Most noticeable DAC upgrade over a Chromecast Audio

[tlite]

Nope. I don't need it. But might want it.

Lots of DAC vs. Chroemast DAC threads out there. Not trying to rehash the insanity.

Just want to know what DAC's y'all think truly sound better to the naked (nude, dare I say) human ear.

Graphs and charts are fine- but I'm more looking for, "yeah, 75% of normal people would say that sounds better...."

My use? Don't limit answers because of this but if you must know... FLACs on Plex burned from CDs (wirelessly but bluetooth not a must) and a Marantz turntable. Plex files currently going through Chromecast(s).

Maybe something like TIDAL in the future but not yet.

 

[gvl]

All reasonably well implemented DACs sound much the same. Those who state otherwise never attempted to tell the difference in a blind test. If anyone thinks I'm wrong and you did a controlled level matched experiment and were able to recognize a DAC with some statistical significance please speak up.

Pick a DAC with the features you need for the money you want to spend and don't overthink it. ASR has plenty of data on DACs that should help to avoid particularly bad ones.

 

[GChief]

Feeding my CCA into an SMSL-M8A, Modi-2U and a Bifrost where all noticeable improvements (mostly clarity and detail) over the stand alone CCA.

Edit: Just looked in my Audiophool/Geek equipment comparison notebook. I also noted the Bifrost as having a better sound stage than the others.

 

[tlite]

How much do you want to spend?

I'm pretty open on budget, but tend to go for the "most improvement for the money" options. I.e. once I get to the point where the incremental perceived improvement for spending additional money really becomes kinda small, I'd rather go for the "good" option versus the "perfection" option if that makes sense?

Also FWIW I plan on feeding this all ultimately into a Marantz 2235 with Triangle BRO8's.

My music server from my PC - using Daphile currently - - yes that is 7081 LP's

Holy smokes. You win.

 

[gvl]

AND YES I DID A CONTROL MATCHED BLIND TEST - my wife was in control, so she knew which one was which, I didn't.

What DACs were you comparing, how did you match levels, and how were they switched, and how times you picked one correctly and the total # attempts?

Many custom R2R DACs perform badly technically, so yes they can sound different. Those that are NOS will definitely sound different, but NOS DACs are not proper DACs anyway.

 

[GChief]

I stated what I said, it is my opinion and I know others, on this forum, also have the same opinion. Your opinion is fine for you but it is not a fact, it is an opinion.

I am done discussing with people who want to find flaws in other people's opinions because it doesn't align with there's.

Cheers and Enjoy.

I analyzed sounds from 0-24khz aurally and processed video displayed with .00hz @ .00 sec resolution for over 20 yrs. Was also deeply involved in human hearing studies and the resulting Aural Recognition (critical listening) course (development and teaching of) that came from these studies. The things most of us cite as being different are easily discernible by a trained/experienced human ear. This whole objectivist POV makes me LOL often.

 

[GChief]

If people point to ASR as being a good source of measurements, I will say that them banning Andrew Jones because he disagreed with Amir on how he measured one set of his speakers, just shows that what they do is not objectivist but subjective as data is data and if wrong people should admit it.

Yeah, I was excited when I found ASR, before I knew better, in my younger days, I was a numbers mean everything guy so I thought it was going to be a cool site. But being someone that maintained sound processing gear for over 20 yrs I quickly became disillusioned with their approach and methods.

 

[gvl]

This is so typical. When challenged to do a proper blind test people get offended and throw back their years of experience. Whatever, keep talking about analog stages and USB chips if that what makes your boat float. I've done some blind tests and it was convincing enough, all the differences you think there are simply disappear. Do I have golden ears? No, but most people don't have either, even if they think they do

 

[GChief]

This is so typical. When challenged to do a proper blind test people get offended and throw back their years of experience. Whatever, keep talking about analog stages and USB chips if that what makes your boat float. I've done some blind tests and it was convincing enough, all the differences you think there are simply disappear. Do I have golden ears? No, but most people don't have either, even if they think they do

IME with actual tests of human hearing and teaching over 2500 people (18-40 yr olds) you fit in with the majority that cannot differentiate the fine details, so I agree with your most don't comment as I have experienced it first hand in 3 studies and teaching. That said many of those can be trained to hear at the 'golden ear' level, I did it for 3 yrs, and then there is the non-scientific observation that if your on this site you probably have a better chance of being one of those that can out of the box.

 

[gvl]

IME with actual tests of human hearing and teaching over 2500 people (18-40 yr olds) you fit in with the majority that cannot differentiate the fine details, so I agree with your most don't comment as I have experienced it first hand in 3 studies and teaching. That said many of those can be trained to hear at the 'golden ear' level, I did it for 3 yrs, and then there is the non-scientific observation that if your on this site you probably have a better chance of being one of those that can out of the box.

Impressive. Can you please report on your DAC blind test experience?

 

[GChief]

Impressive. Can you please report on your DAC blind test experience?

No need for a blind test it actually very basic analysis. I used technics that I have been trained in and used for over 20yrs and are the excepted norm in that realm of study and analyst.

Last I will reply as we are way off topic

 

[gvl]

No need for a blind test it actually very basic analysis. I used technics that I have been trained in and used for over 20yrs and are the excepted norm in that realm of study and analyst.

Last I reply as we are way off topic

This was a predictable response. No one who posts their "expert" opinions here bothers to confirm them with a simple blind test. Just like I said earlier. Whatever, have fun people.

 

[GChief]

This was a predictable response. No one who posts their "expert" opinions here bothers to confirm them with a simple blind test. Just like I said earlier. Whatever, have fun people.

And FYI a version of "blind testing" (it was more blind teaching) was used all the time in my classroom and lab. I understand your point but also know its not required for the differences most of us are speaking about.

 

[gvl]

I understand your point but also know its not required for the differences most of us are speaking about.

It is not required, as long as we all agree they are the imaginary kind.

 

[GChief]

It is not required, as long as we all agree they are the imaginary kind.

Lol whatever. Have a good one

Good thing we know your opinion and "experiences" are the only ones that matter and others don't

 

[gvl]

Just to be clear, I'm talking about DACs that meet certain levels of technical performance. Under-performing DACs can indeed sound different.

 

[Yamaki]

My preference in DACs tends to be driven by the chipset used. And I've used a lot of them.

Bottom line is, to my ear, any DAC with an ESS chipset in it sounds best.

YMMV

 

[tlite]

Crikey. Too far down the rabbithole- really trying to again get a sense of what DACs you've tried that when compared to a CCA, most people would say- "yeah, that sounds a lot better."

All opinions (however scientifically or unscientifically derived) are valid and helpful to me- I'd warrant that any recommendations coming from this group will help get me in the ballpark.

But again, if the DAC just gets me "Meh, kinda better than the CCA" I'll probably just forego it altogether. Wish it were easier to try before buying with this stuff.

-T

 

[tlite]

It would help if you actually post where you are. It might help get some AKers to help to audition so you can get an idea of what you want and what to look for.

Ah! Thought I already had but that was another thread. I'm in Winter Park, FL (Orlando)!

 

[gvl]

But again, if the DAC just gets me "Meh, kinda better than the CCA" I'll probably just forego it altogether.

The CCA is pretty good already, so yes the meh reaction is possible. Start small. Get a Schiit Modi3+ and connect it via optical to the CCA. It's a very good performing DAC, spending more money is unlikely to yield audible improvements, so by this you'll get a sense how other uncolored DACs stack up compared to the CCA.