[Cousin Patty]

What do you guys think about the Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 DAC? I would want to use it with the digital out of my Audigy 2 ZS and run from the DAC into my Corda Aria. Anybody have any experience with this DAC?

 

[clarke68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Patty What do you guys think about the Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 DAC? I would want to use it with the digital out of my Audigy 2 ZS and run from the DAC into my Corda Aria. Anybody have any experience with this DAC?

I used to have a 205.2 that I liked...detailed & uncolored, maybe a little (and I mean very, very little) crispy in the highs compared to much more expensive stuff, but they're great considering what you can get them for used.

Got a glowing review from Brian Damkroger at Stereophile back in the day, unfortunately that review isn't available online. Great review here, however, by famed mastering engineer Bob Katz.

You don't like the DAC that's built in to the Aria?

 

[Cousin Patty]

I dont use the DAC thats built into the Aria because it makes the music much too quiet IMO. Even with all the volume settings at max on my soundcard and in Foobar, I cannot reach a desirable volume level. I dont think I'm doing anything wrong...am I?

 

[strid3r]

I own the Entech unit and have been using it for over six months now. It is a great little unit for the price I paid. I have not done any direct comparisons with other DAC units, but I prefer it over my modded 0404. I have tried it out of an Audigy 2 as well, and you just have to make sure that you have Foobar resample.

 

[Cousin Patty]

Could you explain a little more about having Foobar resample? What settings to use, why is this necessary etc?

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Patty Could you explain a little more about having Foobar resample? What settings to use, why is this necessary etc?

The audigy resamples everything internally to 48khz. It does a pretty horrible jobe of it too. If you use a high quality resampling plugin (such as the ones included with Foobar) to resample to 48khz then the audigy wont need too. This improves the sound quality a bit.

 

[Cousin Patty]

So, could I start using Foobar's resampler right now and see an improvement? Or would it not matter before I have a DAC?

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Patty So, could I start using Foobar's resampler right now and see an improvement? Or would it not matter before I have a DAC?

Yes. It will make an improvement whether you are using the digital or analog outputs of the card.

 

[Cousin Patty]

What's the difference between the PPHS resampler and the SSRC?

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Patty What's the difference between the PPHS resampler and the SSRC?

From what I understand the PPHS is less resource consuming and the SSRC is the best quality.

 

[strid3r]

I normally use my 0404 for digital, but when I testing the Audigy 2 and did not have Foobar resample, there was a slight overall distortion in sound. It was really apparent in some classical music with strings as it would cause this sort of unnatural decay.

 

[fewtch]

Well, two things to consider about the Entechs -- (A) They're made by Monster Cable, I think (sort of another Bose), and (B) They use Sigma-Delta (1-bit) DACs, which to my ears tend to sound nice but not very realistic, and are not as "audiophile approved" as other DAC types. Neither of these things may mean very much to someone, just thought I'd air 'em out.

 

[Cousin Patty]

Well I'd like to have something 'audiophile approved'. That is why I'm here afterall. What are some DACs that are 'audiophile approved', but at the same time around the same price range as the Entech?

 

[akwok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch Well, two things to consider about the Entechs -- (A) They're made by Monster Cable, I think (sort of another Bose), and (B) They use Sigma-Delta (1-bit) DACs, which to my ears tend to sound nice but not very realistic, and are not as "audiophile approved" as other DAC types. Neither of these things may mean very much to someone, just thought I'd air 'em out.

Uhh.. the Benchmark DAC-1 uses a Sigma-Delta DAC and I'm pretty sure it's "audiophile approved".

 

[Cousin Patty]

This is the bad/good thing about forums, there are about just as many differing opinons as there are people on the forum.