DAC in A/V amplifiers

[Samuli]

Are they generally any good and which units have a good one?

To make sure I'm not misunderstood: I'm talking about those home theater amplifiers one can feed with optical/coaxial signal.

 

[chillysalsa]

Eh, you generally get what you pay for as with everything else.

The ones in the NAD recievers like the T742 and up are ok, they use Crystal's D/A chips and the design is done pretty well. Sound is certainly unoffensive anyway. I certainly can't say the same for the mass-market stuff from cheaper brands.

 

[soundboy]

Some manufacturers specifies which company's D/A converters are used in their receivers, but most don't. Several months ago, I purchased a Sherwood 6108 A/V receiver for $85.00 brand new in the box. It uses a Crystal Semiconductor D/A, which was visble through the vent on the top of the receiver, that can accept and decode 24/96 signal inputs. The same DAC was used in Rotel pre/pro's. I returned the Sherwood because I decided to stick with 2 channel stereo. Otherwise, the Sherwood would have been a "steal".

 

[markl]

The answer is "it depends". Generally speaking, as you step up the line in receivers they will have better and better digital sections with better parts quality including DACs, along with higher and higher power output capabilities (more watts/channel) of course. My Denon AVR-5800 has an absolutely fabulous digital section, you could live very happily with it for music as well as movies, of course that's not a cheap piece. Depending on your budget, you might look at a Denon AVR-3803, it's a terrific receiver that retailed at around $1200 but can be had much cheaper now. Excellent digital section, my dad uses this in his HT rig.

Mark

 

[eyeteeth]

For a dual purpose DAC in an A/V receiver think lower priced SONY. Of course it's primary purpose is to peel wallpaper and paint from walls, via optical link! I know, I was once in this unfortunate position, not too long ago. A baptism by fire into how truly awful music can sound.

 

[chillysalsa]

One thing to remember, is that the DAC chip doesn't make as big of a difference, as how it's implemented! The analog amplification after the signal is converted from the DAC is the critical consideration, and is where the real money is spent. You can look up the cost of BurrBrown, Crystal, and Wolfson DACs, and you will find the chips cost $0.20 - $5.00, the real cost is the design and selectio of components after the DAC.

 

[aos]

Marantz SR-5200 (I think) has the CS4392 (Crystal) DAC (at least for the front channels and/or non-surround sound). I think it also uses NE5532 style opamps, and it definitely uses a large 40 or so pin DIP chip for input selection and volume control, of which I found datasheet (it's so-so). I opened it once, toying with the idea of replacing the opamps but decided against it. As for its D/A section, just about any DAC I have beats it, but it has a good power amp. I bought it when I got my speakers to be a stop-gap until I have money to get an audiophile grade amp. It's been two years and that still hasn't happened...

 

[immtbiker]

Checkout the Pioneer Elite VSX-53TX :

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...046366,00.html

The whole line had an excellent review in Stereophile Magazine last year and the MSRP of $1500 can be gotten for ~ $700 now. In the review, it spoke of of the high quality Burr-Brown DAC's and areas of isolation between all the components. It weighs about 50lbs. I have very high end components and I pre-out all of the amps except for the center channel. But the unit is no less than spectacular. You can convert all of the inputs to 24 hi-bit resolution.
It is a 7.1 DD and DVD-A and SACD multichannel player. PM me for more info.

I have the 47tx which is now called the 53tx and is available at Crazy Eddie (where I purchased it online), for $673.00

http://store.yahoo.com/crazyeddieonl...nelvscusm.html