DAC Digital Audio Converter

[sc_rufctr]

Educate me on DACs.

I've been shopping for a DAC for some time now and there's a bewildering array of options.
EG: Burr-Brown Chips or others... Bit rates etc...

I want to be able to run my CD player as a transport only to this DAC and then to my Amp.

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I have a "REDGUM Sonofa’GUM SG-5500" and "VAF DC-7 G4MKII" speakers. (both Australian)

I've found one that looks promising yet it's affordable and upgradable. Opinions please.

FULLY UPGRADABLE DAC | 24/192 BITPERFECT | USB 2.0 AND SPDIF | 32 BIT WITH DISCRETE ANALOG
BIFROST Schiit Bifrost Upgradable 32 bit 24/192 DAC [] - $349.00 : Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.

[imcarthur]

There are quite a number of DACs on the market. Burr-Brown chipsets are good as are Analog Devices, Anagram, Wolfson with Cirrus/Crystal at the lower end. I have two DACs on my desk right now . . . you have to listen to them or buy on faith.

If you ever move to a computer-based system playing burned files (better sounding btw) you will want one with a volume pot. Balanced outputs are nice as well if your system/monitors will accept them.

Ian

[sc_rufctr]

Thanks Ian.

I mainly listen to vinyl but I have an extensive CD collection as well. I really don't want to spend big money on a decent CD player.
I can't see myself going to a PC based system although I'll also be using my iPhone through a DAC.

I've also looked at some kits but the better ones are well over a grand. $$$

[imcarthur]

I have been using a Dangerous Audio D-Box, which is a Pro audio summing box with a built-in Analog Devices DAC. Very detailed but limited to 100kHz so 24/96 files were the max. I finally got a sample of our Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus - insert bias disclaimer here - which uses a new Anagram 24-bit/384kHz chip. A bit warmer with a hair more detail than the D-Box - plus it will do 24/192 playback which I wanted.

Ian

[RWebb]

sc_ruf - sounds like your budget is < $1K

if you can state it more specifically, Ian and/or others might be able to help you more

[sc_rufctr]

I'd like to keep it under $800 USD but I am flexible.

I've looked and played with the Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus. Great unit but it has lots of features I won't use and it's made in China. (I know it's designed in the UK)
Not such a big deal but I would prefer something made in the USA or Europe. There's only one DAC that's currently made in Australia and that's over $2,500.

My biggest problem for me is sorting through the techno babble. I soon discovered there are many opinions on what makes a really good DAC.

I like the Schiit one because after reading through their web site they seem to know what their talking about. The guys that formed the company have some really good credentials.
The problem is I don't have access to one locally so I would be buying one without listening to it first.

[mnewport]

I know a bit about D/A converters and have even designed a few. I also hold a patent for a type of circuit used in delta sigma conversion and even provided a little technical assistance to a couple hi-fi manufacturers such as Ayre.

Personally I would look at designs using ESS converter chips, especially the 9018. While there are better DA converter circuits (like the discrete MSB design), they're also way, way out of your price range. I'm convinced the Texas Instruments/Burr Brown guys fudge their specs, and all the others can't come close to the ESS in terms of dynamic range/THD+N numbers.

I could go on and on...

I've heard of the Schiit stuff but never used it.

[imcarthur]

Well, now you are talking a whole 'nother league of DACs.

Consumer DACs are a reasonably hot item but only in the $300-$700 range as consumers discover the very real improvements over the built-in Dacs in their CD/DVD/iDevices. To be honest, you can expect only reasonably minor differences between different chipsets/different manufacturers in that price category. Above that? Well, you can spend north of $80K on a DAC if you really must & a big heap of subjectivity comes into play.

Btw I just d/loaded Bob Marley's Legend in 24/192. Not too shabby for old remastered analogue tapes.

Ian

[sc_rufctr]

The Audiolab M-DAC has a ESS Sabre32 9018 DAC chip and it's about $1,000.
That's good news because a local retailer has them in store so I can listen to it before buying.

Thanks for the input guys.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

so I can listen to it before buying

Always your best plan. Take familiar material to give you a frame of reference.

Ian

[RWebb]

a couple of threads from Google...

Audiolab M- DAC versus Rega DAC - The Art of Sound Forum

Audiolab M-DAC review from the experts at whathifi.com

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Educate me on DACs.

I've been shopping for a DAC for some time now and there's a bewildering array of options.
EG: Burr-Brown Chips or others... Bit rates etc...

Yeah, it's a bit crazy.

A few metrics to consider:

Chipset:
Bit depth/resolution.
Sampling rates.
Distortion & dynamic range.
Source compatibility/needs/inputs (CD, SACD/DSD, DVD-A, etc.).

Clock specs/quality/options (assuming you will be using DAC as master clock).
Somes DAC's have seperate word clocks/outs and even multi-stage clocks (one for 44.1k multiples, one for 48k multiples). At today's rediculously high sampling rates, clock quality/accuracy is probably pretty important.

In addition to chip-set, the quality of the output stage, filters, I/V stage, power supply, etc. needs to be looked at as well.

If you want to save a few bucks, there are lots of DIY kits out there if you are so inclined.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by mnewport

I know a bit about D/A converters

Understatement.

I was going to post a reply when this thread came up with "paging Dr. Newport" but got side-tracked.

Originally Posted by mnewport

I'm convinced the Texas Instruments/Burr Brown guys fudge their specs, and all the others can't come close to the ESS in terms of dynamic range/THD+N numbers.

Interesting. Slight hijack; Any experience/thoughts on the AKM stuff, Matt? They seem to have a decent track-record, and some pretty stout claims on their newer higher-end offerings.

Example:
AK4399|Site of Asahi KASEI MICRODEVICES