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Do you still believe that all proper DACs sound the same? (alien.top)

submitted 10 months ago by CogSci2022@alien.top to c/headphones@hi-fi.community

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Or did something happen and change your mind during your audio journey?

I would love to hear.

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[–] brandon_feil@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time I designed my own DAC. PCM1704 with ultra low jitter crystals and state of the art low noise linear regulation. It used a discrete floating JFET IV stage using now discontinued but much lauded transistors. It was battery powered so there could be no power line noise.

It was. Joy. Such a fantastically wide soundstage. Highly detailed. Great dynamics. A magnificent experience. Like nothing I had ever experienced.

Then I realized that the RCAs going to my amp were still plugged into my soundcard and the ones coming out of the DAC were just dangling.

I’ll say with complete honesty that the DAC changed my life, just not with its audio quality.

[–] verifitting@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Went through something similar, with same conclusion. Haha

[–] ProcyonHabilis@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah my tube amp sounds way better when I can see it. It must be affected by light, because it sounds even better in the dark when I can better see the pretty glowing tubes.

[–] sjphi26@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Dude this is great.

[–] T3ddyBeast@alien.top 0 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This nearly reads like it is a Rockwell automation promotion.

[–] brandon_feil@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Maybe I forgot the prefamulated amulite?

[–] T3ddyBeast@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

You get me man.