Does the source matter with a DAC

[nalayvel]

Sorry. I'm confused. An electronic signal leaves your computer and enters the DAC. The signal exits the DAC and heads for the amplifier. At that point, does the original source have any effect on the sound at all? Wouldn't identical rips sound the same whether they came from a MAC or PC, laptop or desktop?

 

[One and a half]

both rips from a MAC or a PC should be the same. I say this cause there are two accurate ripping algorithms that most if not all ripping programs use.

When you rip a CD, the ripper software compares the contents its ripping to a database of the same, named CD. All is good, if the two match, so we are all confident that a successful rip is made. For the pains of this world, it's VERY CLOSE if not exact.

The signal that comes from a computer, mac or PC is PCM code, this is universal, feeding a DAC, no issue.

The variability to the sound comes into being with the players, the OS, the hardware within the computer, and the interaction of both with the DAC. That's where changes to the original occur, plus the audio chain itself...but you didn't ask for that!

 

[barrows]

Yes, unfortunately the source matters.

 

[sq225917]

sadly everything matters in greater or smaller amounts.