Dac?
Pycroft
Posts: 1,960
Hi all,
Does a DAC only improve sound quality if you are using a computer setup? I've never seen a DAC, so not sure how they work, but does it improve music played through a CD or SACD player? I'm asking because I'm looking at high quality integrated amps, and some have DAC's built in, and I'm not sure if that's something I even need. I have no interest in making a computer based system, just CD's
James
Does a DAC only improve sound quality if you are using a computer setup? I've never seen a DAC, so not sure how they work, but does it improve music played through a CD or SACD player? I'm asking because I'm looking at high quality integrated amps, and some have DAC's built in, and I'm not sure if that's something I even need. I have no interest in making a computer based system, just CD's
James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
Comments
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Hi all,
Does a DAC only improve sound quality if you are using a computer setup? I've never seen a DAC, so not sure how they work, but does it improve music played through a CD or SACD player? I'm asking because I'm looking at high quality integrated amps, and some have DAC's built in, and I'm not sure if that's something I even need. I have no interest in making a computer based system, just CD's
James
Like DSkip said, it takes a Digital signal and makes it a Analog signal. Both computers and CD players can send audio out as digital. However most cd players CANNOT send SACD out over digital. They send it out over RCA.
Depending on what integrated amp you are looking at they might not have DAC's in them. If they only have RCA inputs, then they DONT have a DAC as they only take a Analog signal not a Digital one.
If you are looking at just CD's it might make the most sense to look at getting a nice integrated without a Dac. This allows you flexibility to change which DAC you use as technology advances, or you get the itch to try something else. This way you can upgrade your DAC w/o having to upgrade your integrated."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Hi all,
Does a DAC only improve sound quality if you are using a computer setup? I've never seen a DAC, so not sure how they work, but does it improve music played through a CD or SACD player? I'm asking because I'm looking at high quality integrated amps, and some have DAC's built in, and I'm not sure if that's something I even need. I have no interest in making a computer based system, just CD's
James
It likely depends on the age and design of your current source. They have made continuous improvements almost on a yearly basis. Probably the main thing is how critical of a listener you are. If it's for background music it's probably not going to be as noticable. If you sit in the sweet spot and close your eyes and feel there is something lacking or something that annoys you with your current solution, you might be a better candidate. I would say most DAC's in AVR's or integrated's would probably not satisfy a real audio snob.2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones -
I have a Peachtree Decco65 and have my PC hooked up vis USB so I can play all my loss-less files through it, it takes a driver to do this and doesn't go through the Sound card. also have my cd player plug in using the optical so it uses the DAC also. My DAC in it doesnt support DSD files that you can download now.
But I did see that Marantz has a new SACD (SA8005) that has a DAC that can so I been looking at getting one of these when they are out. (heard maybe Feb ?)2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD -
If you want to dip your toe in the water, cheap, try a FIIO DO3K DAC. $27 from Parts Express. Great little unit with both digital and coax out. I have this one and am very happy with it. Have not compared side by side with my Arcam rDac.....but that was over $400.
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The benefit of most integrateds is the combining of the pre amp and amp stages. The dacs are for the most part an after thought in them. Separate dacs obviously would gain you more benefit but then again cost more too.
Most higher end dedicated cdp's have some good quality dacs in them. If your using the Sony to do so, I suggest simply moving up to a better player. Just me, but I was never taken with the Sony sound in their cdp's or receivers.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
On my Pioneer elite sc27, i used the internal dac from my old cdp, coax out to the elite, and it did make a difference on the sound of the cd's. What kind of cdp are you running?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
