Are DACs Worth looking into?
- Thread starter John Carr
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By digital amp, do you mean an AV receiver with digtal inputs, or a Class D amplifier, or something else?
If the latter, what serves as the preamp? What Sansui units? Are they used with the digital amp, or separately?
What are your signal sources? CD, turntable, computer, tape deck, streaming services, other?
A separate DAC certainly has the potential to improve sound quality, depending upon your current situation.and which one you get.
If the latter, what serves as the preamp? What Sansui units? Are they used with the digital amp, or separately?
What are your signal sources? CD, turntable, computer, tape deck, streaming services, other?
A separate DAC certainly has the potential to improve sound quality, depending upon your current situation.and which one you get.
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You present a false conundrum. A DAC is always required to play digital music. What you may be confused by is every CD player has one. Every AV receiver has one. Smartphones have one.
Are there audible differences across the spectrum of available choices? Absolutely!
Its a matter of budget and system matching.
luckybaer
Thinks The Devil actually beat Johnny
My DAC is used primarily for audio files played from my computer. I also use it with my CD player, but I could live without it there since the onboard DACs on my CDPs are quite capable and pleasant to my ears. My phonostage is also an ADC, so I can run it through my DAC, too - although this is mainly a curiosity for me.
In short, I could run all my sources through my DAC, have it function as a preamp (coupled to an attenuator - like the Khozmo passive preamp I have in one system), and be satisfied.
So, yes, DACs are worth looking into.
However, I wouldn’t assume the DAC will “improve” your listening experience. You may very well like the sound signature of your CDP’s onboard DAC. Running it through an external DAC - even one that measures spectacularly - is no guarantee that you’ll consider what you hear an improvement.
In short, I could run all my sources through my DAC, have it function as a preamp (coupled to an attenuator - like the Khozmo passive preamp I have in one system), and be satisfied.
So, yes, DACs are worth looking into.
However, I wouldn’t assume the DAC will “improve” your listening experience. You may very well like the sound signature of your CDP’s onboard DAC. Running it through an external DAC - even one that measures spectacularly - is no guarantee that you’ll consider what you hear an improvement.
John Carr
Active Member
I am using a avr 1600 from Harman-Kardon with Sansui sp200 and Amazon music
How are you getting Amazon music to the AVR? More specifically, are you feeding the AVR an analog or digital signal?
If analog, you must be converting it from digital to analog somewhere upstream in your chain. If from a PC, then you are using the DAC in the PC. Generally, outboard DACs will do a better job (better sound quality) than the DAC built into your computer. If using a PC as a source, you would want a DAC with asynch USB input..
If digital, then you are using the DAC function built into the AVR. I don't know anything about its quality, but I would guess that a decent external DAC will be better.
But....there are other variables. For example, quality of content; if you are using Amazon's basic music service, the music files are compressed (MP3, or some other lossy encoding). This reduces the potential for significant improvement in sound quality from an external DAC.
Along those same lines...you may have a great DAC, but if you are feeding its output into low-quality amplification chain, you may be wasting your money. Again, I know nothing about the quality of the AVR you are using.
FWIW...the term "DAC" generally includes both the digital to audio conversion function and the first-stage analog amplification function. A DAC can therefore improve sound quality either by its conversion process (there are multiple conversion technologies) and/'or its amplification section (which is most often in the form of an opamp, but in higher-end DACs is made up of discrete components). I mention this because some folks will tell you that a DAC is a DAC is a DAC. In my experience, different DACs have different sonic characteristics.
If analog, you must be converting it from digital to analog somewhere upstream in your chain. If from a PC, then you are using the DAC in the PC. Generally, outboard DACs will do a better job (better sound quality) than the DAC built into your computer. If using a PC as a source, you would want a DAC with asynch USB input..
If digital, then you are using the DAC function built into the AVR. I don't know anything about its quality, but I would guess that a decent external DAC will be better.
