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In the Forum: Didital Things
In the Thread: Really Expensive DACs?
Post Subject: Sound ValuesPosted by Paul S on: 11/4/2026
Jarek, I say the DAC is a big deal, at least for CDs, which makes it +/- an opportunity to use it to get the sound how you want it. The excruciating thing is trying to figure out what in the chain is homoginizing things to where you cannot distinguish or choose 1 DAC over another. Like I reported years and years ago, back when I used a 1541-based Sony (ES333?) player over some other players that offered "more information" because the way the information was presented trumped "more", until I found my present CD transport and DAC. I sympathize with your situation, as it turns out that even the effing cords and cables make for audible differences. Anyway, I am able to choose what I prefer. OTOH, if you have no preference, go for what is cheapest, easiest, most consistent, etc. Cartridges and speakers are transducers, so, yeah, changes there can be pretty obvious. And then we get back to rote electrical operation and inter-compatibility of components, not forgetting that something as complex as a DAC is actually a pile of interactive components. Cartridges are a great example of how important operating parameters can be. Sub-optimal anything can make for sub-optimal sound where "the cartridge could do better". Topology and optimizing a given topology matter in terms of sound, and they can be so manipulated, at least for those who can hear it and who care about it. I think DACs are pretty sensitve to power problems, for instance, and older threads indicate I am not the only one who finds this. I chose to "eliminate rectification", mostly to make it easier on myself. Naturally, someone else might hear it differently and deal with things differently. Up Differences!
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site