What is the function of a DAC?

Norm Apter

Does this stand for "digital to analog converter"?

When people speak of a DAC, are they referring to an independent unit or rather an element within a digital audio component, such as a CD player?

If a DAC is an autonomous unit, then I also have the following two questions:

Where does it fit in the 2 channel audio chain?
What purpose does it serve for those who do use them?

steveinaz

A DAC can be internal (as in a standalone CD player) or an external unit. Some CD players have no internal DAC, they are known as "transports" because they can only send a purely digital signal out.

Some external DAC's can perform much better than the DAC's built in to a component. This is why many people buy externals. You simply hook up your digital source coaxial/Toslink/XLR output to the input of the external DAC. Then the DAC is connected with analog RCA cables to the preamp/receiver/etc.

Presumably external DAC's are built to a higher standard, giving you better fidelity. It's like spitting out a receiver and buying a seperate tuner, amp, and preamp. Another plus with an external is that often it's analog output section is superior to the analog output section of a typical CD Player.

Yes, DAC= Digital to Analog Converter

Norm Apter

Steve, thanks for the clear explanation. I also clicked on your Audio/Video connection scheme and that is a very clear and easy way to see how these things all fit together, although my 2 channel system won't be integrated with an HT system.

I see that you have a Benchmark Pre-amp/DAC. Is that a single item? Is the C.E.C. CD-Transport your CD player? If so, did you listen to it before you added the Benchmark DAC? Just wondering if you noticed a big difference.

I just went back to the specs of my CD player and saw that it has a "192kHz/24-bit Cirrus Logic CS4392 D/A converter" Not sure what that actually means, but since my CD player was only $300 new (Marantz CD5001), its probably on the lower end of things. I'm just thinking out loud here what my options may be.

steveinaz

The Marantz CD players are very respectable.

My CEC has it's own internal DAC's, but I use the Benchmark as I prefer it's sound. I ran the CEC for about 1.5yrs by itself before getting the DAC, it has a very smooth quality to it's sound--very listenable. The Benchmark added some punch and weight to the music, better treble, and a better/wider soundstage.

The Benchmark DAC1 can also be used as a "digital" preamp by flipping a switch on the rear panel (not all DAC's can do this). But it only accepts digital inputs, so you couldn't run anything that is strictly analog, such as an FM tuner to it. This is why I have the Inday digital switch. It allows me to hook up to 4 digital inputs (Toslink/Coax) to the Benchmark. However, my CEC is run directly to the Benchmark via Coax cable for best fidelity (as you see in my connection scheme).

A word about external DAC's. Keep in mind that adding an external DAC won't be earth-shattering if you already have a respectable CD player (and you do). DAC's need to be listened to over a long period of time to really hear and appreciate their effects. The music will typically be more visceral, quieter background, smoother--less grainy treble, and a wider/deeper soundstage--but again, it depends on your choice of DAC and what you're comparing it to. Marantz CDP's have an excellent reputation with Redbook CD, you may never feel the need for an external DAC.

See the pic below, this is the rear panel of the Benchmark DAC1. Note the "Output Level" switch on the left side; setting this to "variable" puts the DAC1 into preamp mode. Leaving it in "calibrated" puts it in standard DAC only mode.

Norm Apter

Thanks for the nuanced assessment. Very clear. BTW, I just sent you an e-mail.

steveinaz

Got it, response sent.

pietro944

very nicely explained by stevieinaz.Another benefit is to get a Dac and headphone amp.There isn't a HT Recr with a headphone input that can compare with a dedicated 'phone amp.
I use the Tosh XA1 as a transport into the Zhalou 2.5 DAC with the Discrete headphone amp upgrade.

Music listening with the AKG 701's is well...Heavenly

zingo

It's true. A lot of people like headphones for the stereo separation. I feel that it's easier for music to sound "good" on headphones than speakers, but the payoff with good speakers is better.

Norm Apter

Thanks guys. Actually, before I bought my Marantz CD player, I had read several reviews that praised its built-in dedicated headphone amp and remarked how good it sounded when plugging Sennheiser HD-595's into the CDP's headphone jack. I think, in the end, I am going to stick with the Martantz (without adding a DAC for now), but I wanted to know if you guys have used Sennheisers or if you have some other kind of headphone to recommend.

pietro944

Norm Apter wrote: »

Thanks guys. Actually, before I bought my Marantz CD player, I had read several reviews that praised its built-in dedicated headphone amp and remarked how good it sounded when plugging Sennheiser HD-595's into the CDP's headphone jack. I think, in the end, I am going to stick with the Martantz (without adding a DAC for now), but I wanted to know if you guys have used Sennheisers or if you have some other kind of headphone to recommend.

keep the marantz.It's rare to have a headphone input on a cd player.But,even this has a hard time with headphones,like Grado,that present a difficult impedance load.

The senn 595 is very good.I have the 600 and the senn 650 is well thought of.I chose the AKG 701 for it's wide soundstage and beautiful high's.It's slightly less up front than the senn 650.

I also have Grado 80's and the 325i..difficult to drive,but sweet.

Don't shortchange in the ear 'phones.
I have the Ultimate ears Triple Fi's.
You could drive them with a flashlight battery...they are that efficient.
Extraordinary listening experience.