakers above in comment number 41?

Speaker cables and interconnected cables had relatively little effect, but I noticed a change in sound with LAN cables and power cables. So I began to wonder what kind of influence these cables could have.

 

[Chrispy]

Speaker cables and interconnected cables had relatively little effect, but I noticed a change in sound with LAN cables and power cables. So I began to wonder what kind of influence these cables could have.

Your comparison methods are likely more at fault. Changing audible sound via a digital connection or power cable is extremely unlikely (like speaker cable). You been reading hi end blogs/magazines or something as bad?

 

[Black_Rabbit]

When I am deliberating which DAC to choose, I tend to refer heavily to the graphs in ASR's reviews. I try to select from the devices that have been chosen or recommended and have shown good figures. While I admire the sheer number of devices you have tested, I became curious about one thing: what causes the discrepancy between devices that show good figures and those that do not? Is it a component issue, an assembly issue, or a design issue? I am also curious if low figures mean the sound quality is poor. (I understand that this is not a matter of sound quality, but rather a measurement of how closely the digital signal is converted to analog without distortion and close to the original signal.) Since sound quality is a highly subjective matter, I will omit this question.

 

[Black_Rabbit]

Your comparison methods are likely more at fault. Changing audible sound via a digital connection or power cable is extremely unlikely (like speaker cable). You been reading hi end blogs/magazines or something as bad?

These are the results of listening while connecting various cables I purchased. Although it may be highly subjective, I experienced a phenomenon where the background became silent while the sound became clearer.

 

[Black_Rabbit]

Ultimately, I plan to purchase the Benchmark DAC3 B, which was recommended by many members here. I feel reassured seeing the quite good figures in the graphs posted on the ASR Review. Also, looking at the cables sold on the Benchmark Media website, they are not particularly expensive, which suggests that my recommendation was based on the Illusion.^^ It seems like things are mostly coming to a close. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who offered advice.

 

[Chrispy]

These are the results of listening while connecting various cables I purchased. Although it may be highly subjective, I experienced a phenomenon where the background became silent while the sound became clearer.

Still sounds like a poor comparison method (which it just likely is, due the difficulty in doing a good one). Noise would more likely be just be the source, rather than cabling.

 

[Chrispy]

Before I experienced it firsthand, I felt the same way as you all—wondering what role cables could actually play. It wasn't the interconnect cables or the speaker cables that made a significant change in the sound. It was the power cables. And not just any power cables; try connecting the best power cable you have to your source device, such as a network player or DAC. Back then, as if I were high on drugs, I connected the best power cable I could find to a Wadia 2000 CD Transport, felt a change in the sound, and decided to buy the cable. I still don't quite know why. Currently, I use a Mac Mini as a network player, connected with a custom-made power cable instead of the bundled one, and I am very satisfied. Well, it is all about self-satisfaction. Something I can experience without spending a fortune...

This whole claim is highly suspect.

 

[DanielT]

This is a slightly different topic, but there was once a frenzy surrounding cables in Korea as well. I, too, got swept up in that atmosphere and once purchased a high-priced forged silver cable from the Australian company PSC. Ignoring the measurements, I paid a huge amount of money based solely on the two facts that it was forged silver and that air acts as an insulator. I don't regret the decision, but I still have doubts about whether cables really have a significant impact on sound. Since they are passive components, it seems like the best cable would be one that transmits signals without distortion and prevents noise interference... I do remember being fascinated when I occasionally built my own power cables and detected changes in sound on the same equipment. What is the right attitude to take regarding cables?

Cables—ah, cables, and which ones to choose. One of the topics ASR loves to (hate)-argue about. It’s fascinating, really, given that there isn't actually much to argue over—but there you go.

I see speaker cables have already been discussed, so I’ll skip that, other than to say: choose sensible banana plugs—by which I mean ones that are easy to work with and fit snugly into the terminals. Gripping tightly (not too much or too little—in Swedish, it's called "lagom")—assuming you’re using banana plugs at all, that is.

