Audio DACs

[solarrdadd]

did a little bit more testing on my little Fii0 DAC this weekend. i tested it with the two resolutions that i wasn't sure about namely 88.2 & 176.4

even though it's not listed, the DAC does in fact play 88.2 without a problem. having said that it will not play 176.4 files of any type so i need to stay away from those. keep in mind those two resolutions are listed as not supported (by not being listed in the supported frequencies). which is cool. i only have a couple of them. the majority of my hi-rez collection is 96, 88.2 or 192khz

i'll be using this DAC for a Squeezebox Touch in my car so it's plenty good. i also do plan on using another SBT (if this one works out, expecting it to be delivered today) in my house and connect it via spdif to an XDA-2 (hoping to pick one up at emofest) and connect the XDA-2 to my pre-amp via XLR which should give me some super, super nice hi-rez audio.

i'll keep you guys updated as things progress. if things go well with testing, once it's done i'll throw up some pictrues of the DAC installed in the car as well as the XDA-2 installed in the house!

[rarredoa]

Originally Posted by Hammie

What is a DAC?

Simply put, it is a device which accepts a digital audio signal (via USB, optical toslink, or digital coax) and converts the signal to analog.

A DAC is found in most electronic devices that have digital inputs (HDMI, Optical, coax, USB). These devices will take the incoming digital audio signal, convert it to an analog signal, send it to the amplifier (internal or external), and then on to the speakers.

In addition to the above devices, which includes receivers and pre-amp/processors (Pre/pro), other electronic devices can also have a DAC built in. CD, DVD, and Blu-ray players also have DACs which can send the signal to the receiver or pre/pro as an analog signal via the RCA jacks (or XLR in higher end devices).

However, the electronic devices that have DACs do not stop with just the above mentioned devices. Computers, mp3 players, tablets, and video games systems also include DACs.

So there you have the basic definition of a DAC and where they can be found. For a more detailed explanation of how they actually work, I am hoping to either put something together at another time, or find something that has already been done.

Why a DAC?

Without DACs, any digitally encoded sound would never be heard. The human ear cannot decode the ones and zeros of a digital sound. It can only process an analog sound wave. Therefore, a conversion needs to be made.

But more importantly, why do I need an external DAC if I already have one in so many of my other devices? They are in my CD player, receiver, computer, iPod just to start.

Well, the DACs in those devices may not be considered “high end” or even “mid end.” So the sound may be lacking, flat, or distorted. Another reason may be that you don’t have a device with a built-in DAC. There are CD players that only have an optical or coax output. As well as, BD players that only have an HDMI output. Additionally, you may have an integrated amplifier that only accepts analog in signals.

If your source device doesn’t have a DAC or you are running entry or mid level electronics, you may want to offload this conversion to a box dedicated to this function. The use of this device is often used in the audio world and is becoming more and more popular with the popularity of high resolution (24/96kHZ and above) digital audio.

Currently, the most common connection type is the optical toslink, but as asynchronous USB is becoming more available due to computer connectivity, this is quickly becoming the connection of choice.

As you research various DACs, do not assume that the marketed sampling frequency applies to all inputs -- coax, optical, USB, or AES. There are still many DACs deployed with only 24/96kHz or lower on the USB port and 24/192kHz on the other ports.

What are some DACs that are available?

Below are the various DACs that I have come across by either personal research or suggestions by other forum members. I have them broken out into price ranges for easier reading.

$5001 and above:

• MSB Platinum Signature DAC IV ($20,000)
• Playback Designs MPD-5 -- 24/384kHz Async USB ($11,000)
• EMM Labs DAC2 ($9500)
• Wavelength Crimson ($7500) w/ Volume Control (+$750)
• Playback Designs MPD-3 --24/384kHz Async USB ($6500)
• Chord QBD76 ($6000)

$2501 - $5000:

• Berkeley Audio Design Alpha ($5000)
• Audio Research DAC8 ($5000)
• Wavelength Cosecant ($3500) w/ Volume Control (+$500)
• Naim DAC -- 24/768kHz Async USB ($3500)
• Bel Canto 3.5VB ($3,500)
• PS Audio PerfectWave DAC ($3000) w/ PerfectWave Bridge -- 24/96kHz Async USB (+$800)
• Weiss Dac2 -- 24/192kHz Async USB ($3000)

$1001 - $2500:

• Ayre QB-9 -- 24/192kHz Async USB ($2500)
• Bryston BDA-1 -- 24/48kHz Async USB ($2200)
• Bel Canto DAC 2.5 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($2000)
• SimAudio 300D -- 16/48kHz Async USB ($1800)
• M2tech Young -- 32/384kHz Async USB ($1800)
• Wavelength Brick -- 16/48kHz Async USB ($1750)
• Calyx DAC 24/192 -- 24/192kHz Async USB ($1500)
• Wyred4Sound DAC-2 -- 24/192 Async USB ($1500)
• Lavry DA11 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1500)
• Wadia 121 DAC -- 24/192kHz Async USB ($1500)
• CEntrance DACmini PX -- 24/96kHz Async USB + Headphone Amp + 25w 2-channel Amp ($1500)
• Bel Canto DAC 1.5 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1400)
• Benchmark DAC1 USB -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1300)
• Lavry DA10 ($1200)

$501 - $1000:

