Recommend me a DAC
- Thread starter s_zigmond
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Cambridge Audio DAC Magic, one of the few DAC's built in enough volume to offer economies of scale to the consumer hence a non boutique price tag.
Probably only DAC available at the moment that won't make the user suffer from the psychoacoustics associated with the I've cryogenically treated my cables have and have no taste/perception of good sound crowd.
It has filters so you can tailor the sound to that of other DAC's that employ roll off filters to give that warm, not how it's meant to sound, analogue sound if you don't like it flat.
In flat mode the response kicks the ass of most sub 1k equipment.
Don't be fooled into thinking really expensive stuff offers more of anything except BS and a shiny case.
One of the only ways to better it is to have a proper broadcast transport with a proper digital output, a central clock and then a DAC. The only low jitter solution.
Audio rant over and breathe.
Probably only DAC available at the moment that won't make the user suffer from the psychoacoustics associated with the I've cryogenically treated my cables have and have no taste/perception of good sound crowd.
It has filters so you can tailor the sound to that of other DAC's that employ roll off filters to give that warm, not how it's meant to sound, analogue sound if you don't like it flat.
In flat mode the response kicks the ass of most sub 1k equipment.
Don't be fooled into thinking really expensive stuff offers more of anything except BS and a shiny case.
One of the only ways to better it is to have a proper broadcast transport with a proper digital output, a central clock and then a DAC. The only low jitter solution.
Audio rant over and breathe.
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IF you can find one - the TAG MCLaren Audio 'DAC20' retailed at around £1200 and can be picked up, sometimes NOS for around £200 - £300
The was an Audiolab equivalent - 8000DAC
There are also hundreds of 80's/ 90's DACs in the secondhand market, all of varying quality.
Please be aware though that they will only decode 2 channel PCM information upto 48kHz (If I remember my figures correctly). They will not be able to decode multi-channel audio.
Some upsample, some have other party tricks, the best will have good RF suppression. However, they will only be as good as the source material, so if you have a poor source, RF and digital artifacts will mean that the sound will be poo
(from wiki: A digital artifact is any undesired alteration in data introduced in a digital process by an involved technique and/or technology.)
The was an Audiolab equivalent - 8000DAC
There are also hundreds of 80's/ 90's DACs in the secondhand market, all of varying quality.
Please be aware though that they will only decode 2 channel PCM information upto 48kHz (If I remember my figures correctly). They will not be able to decode multi-channel audio.
Some upsample, some have other party tricks, the best will have good RF suppression. However, they will only be as good as the source material, so if you have a poor source, RF and digital artifacts will mean that the sound will be poo
(from wiki: A digital artifact is any undesired alteration in data introduced in a digital process by an involved technique and/or technology.)
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Skeelsie":1o7r6mfb said:
I was spoilt by having a DVD32R and an AV32R which reclocked its info at the processor - the DVD transport retailed at around £4500, losing the company about £1500 on everyone sold!
Properly implemented designs can be very expensive to manufacture in low volume. A well known UK manufacturer had to rebuild all its Chinese sourced stuff as it was unsafe to sell in the UK.
some good 'ole '80's sillyness:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Arcam-Delta-Black ... 500wt_1182
the Cambridge Audio DAC Magic:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cambridge-Audio-D ... 192wt_1165
things like this wipe the floor with cheap chinese designs:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ultra-rare-Kenwoo ... 500wt_1182
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mrkawasaki
Retrobike Rider
Following on from this topic, I have a faithful TEAC transport and DAC - would it be worth experimenting with other DACs at this stage or will I not surpass the original?
Mr(s) K
Like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Teac-VRDS-T1-CD-T ... 500wt_1182
Mr(s) K
Like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Teac-VRDS-T1-CD-T ... 500wt_1182
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I doubt you can do much better with what you already have without changing the transport.
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just a note all - if the music wasnt produced very well at the studio - no amount of home equipment will make it sound any good.