But....there are other variables. For example, quality of content; if you are using Amazon's basic music service, the music files are compressed (MP3, or some other lossy encoding). This reduces the potential for significant improvement in sound quality from an external DAC.
Along those same lines...you may have a great DAC, but if you are feeding its output into low-quality amplification chain, you may be wasting your money. Again, I know nothing about the quality of the AVR you are using.
FWIW...the term "DAC" generally includes both the digital to audio conversion function and the first-stage analog amplification function. A DAC can therefore improve sound quality either by its conversion process (there are multiple conversion technologies) and/'or its amplification section (which is most often in the form of an opamp, but in higher-end DACs is made up of discrete components). I mention this because some folks will tell you that a DAC is a DAC is a DAC. In my experience, different DACs have different sonic characteristics.
John Carr
Active Member
I have amazon uhd service and it’s through an hdmi cord to my amp. I think I have come to answer of dacs are worth looking into IF the sound is lacking.
PianotunerNJ
Well-Known Member
I would go out on a limb and say that in my opinion your current system would not greatly benefit from an external DAC. Right now, via HDMI you have decoding for high resolution material up to 24/192. That’s not bad coming from a PC. But, first off, that receiver is kind of low power, and your speakers aren’t well regarded. Although I’ve never heard them, I assume they aren’t revealing enough to exploit the receiver you have now based on reviews I saw online and some experience with similar era stuff. I consider them to be your weakest link most likely. Also, if you use an external DAC to an analog input, you will only be taking full advantage when you run it in “Direct” or “pure direct” mode. Otherwise, the receiver will be re-processing the audio for room correction, crossover and subwoofer integration. So then you’re going from digital to analog, back to digital, back to analog. Once again limited by the receivers capabilities.
These days, for stereo and not surround music which I also enjoy, I prefer to use my DAC which is also a preamp, directly into an analog power amp of at least 100WPC (preferably closer to 200WPC) direct to speakers. In my case mostly Sony APM or recently Sony SS HA3 with a small sub. If you have a sub you can use you have lots of inexpensive speaker options out there that are small but crystal clear, like the Sony HA’s, among others. Problem is they lack bass due to their size, but you have a sub out on that receiver so you can easily manage a sub and bookshelf speakers with it.
one thing to look at to improve your sound from the PC to the receiver is to make sure your media software is using ASIO or WASAPI drivers direct to the receiver and that any windows sound effects are off. There are some online guides regarding best setup of windows for audiophiles.
If I’m you, I am considering a DAC, but probably after I upgrade the rest, or at least the speakers.. When your source material is the weak link it’s time for a DAC. Right now, the DAC that’s built into the receiver is probably as good as most $100 DACs you’ll see out there minus the ability to decode audiophile formats like DSD (amazing). You might consider a more modern speaker first. That’s what I think I would do.
These days, for stereo and not surround music which I also enjoy, I prefer to use my DAC which is also a preamp, directly into an analog power amp of at least 100WPC (preferably closer to 200WPC) direct to speakers. In my case mostly Sony APM or recently Sony SS HA3 with a small sub. If you have a sub you can use you have lots of inexpensive speaker options out there that are small but crystal clear, like the Sony HA’s, among others. Problem is they lack bass due to their size, but you have a sub out on that receiver so you can easily manage a sub and bookshelf speakers with it.
one thing to look at to improve your sound from the PC to the receiver is to make sure your media software is using ASIO or WASAPI drivers direct to the receiver and that any windows sound effects are off. There are some online guides regarding best setup of windows for audiophiles.
If I’m you, I am considering a DAC, but probably after I upgrade the rest, or at least the speakers.. When your source material is the weak link it’s time for a DAC. Right now, the DAC that’s built into the receiver is probably as good as most $100 DACs you’ll see out there minus the ability to decode audiophile formats like DSD (amazing). You might consider a more modern speaker first. That’s what I think I would do.