Best DAC for bassheads?

[dizzyorange]

Which DACs offer exceptionally deep, strong bass?

 

[meat01]

I believe the differences in bass are greater in headphones than in DACs. If you like bass, I would adjust it in the tone or headphones rather than a DAC. DACs generally try to reproduce the frequencies the way they are received, rather than adding more bass or more treble.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyorange /img/forum/go_quote.gif Which DACs offer exceptionally deep, strong bass?

As you asking for bass that sounds like a real bass, or just something that punches you through the back of the chair and upsets the neighours?
For overblown uncontrolled out of sync bass, add a naff sub.

For a decent bass, I'd suggest that a good starting point is a Behringer 2496 SRC. Stupidly cheap for something that can compete easily with much more expensive gear. Get it modded and it's up with some seriously good kit.

 

[finbad]

^Although, I'm Very impressed now, how much more appearant (yes really increased) and textured bass response I'm appreciating with my k701 , now with the MHDT inline vs SB3 (AO) or even the SACD ce595 before/after... Caveat being, I haven't heard other DACs with which to compare.... Yes, some DACs as well as amps will allow the same can to reveal frequency responce which was otherwise not represented to the listner. Ergo, it is a good valid search...IME

Good luck~

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

You don't need a DAC, you need an EQ.

Electronically/digitally speaking, lower frequencies are easy to decode and not much distortion is introduced, the op-amp's performance (if there is one) would be more relavent, and to that end it's been said that chips from Burr Brown are especially warm sounding.

 

[dizzyorange]

Hmm that is interesting. Am I correct in understanding that bass response doesn't differ much from DAC to DAC?

In my own experience (with very inexpensive DACs), I found that the EMU 0404 reproduced bass deeper in the low frequencies than an AlienDAC, which in turn was better than a Silverstone EB01 and Creative Audigy.

Maybe after a certain point in upgrading, the bass ceases to change and only the higher frequencies are affected?

 

[granodemostasa]

I do think that bass response differs from dac to dac. The thing is, however, that the biggest difference makers in how bass behaves are the amp and headphone.

This being said, the Bel Canto Dac-3 has the meanest bass of any Dac I've ever heard, on subtle levels it made my VDA-2 sound sloppy, unfocused and soft by comparison.

food for thought: a Dac-3, silver cables, to a dynamight to a PS-1 (or L3000 or Ultrasone ED9) would be sick.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by granodemostasa /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do think that bass response differs from dac to dac. The thing is, however, that the biggest difference makers in how bass behaves are the amp and headphone. This being said, the Bel Canto Dac-3 has the meanest bass of any Dac I've ever heard, on subtle levels it made my VDA-2 sound sloppy, unfocused and soft by comparison. food for thought: a Dac-3, silver cables, to a dynamight to a PS-1 (or L3000 or Ultrasone ED9) would be sick.

its also 2,400..

 

[rincewind]

The above posters are more or less right RE cans and amp having a large impact, but it still depends heavily on what you feed em. You've already got decent cans and amp with enough resolution to go low and hard if given the signal. I would personally stay away from DACs with tube output if you want DEEP bass, I think it's generally agreed solid state (usually) has lower reach (irrespective of quality) and my listening would say the same. Also, since you already have a tube amp I wouldn't go tube DAC too, as you would lose a little at each end of the spectrum. I've found the NOS DACs I've heard/owned to have very low punchy bass compared to OS DACs of similar price range.

Also, once you've got a DAC, give a burnt in K701 a whirl - I found the K701 to go deeper (and higher) in outright frequency than the HD650 (comparing both being driven properly) but the HD650 has the nice mid-warmth that the K701 doesn't (but I don't miss it, the K701 is more 'nimble' for faster bass, HD650 simply couldn't keep up on some of my music, IMO).

 

[darkless]

My Stello DA220 MkII has a lot of tight bass, more than my AQVOX D/A MkI or the monitor out of my RME DIGI96/8 PAD soundcard. This is evident even when listening through my admittedly poor receiver (still waiting for my new amp).

 

[Herandu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rincewind /img/forum/go_quote.gif Also, once you've got a DAC, give a burnt in K701 a whirl - I found the K701 to go deeper (and higher) in outright frequency than the HD650 (comparing both being driven properly) but the HD650 has the nice mid-warmth that the K701 doesn't (but I don't miss it, the K701 is more 'nimble' for faster bass, HD650 simply couldn't keep up on some of my music, IMO).

I don't own a K701, but your HD650 comments are exactly the same observations I made. I use a mod on my TC-7510 DAC to add more bass to my HD650.
The K701 needs a headphone amp that runs off a + and - power supply rail of at least 15V based on that 600 ohms impedance. The TC-7510 MKIII without its headphone output restrictions, but with the bass mod makes my HD650 come to life when having to reproduce bass responses below 50 Hz. But I reckon the K701 needs an even higher output signal level than any of the DACs on the market can reproduce through the headphone socket.

 

[Azure]

Kind of related, but I'm looking for a DAC that adds the most weight to the bottom end for under $800. I've done a little bit of reading, and it seems that the Stello DA100 might do me well (with the SA5000s)?

I realize that a source will not change headphones, blah blah blah; I'm just looking to add a bit more oomph to the bottom end at the same time that I upgrade my source (the SA5000s could always use more oomph, so I figured I might as well look for DACs that do well in this department).

 

[Herandu]

If you are looking for more low down oomph for the headphone, that's a different requirement to asking for more oomph from the line outputs Which one is it you need?
As far as the line out side of things is concerned: The CD spec is 20 Hz to 20Khz. If a DAC can't deliver that basic performance then it is not good. Nobody should have to spend big bucks just to get an accurate frequency response from their DAC. The extra costs should be for the nice case and expensive connectors, plus that added weight of the thicker cabinet metal

.
Luckily for me my TC-7510 can re-produce my reggae bass notes with wall shaking accuracy. I don't think a DAC costing 5 times more can crack my walls instead for the extra price hike.

 

[d-cee]

my DAC-AH has great bass, it's modded though