Ibasso 1 bit Discrete portable DAC with Resistors Array D16

[PhenixS1970]

Question regarding how the D16 works: does the source make a difference in sound if connecting via SPIF? For example, since the signal is being processed by the D16, would the dx180->D16 provide the same sound as dx340->D16?

From Twister6:
Using DX180 coax out, the D16 also had a bit sharper and more revealing tonality in comparison to a smoother, more laidback, more analog tonality when using DX340 as a transport while driving the D16 from its coax output.

 

[pwaustin]

From Twister6:
Using DX180 coax out, the D16 also had a bit sharper and more revealing tonality in comparison to a smoother, more laidback, more analog tonality when using DX340 as a transport while driving the D16 from its coax output.

Thanks, I missed that in his review.

So, as I'm trying to understand how this works, can anyone explain why one source would be different if the signal goes through the D16 afterwards? I had always thought that line out (and even the role of the DAC in general) just sends the 1s and 0s and that this doesn't have any impact on the sound itself and that the sound signature is determined by the amp.

Any thoughts?

 

[Daniel59]

Thanks, I missed that in his review.

So, as I'm trying to understand how this works, can anyone explain why one source would be different if the signal goes through the D16 afterwards? I had always thought that line out (and even the role of the DAC in general) just sends the 1s and 0s and that this doesn't have any impact on the sound itself and that the sound signature is determined by the amp.

Any thoughts?

This info I acquired from Chat GPT may shed some light on your question. Yes, the sound data packets streamed from any DAP to the D16 via spdif should be constant, but there’s something else that gets transmitted and then utilized by the D16 that can change the analog sound output by the D16….and that is the clock signal from the source. Here’s a little more detail on this:

Yes, when attaching an audio source to a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) via a coaxial (coax) cable, a clock signal is utilized, though it's embedded within the audio data stream itself and needs to be recovered by the DAC
.
Here's a breakdown:

• S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface): Coaxial connections for digital audio use the S/PDIF protocol, which transmits the audio data and timing information (clock signal) together in a single data stream.
• Clock Recovery: The DAC, upon receiving the S/PDIF signal, employs a process called clock recovery to extract the timing information from the data stream. This extracted clock signal is crucial for the DAC to accurately convert the digital audio data into an analog signal.
• Embedded Clock: Unlike some other digital interfaces (like I2S) where clock and data are transmitted on separate lines, the clock in S/PDIF is embedded within the data itself.
• Importance of a Stable Clock: The accuracy and stability of the recovered clock signal have a significant impact on the quality of the final analog audio output. Jitter (timing errors) in the clock signal can lead to audible distortions, making a good clock recovery mechanism essential in a DAC.

In essence, while a separate, dedicated clock cable isn't used with coaxial connections, the clock signal is essential and is cleverly embedded within the S/PDIF data stream, requiring the DAC to recover it for proper digital-to-analog conversion.

 

[artkillen]

Thanks, I missed that in his review.

So, as I'm trying to understand how this works, can anyone explain why one source would be different if the signal goes through the D16 afterwards? I had always thought that line out (and even the role of the DAC in general) just sends the 1s and 0s and that this doesn't have any impact on the sound itself and that the sound signature is determined by the amp.

Any thoughts?

Yeah, in theory it should work this way. But if you spend enough time with enough various setups, you may begin to hear that everything in the signal chain has an effect on the sound (streaming source, cables, DAC, amp, transducers, etc.). Some people are less sensitive to these differences, just like some people are less sensitive to other external stimuli such as taste, touch, and smell. Doesn't make them inferior audiophiles, just means that they can save some money with less expensive equipment most of the time LOL. But this is a hobby where the listener's experience doesn't always boil down to measurements and theoretical behavior.

 

[pwaustin]

This info I acquired from Chat GPT may shed some light on your question. Yes, the sound data packets streamed from any DAP to the D16 via spdif should be constant, but there’s something else that gets transmitted and then utilized by the D16 that can change the analog sound output by the D16….and that is the clock signal from the source. Here’s a little more detail on this:

Yes, when attaching an audio source to a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) via a coaxial (coax) cable, a clock signal is utilized, though it's embedded within the audio data stream itself and needs to be recovered by the DAC
.
Here's a breakdown:

• S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface): Coaxial connections for digital audio use the S/PDIF protocol, which transmits the audio data and timing information (clock signal) together in a single data stream.
• Clock Recovery: The DAC, upon receiving the S/PDIF signal, employs a process called clock recovery to extract the timing information from the data stream. This extracted clock signal is crucial for the DAC to accurately convert the digital audio data into an analog signal.
• Embedded Clock: Unlike some other digital interfaces (like I2S) where clock and data are transmitted on separate lines, the clock in S/PDIF is embedded within the data itself.
• Importance of a Stable Clock: The accuracy and stability of the recovered clock signal have a significant impact on the quality of the final analog audio output. Jitter (timing errors) in the clock signal can lead to audible distortions, making a good clock recovery mechanism essential in a DAC.

In essence, while a separate, dedicated clock cable isn't used with coaxial connections, the clock signal is essential and is cleverly embedded within the S/PDIF data stream, requiring the DAC to recover it for proper digital-to-analog conversion.

Thanks, I always forget that Chat GPT can give a little more insight than a basic Google search.

Yeah, in theory it should work this way. But if you spend enough time with enough various setups, you may begin to hear that everything in the signal chain has an effect on the sound (streaming source, cables, DAC, amp, transducers, etc.). Some people are less sensitive to these differences, just like some people are less sensitive to other external stimuli such as taste, touch, and smell. Doesn't make them inferior audiophiles, just means that they can save some money with less expensive equipment most of the time LOL. But this is a hobby where the listener's experience doesn't always boil down to measurements and theoretical behavior.

I totally agree and thanks for the perspective. I guess one of the hardest tasks in this hobby is to trust our own senses and ignore the voice in our heads that wonders if that more expensive product might just give a little more detail that the wonderful sound we are already listening to.