Wolfson 8741 vs 8776 vs Burr-Brown 1792A

[WaveRider69]

What's best? 
 
I listen to aggressive music of all styles, dance, pop, techno, house, etc, female vocals, etc.

 

[eugenius]

The chip isn't so important, but has some influence. For example, all wolfsons sound smooth but lack dynamics and attack.
 
From what you listed,  bb 1792a is the best. That doesn't mean it can't sound crap if implemented wrong.

 

[WaveRider69]

Very interesting!  Even if just a bit of influence, dynamics and attack are def important
 
How would you describe Cirrus Logic?
 
Thanks

 

[eugenius]

Cirrus logic - high resolution and a little bright
Analog Devices - good dynamics and speed, slightly harsh
 
All these are my personal impressions, personally for electronic music I would get AD or if it's not available, BB.
 
PS: There are no multibit soundcards, so in order to get real sound quality, you have to get a DAC.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Properly implemented, the differences between modern, high quality DACs are incredibly small to inaudible. That doesn't, of course, stop audiophiles from hearing them as dramatically describable.
 
P

 

[Currawong]

I would honestly stop pondering what chip is best. The power supply and output stage in the DAC are considerably more important. You can buy a DAC with dual WM8741s from between $200 and $3000, the difference being everything other than the DA chip used.

 

[eugenius]

The DAC chip counts ... it's wrong to stop caring about what chip you get. You just have to understand it's not the most important thing.
 
BTW, the Linn Klimax DS has dual Wolfson WM8741 DAC chips ... and it's a lot more than 3000, more like 15000.

 

[vrln]

Personally I feel the DAC chip, while it´s only part of the puzzle, it is a significant part. At least it´s the easiest to evaluate as a consumer. Especially in modern delta-sigma chips that pursue a "system on a chip" example with an integrated SPDIF receiver (Sabre32 in particular).

 

[bixby]

It is best to listen to a dac then talk about what chip it uses.  Do what you can to evaluate dacs, not speculate on which dac chip is the best.  Heed the good advice of Currawong and Eugenius.

 

[WaveRider69]