Main Problems with DACs??

[Ralf11]

What are the major design issues with modern DACs?

 

(including the analog stage)

 

 

I am wondering what spending $1,000 or $6,000 or $35,000 does in terms of different circuitry.

[wkhanna]

maybe this will help?

 

Part 1

 

Part 2

 

Part 3

[Ralf11]

any thoughts?

[One and a half]

The OP is debating audio quality per pound of product, which doesn't work. If the price you're willing to afford is $3500, what type of sound do you expect? Some designs take years to bring to market, only to be superceded by a simpler technique that requires less parts, but to get to that stage could have taken months, to save $1.99 in hardware.

[jmdesignz2]

What are the major design issues with modern DACs?

 

(including the analog stage)

 

 

I am wondering what spending $1,000 or $6,000 or $35,000 does in terms of different circuitry.

 

As we all know, much of the audiophile world has a bit of hype. So many times, higher cost just means you're paying more.

We'd like to think we're getting better parts but oftentimes we're getting different parts in a gilded case.

 

I can tell you that I never thought there were such audible differences in DACs, amps and the like until I started paying over $1,000 for separates.

 

Major design issues I would classify as system compatibility, room acoustic software compatibility. Power supplies seem to be a really weak point for most DAC's upwards of $4,000 don't come with linear, low ripple power supplies.

 

Another thing to consider is grounding and power line noise issues can make a larger impact on sound than any tech in the DAC's but that's off topic. I certainly hope one has dedicated lines and a properly grounded system if one is spending beyond a few $k on just the DAC...

[4est]

What are the major design issues with modern DACs?

 

(including the analog stage)

 

 

I am wondering what spending $1,000 or $6,000 or $35,000 does in terms of different circuitry.

 

Digital signal integrity including clocks and their power supplies...

[GUTB]

I'd even go so far as to say power conditioning is a requirement for a DAC. Either via a conditioning power cable, a conditioning box, regeneration, supercap / battery powered, etc.

 

 

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