What makes a DAC a "good" DAC?

[RichardCory]

I have seen DACs ranging from $100 to over $1,000, and I'm just wondering what the expensive ones have over the cheaper ones that justify the high prices. (Thinking about about getting a HeadRoom Micro DAC, myself).

Thanks

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

-better quality electrical components (Nichicon, Dale-Vishay, Blackgate, Holco, etc...)
-more input/output options (balanced analogue outputs, digital outputs, AES/EBU, USB, I2S, BNC, etc.)
-more user control of the DAC function (upsampling, phase, jitter reduction, volume control, etc.)
-better looking/more durable enclosure
-more advanced circuit design
-higher build quality (i.e. full multi-layer circuit boards, more attention to detail, etc.)
-better power supplies (seperate digital and anlogue supplies, larger transformers, more regulation, quicker responsiveness to current demand)

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Not to sound too simplistic, but in general, more expensive ones sound better.

However, "better" is still a highly subjective valuation. There are certain $300 DACs that sound as good as $1000 DACs.

-Matt

 

[RichardCory]

Would the HeadRoom Micro DAC happen to be one of them?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCory Would the HeadRoom Micro DAC happen to be one of them?

Not in my experience, likely because part of that $300 has to go to maintaining a U.S. company with fast and friendly customer service

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and though there may be cheaper ways to get better sound, you will end up paying for it one way or another in the long run.

Considering that competiton in the portable, battery-powered DAC market is pretty darn thin, the Micro is a good investment when you consider this more unique aspect. Comparing it to non-portable units is not completely fair, because they don't have to make the same engineering tradeoffs.

 

[RichardCory]

Okay. Assuming $300 is the most I'm willing to spend, is there any reason not to get it?

 

[audioengr]

It's in the design, parts selection, and parts cost, particularly the capacitors. There are some cheaper DAC's out there that sound great. They are probably underpriced or lack some features of the more expensive DAC's. Like all things, you get what you pay for.

It is fairly easy to do a "cookbook" design, just connecting the parts together so they work, but this will likely not be a good-sounding design. There is a lot more to design that just connecting the dots......