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All the DACs money can buy, pt. 2 - Page 7

post #91 of 198
11/20/08 at 10:24pm
Stellavox ST2 two channels D/A Converter
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post #92 of 198
2/6/09 at 8:58am
Can we add the Prism Sound Orpheus:

Link

This is another proprietary DAC and possibly one of the best in terms of studio applications. I haven't ever heard anyone say another DAC out performs it! Of course this more than just a DAC but some use it as a stand alone. (The Orpheus uses the same DAC that is used in their more expensive models which are for dedicated DA conversion e.g. Dream DA-2). This could be a final resting place DAC. ~$5,000

Thank you for this great thread!

p.s. if anyone has done any comparisons with this DAC and another of similar price I would love to hear about it!
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post #93 of 198
2/6/09 at 2:59pm
...and a new kid on the block. Ibasso D10 Cobra.

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=39

Main Features:
- PCM2906, converts USB into a S/PDIF signal
- CS8416, DA-receiver chip
- WM8740, D/A chip
- OP+BUF structure for amplification
- 2-Setting Gain Switch for impedance matching (+3/10dB)
- Dedicated MCU (Micro Controller Unit) to manager inputs, outputs, and functions.
- Flexible input and output compatibility. It has USB, optical, coaxial, stereo input, line out, and stereo output
- Works as a combo or a stand-alone AMP, DAC, USB soundcard
- Built-in rechargeable Li-polymer battery plays up to 30 hours (30 hrs for AMP, or 20hrs for combo)
- Measures 55*21*104mm, and weights 168g
- Comes with power adapter, leather pouch, optical cable, USB cable, warranty card, owner¡¯s manual, and opamp rolling kit. (includes AD8656*2, LMH6643*2, Dummy adapter*2)
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post #94 of 198
2/6/09 at 4:03pm
Hi,
Whole Page of Nice DAC's not listed:

CDתÅÌ/DAC

Nice DAC/AMP Combo:

н¨ÍøÒ³ 1


.
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post #95 of 198
2/26/09 at 8:17pm
What is generally regarded as a better dac: Burr Brown's pcm 1792a or the wm8740 from Wolfson?

Thanks,

Jon
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post #96 of 198
2/27/09 at 2:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by clasam View Post
What is generally regarded as a better dac: Burr Brown's pcm 1792a or the wm8740 from Wolfson?
Both are top-of-the-line and not found in too many devices, so I think it will depend on the implementation.
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post #97 of 198
2/27/09 at 2:30am
Does the iBasso D3 & D3 count?
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post #98 of 198
2/27/09 at 5:38am
***WARNING***Stupid Noob Question***WARNING***

Why are some DACs so expensive? ($200+) From what I've gathered so far, a DAC takes a digital/computer signal (1's and 0's) and converts it to a analog signal to be feed to a amp. To me, this sounds like a very simple process, it doesn't try to "improve"/amplify the audio quality, it just needs to change transmission formats. Why do some DACs do this better than others? Why is there so much variety in reported quality?
Sorry if I got it all wrong and I sound like an idiot.

***WARNING***Stupid Noob Question***WARNING***
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post #99 of 198
2/27/09 at 5:55am
Try to find some internal shots of some of these DACs, not that simple. Tack on R&D and marketing and things add up. Oh and the audiophile markup.
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post #100 of 198
2/27/09 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric M View Post
***WARNING***Stupid Noob Question***WARNING***

Why are some DACs so expensive? ($200+) From what I've gathered so far, a DAC takes a digital/computer signal (1's and 0's) and converts it to a analog signal to be feed to a amp. To me, this sounds like a very simple process, it doesn't try to "improve"/amplify the audio quality, it just needs to change transmission formats. Why do some DACs do this better than others? Why is there so much variety in reported quality?
Sorry if I got it all wrong and I sound like an idiot.

***WARNING***Stupid Noob Question***WARNING***
At the Bottom of my Sig file is the Audio-gd REF1 that I'm getting ready to buy, a "Cheap" one.

$200 Expensive!! You're WAY WAY WAY off base there. Expensive DACs are $10,000-$15,000. Now that's an expensive DAC!

.
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post #101 of 198
2/27/09 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Signal2Noise View Post
Does the iBasso D3 & D3 count?
No, because the D3 does not have a line output--it can't be used as a standalone DAC for non-headphone systems.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric M View Post
Why are some DACs so expensive? ($200+) From what I've gathered so far, a DAC takes a digital/computer signal (1's and 0's) and converts it to a analog signal to be feed to a amp. To me, this sounds like a very simple process, it doesn't try to "improve"/amplify the audio quality, it just needs to change transmission formats. Why do some DACs do this better than others? Why is there so much variety in reported quality?
Sorry if I got it all wrong and I sound like an idiot.
R&D of parts, manufacturing cost of parts, labor cost of parts, marketing cost of parts, R&D of the DAC, parts cost of the DAC, labor cost of the DAC, marketing cost of the DAC.

It would be a very simple process except we're dealing with:

1. A finite amount of samples that need an infinite amount of interpolation.
2. Time constraints (i.e. work must be done before the next sample arrives).

44,100 samples per second only approximates the original waveform. It's up to the DAC to guess how to smooth it out. Keeping the timing accurate is difficult because clocking isn't always accurate--this is called jitter. The quality of parts varies in every section of a DAC: DAC chip, power supply construction, wire fault tolerances, etc., etc.

So, it's not simple.
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post #102 of 198
2/27/09 at 8:12pm
Thread Starter 
I've placed many of your additions in the list. I'll work on updating the Pacific Valve, Blue Circle Audio, and Audio-gd stuff soon.

Let me know if you have any info about internal components to add, especially missing DAC chip info. Also tell me if you find any DACs that have been discontinued. Thanks!
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post #103 of 198
2/27/09 at 8:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by infinitesymphony View Post
I've placed many of your additions in the list. I'll work on updating the Pacific Valve, Blue Circle Audio, and Audio-gd stuff soon.

Let me know if you have any info about internal components to add, especially missing DAC chip info. Also tell me if you find any DACs that have been discontinued. Thanks!
Thanx for keeping up with this!

.
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post #104 of 198
2/27/09 at 11:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by infinitesymphony View Post
Both are top-of-the-line and not found in too many devices, so I think it will depend on the implementation.
That completely makes sense, Thanks.

Speaking in generalities, could you describe the differences in sound between the Pcm 1792a and the Wm8740
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post #105 of 198
2/27/09 at 11:22pm
Just wanted to note that the North Star m192 has been updated.

North Star m192 mkII.

Some specs:

Cirrus CS8416 digital receiver
Analog Devices AD1895 digital upsampler
TI 2 x PCM 1796 DB DAC

Inputs 3 S/PDIF (2 RCA coax, 1 TOSLINK), 1 XLR AES/EBU, 1 I2S RJ45
Output Unbalanced 1 pair per channel (RCA)
Output Balanced 1 pair per channel (XLR)
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