• Rega DAC -- 24/192kHz Async USB ($1000)
• MSB Nelson Link III -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1000)
• Benchmark DAC1 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1000)
• Wyred4Sound DAC-1 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($1000)
• Onkyo DAC-1000 -- 32/192kHz Async USB ($950 est. - Japanese release only so far)
• April Music Stello Signature DA100 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($900)
• CEntrance DACmini CX -- 24/96kHz Async USB + Headphone amp ($800)
• PS Audio Digital Link III -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($800)
• Musical Fidelity M1 DAC -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($700)
• Music Hall DAC 25.3 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($600)
• Halide Design DAC HD -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($550)

$500 and below:

• HRT Music Streamer Pro -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($500)
• Arcam rDAC -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($480)
• Peachtree Audio DAC-iT -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($450)
• Cambridge Audio DAC Magic -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($430)
• CEntracne DACport -- 24/96kHz Async USB + Headphone Amp ($400)
• Halide Design devilsound DAC -- 16/48kHz Async USB ($350)
• Grant Fidelity TubeDAC -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($325)
• CEntrace DACport LX -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($300)
• Emotiva XDA-1 -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($300 - Discontinued)
• Musical Fidelity V-DAC -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($250)
• HRT Music Streamer II -- 24/96kHz Async USB ($149)

NOTE: I’ll try to add links to their manufacturer product page when I get a chance.

Please feel free to share any other DACs that you may be aware of. These just happen to be the DACs that I have come across in my search for a dedicated DAC. I have not included any DIY DACs in my list.

I am trying to justify purchasing an outboard DAC. However, I have a question

1) A DAC is simply taking a digital signal and creating an analog small-signal that can be amplified. In theory, if I understand correctly, high-quality DAC will only be worth it, if the studio-master uses high quality analog-digital-conversion. What are the recording studio standards when creating the digital studio-master recordings in terms of sampling frequency and bit-size?

2) How can a 96 khz/16 bit sample take advantage of an outboard DAC of 192 khz/24 bit capability?

Hypothetical questions, not sure how realistic my scenarios are.

[PTplayers]

Picked up this Dac off my dealer which you can add to the 500.00 and below list .

Nice sound dac with great reviews .

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...e-399-miracle/

http://www.micromega-hifi.com/index....=article&id=26

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by PTplayers

Picked up this Dac off my dealer which you can add to the 500.00 and below list .

Nice sound dac with great reviews .

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...e-399-miracle/

http://www.micromega-hifi.com/index....=article&id=26

I read that review last week. Sweet!

[PTplayers]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I read that review last week. Sweet!

Ya for a few hundred dollars it sounds pretty good as i cannot afford the naim Dac .

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by PTplayers

Ya for a few hundred dollars it sounds pretty good as i cannot afford the naim Dac .

Have you heard of the Metrum Octave? It's apparently the reference under $1000.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/metrum_octave_e.html
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/metrum/1.html



John would be happy to hear it's made in Netherlands.

[PTplayers]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Have you heard of the Metrum Octave? It's apparently the reference under $1000.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/metrum_octave_e.html
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/metrum/1.html



John would be happy to hear it's made in Netherlands.

Hi , i have not but it looks interesting with the power supply being separate.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PTplayers

Picked up this Dac off my dealer which you can add to the 500.00 and below list .

Nice sound dac with great reviews .

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...e-399-miracle/

http://www.micromega-hifi.com/index....=article&id=26

looks great rob. congrats.

[WBMakeVMarsMovieNOW]

Benchmark DAC1 PRE is pretty good especially for driving headphones where it is amazing!

0.1 Ohm headphone out jack.

[Jim Hawkins]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

did a little bit more testing on my little Fii0 DAC this weekend. i tested it with the two resolutions that i wasn't sure about namely 88.2 & 176.4

even though it's not listed, the DAC does in fact play 88.2 without a problem. having said that it will not play 176.4 files of any type so i need to stay away from those. keep in mind those two resolutions are listed as not supported (by not being listed in the supported frequencies). which is cool. i only have a couple of them. the majority of my hi-rez collection is 96, 88.2 or 192khz

i'll be using this DAC for a Squeezebox Touch in my car so it's plenty good. i also do plan on using another SBT (if this one works out, expecting it to be delivered today) in my house and connect it via spdif to an XDA-2 (hoping to pick one up at emofest) and connect the XDA-2 to my pre-amp via XLR which should give me some super, super nice hi-rez audio.

i'll keep you guys updated as things progress. if things go well with testing, once it's done i'll throw up some pictrues of the DAC installed in the car as well as the XDA-2 installed in the house!

Hi solarrdadd,

I have been catching up on this thread and to my surprise you review a DAC that I have. Small world. I have used this DAC off and on with my PS3 and have enjoyed it. When tested it against my pioneer player I did notice some differences.
I used my Rockets hooked up to my Yamaha M45 power amp and set the gain controls at a quarter volume. I set my PS3 to output through optical. Hooked that up to the little DAC. Then analog to the amp. I burned to copies of the same album and played only the first 45 seconds of a song going back and forth between the player and the DAC. The player had noticeably more bass, detail and dynamics. I actually had my wife with me and she confirmed all of this.

Is this surprising? No. Is it really fair to compare a $30 DAC to a (MSRP) several hundred dollar universal disc player? No.
What is really cool is that it proved a valuable point to me is that there is a difference in the quality of a DACs. Great bang for the buck by the way.