Addons, i.e. regen, reclock, isolate - are they needed?

[Ralf11]

Yes, you might try their 2 or 3 DACs.  I've heard the 2 is a big increase over the 1.

 

I also suspect add-ons help (or help more) with DACs that lack top notch engineering (i.e not Benchmark)

[Ralf11]

6 hours ago, pkane2001 said:

 

Lean and analytical is usually the result of a frequency response imbalance.  Sometimes it's caused by impedance mismatch between DAC/preamp or preamp and amp. Rarely it's something that can be fixed by USB addons.

 

Try to measure and DSP your system, you'll find this much more enlightening and satisfying than deploying various addons with unknown and unproven properties. 

 

 

REW is free and a mic is $90

 

IIRC, Uptone has a return policy

 

I suspect the mix of response you are seeing is the result of improvements in DAC interface designs and cost...

[Ralf11]

4 hours ago, kennyb123 said:

 

You mean there are some who don't have information and knowledge deficits?  There are some who have perfect knowledge and a perfect understanding of what's involved here?  

 

I'd rather be counted amongst those with the humility to acknowledge that I don't have it all figured out - instead of among those with the hubris to think their information is complete such that they can state with absolute certainty that USB add-ons can't improve the sound quality of a particular DAC.

 

I wonder what those with perfect knowledge do in their spare time?  I guess while I'm listening to music they must be creating new life on other planets using their spare mental capacity?       

 

pure mathematicians, pre-Godel

[Ralf11]

But dancingbrain has debunked blind testing.  Even the FDA is going to drop it