As for RCA cables. I'm bragging a little now but I was the one who gave Amir the idea to make the clickbait video below. I use Amazon Basics myself; they’re excellent.
Summary of the video: No audible difference. The expensive RCA connectors were a bit flimsy to work with:

One issue that can arise with RCA cables is if you have excessively long ones lying around in tangled heaps; in that case, they can pick up noise. Otherwise, it’s nothing to worry about.

 

[DanielT]

If you’re looking to try something completely new, why not check out music mixed in Atmos via streaming?
Mind you, I have no personal experience with it. I do know there are people who enjoy that kind of multi-channel mixed music, though I’m a bit skeptical myself. It might be good, BUT if the mix is just about chasing effects (like a snare drum popping up in the rear channels/speakers every now and then, for instance) it would probably just annoy me.
Atmos mixed music, that’s really a topic for another thread, though.

A bit off-topic—or borderline off-topic—for this thread, but since @Black_Rabbit is considering the new setup, why not? Regarding Atmos again: perhaps something worth trying after all:

I must admit that I was genuinely surprised from the very first listen of the Dolby Atmos version. I was expecting a soundstage that was primarily front-focused, as is often the case with jazz recordings, but this mix takes a very different approach. It creates a wide 180-degree soundstage, taking full advantage of the surround channels to naturally position the instruments around the listener rather than simply extending the front stage. This well-thought-out spatial arrangement gives the performance remarkable openness and realism, allowing each instrument to breathe while preserving the cohesion of the ensemble.

Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – Night Blooms – Dolby Atmos comes to the Rescue of Jazz Dynamics – Reviewed ( Stereo vs Vinyl vs Atmos)

Hello, Released in June 2026, Night Blooms is the latest collaboration between Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. A follow-up to Still Blooming (2025), this album continues the actor and pianist s exploration of the Great American Songbook, blending elegant jazz arrangements with...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Tip:

Is music recorded in Atmos genuine musical creativity, or just cheap gimmickry?

What do you think? Let me elaborate. I visited a friend in Gothenburg this past weekend. We went to a nice progg festival—live music at its best (especially the last two bands). :) But back to the topic at hand: we listened to Atmos recordings at his place. It was impressive, I have to say, but...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[DSJR]

Are they still going on about that "expensive DACs sound better" thing? How do they have the energy?
I say—or rather, Imagination says—it’s:

This summer, I extracted all my four hundred or so 12" singles from the 80s and 90s and have played a good few now. The above was one of them

 

[Bob from Florida]

Silver is just silly. It doesn't change anything.

While cables made of Silver do not sound any different than copper, Silver does have an advantage. As it tarnishes, it maintains its conductivity. If Copper starts turning green, you get a deteriorating connection. The way I get around the Copper connection issue is to crimp the termination, then seal with solder.

 

[Chrispy]

While cables made of Silver do not sound any different than copper, Silver does have an advantage. As it tarnishes, it maintains its conductivity. If Copper starts turning green, you get a deteriorating connection. The way I get around the Copper connection issue is to crimp the termination, then seal with solder.

Or you could just cut the green stuff off and peel the insulation back to expose new copper....and copper even tarnished still retains quite a bit of conductivity....

 

[Bob from Florida]

Or you could just cut the green stuff off and peel the insulation back to expose new copper....and copper even tarnished still retains quite a bit of conductivity....

Too much work. If I seal the copper termination with solder, I never have to touch it again. Silver plated copper gives you the best of both without the added cost of pure silver.

 

[Chrispy]

Too much work. If I seal the copper termination with solder, I never have to touch it again. Silver plated copper gives you the best of both without the added cost of pure silver.

I'd never buy silver, there's no way its worth it at all. Tinning it would suffice, tho. It's just not something that's been a concern for me in many many years of using copper wire at all. Too much work doing it any other way than with good basic copper IME.