Help me understand why I would need a DAC

ohbythebay

ohbythebay

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Sounds like a silly question, right ? But seriously. I don't get it.

My systems sounds equally good playing analog (vinyl) or with a PC or Tablet input playing streaming music, etc.

I have a TON of MP3's (12K) and I know they are lower quality and that I can hear.

But for example, my Surface tablet has a built in Wolfsen DAC...I just output via the headphone jack to the aux input on my pre - for streaming XBOX music.. Sounds awesome...why would I need a DAC ?


I really want to understand, am I missing something ? IS this more for music FILES conversion from PC to system of should it be for streaming also ?

Does it really sound that different ?

Thanks in advance...You guys know me and this is just a blind side for me...LOL
 
A high quality DAC allows for a higher retrieval of digital signal from digital files and the subsequent better conversion to analog signals. A DAC is also more than its D2A chip - it has a separate power supply, features, connections, etc. all contributing to the benefits of a separate DAC.

My iPod has a DAC - that doesn't mean I would hook it up to my system (I have and it sounds like sh!t - thin and nasty). My squeezebox has a DAC and it wasn't terrible....but I prefer to take the digital out of it and into a higher quality DAC.

Everything that is digital, will have a DAC or you would hear something similar to that of a fax machine! However, the quality of the DAC corresponds to the quality of the out coming analog signal.

Truthfully, I would focus on some decent 24/96 DACS from 2 or 3 years ago. They sound great and can be had cheap and 24/96 resolution sounds great (some say better than 24/192). But you ideally want one with a USB input, or else you will need a SPDIF to USB converter (an added expense).
 
I have found that there are no differences in the "quality of DACs" in and of themselves. Where the difference lies is in how they are executed or built in to said gear. My Onkyo CDP had a Wolfsen DAC and when I got my Marantz CDP it has a cirrus DAC, but blows the Onkyo out of the water in sound quality and what it is able to extract and that's just a CDP, not even into the 24/192 or whatever! I found that it was all in the way it was executed. Had they incorporated the Wolfsen DAC in the Onkyo the same way, it would have sounded exactly like the Marantz.
As for needing a DAC, I have the same question as Rob. Personally, the only reason I would need an outboard DAC or what have you is if I were wanting to play 24/192 files and such. Having it for CDs or MP3s and such would be a total waste.

Oh, yes, the high-end fax machines are great to listen to by the way! LOL! Just kidding!
 
So Mike and MD...let me understand. Even though my Surface has a pretty good ONBOARD DAC, an external might sound better? I would then USB OUT of the tablet to the DAC to the system.

SO here is question 2. since I am primarily listening to STREAMING music, not files, will I get a benefit ? Is it going to bypass the internal DAC or will it literally be DAC to DAC?

Again, thanks
 
Mike said:
For streaming - save your money.
Click to expand...

I will..lol...but why ? Not high enough bit rate ? Or because of the transfer method ?

XBOX music
Audio quality: 192-kbps WMA streaming; 256-kbps streaming for à la carte digital downloads
 
Ouch....LOL...Not garbage...

The audiophile in me knows its not the quality of my vinyl rig...which I would sit and listen to...but I never SIT and listen to streaming...its more background, mix music ...not sit in my chair and groove on every nuance...18 million selection...I would never even dream of trying to capture higher def files for audiophile listening...but that is just me....

Thanks for the advice and for SAVING me a ton...lol
 
I'm kinda thinking the same thing. Since waiting for my new vinyl rig I been using a CD player .
Now I went and bought a couple cds and they sound...well , I had to check if my ears were bleeding. Lol harsh and bright. But it's also not a great player.
But I have a couple cd'a that were burned from (mike and Bob) I'm guessing hi Rez files.
Those CDs sound awesome. I want more of that!!!
 
ohbythebay said:
Ouch....LOL...Not garbage...

The audiophile in me knows its not the quality of my vinyl rig...which I would sit and listen to...but I never SIT and listen to streaming...its more background, mix music ...not sit in my chair and groove on every nuance...18 million selection...I would never even dream of trying to capture higher def files for audiophile listening...but that is just me....

Thanks for the advice and for SAVING me a ton...lol
Click to expand...

If you have Spotify high res - its 320kbps. It's ok. But to benefit from a DAC - try 24/96.
 
If you are Happy what you hear without the separate DAC.

I wouldn't bother with it. You might asking for more trouble :)


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Yeah...well for me , think it would be wasted. My Surface to system sounds really good so why mess if I am not going to really gain on the streaming front. Its background after all.

Now my vinyl...that I went for the best (to me in my price range)...Can't compete with Mike WArbucks and Jeff Trump...LOL

Just teasing !
 
ohbythebay said:
So Mike and MD...let me understand. Even though my Surface has a pretty good ONBOARD DAC, an external might sound better? I would then USB OUT of the tablet to the DAC to the system.

SO here is question 2. since I am primarily listening to STREAMING music, not files, will I get a benefit ? Is it going to bypass the internal DAC or will it literally be DAC to DAC?

Again, thanks
Click to expand...

If you like the DAC in your tablet, stick with that. Unless your streaming Hi Res files. I have a Nexus 7 and that DAC in it is not to be trusted, in other words, it sucks. I have a Squeezebox Touch that has a surprisingly good DAC setup in there somewhere. Since I only stream MOG and the like, I can't get any better. I don't think it will do HiRez files, so in that case a separate DAC capable of that would be needed.
 
Rob...it's all been said :D For CD resolution (i.e., 16/44) and up, a well implemented outboard DAC will be a substantial improvement over the internal DAC in your tablet - no question. I would bet even for 320kbps resolution files, you will hear a difference in SQ. Below that resolution, prolly not worth futzing about with it.
 
Makes sense guys...It was a blind spot for me as to whether I was missing out on something. Since I don't use audio files but mostly stream (when I am not spinning vinyl that is....) , then I am good to go....

Yeah !!! I don't have to spend money on more toys...umm...at least not a DAC..."-)
 
ohbythebay said:
Makes sense guys...It was a blind spot for me as to whether I was missing out on something. Since I don't use audio files but mostly stream (when I am not spinning vinyl that is....) , then I am good to go....

Yeah !!! I don't have to spend money on more toys...umm...at least not a DAC..."-)
Click to expand...

+1. Good to hear :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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