powermod
New Head-Fier
I can definitely confirm that DACs DO NOT all sound the same. Apart from the USB connection, I should have a pretty resolving system (R26, V550, LCD-5). I can clearly notice a difference between the R26 and a Topping D90 DAC. Both connected via USB.Some say all DACs sound the same. It can true on low resolving systems. MAC is a source of harmful energy. The over engineered USB, combination of noise from superspeed wires, internal Thunderbolt and high voltage power delivery circuits over USB take a hit. And (unless I am wrong) Gustard do not have a common in this price range galvanic isolation on the USB port, so take care of ground loops.
First remove radiation from superspeed wires by inserting USB 2.0 hub between MAC and a DAC. Get a hub with external power supply, so it will redirect MAC ground loops to its own power supply. Cable between MAC and a hub should be very short, not an audiophile grade, but using thick wires. It must not have moulded ferrite beads. A cable to a DAC should have ferrite beads.
Instead of 2.0 hub you can use Ifi Defender or other audiphile grade USB cleaners. Not all them are transparrent to the complicated USB protocol, so start with iDefender.
Next step would be using converters like Douk Audio U2 /Pro. It won't invalidate your existing investment, it should just add value, low-jitter clocks (if you chose such option) and another ground loops redirector stage (after adding power supply).
But I can't notice any tonal difference between different settings of the R26. Therefore I was wondering if my R26 might be malfunctioning (got it used). Or whether these settings do only apply to other input types.
Last edited: