Why so many DACs?

And if you can afford it, worth every dime! It’s on an entirely different level even from others costing similar. We have a few members with it.


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Devg said:
yes, just for little more price to behave like a true preamp with multiple analog inputs - they don't come for free like Nagra does :)
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How many digital inputs on the Nagra?


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A lot of DACs do not "need" a pre-amp, but many people prefer using a pre-amp. My T+A DAC 8 DSD (retail $4200) has an excellent pre-amp with an excellent volume control.

"A volume control is another unusual feature in a DAC, but it makes good sense if the user wishes to install active loudspeakers, or employ the DAC 8 DSD as a pre-amplifier in conjunction with external power amplifiers. The volume control is of highly refined design, and exploits analogue control elements down to low volumes, as they avoid any loss of dynamic quality even at low listening levels. Two gold-contact relays are provided to by-pass the volume control, i.e. it can be removed entirely from the signal path when not required."

However I still prefer using my ARC pre-amp.
 
Until the MSB, I thought all volume controls in DAC’s weren’t even at the level of a cheapie preamp like the JOB. The one on the Berkeley and others was just not good. Preamp definitely needed. The Lampi, as the exception, wasn’t all that bad.

The MSB changed my view on this. It can hang or beat some of the best I’ve heard. I will admit, a preamp can add some certain characteristics, not the least is dynamics, tonal coloration, etc. Will be interested to see how the Premier sounds as a VC.
 
I agree with the comments that there have been major improvements in DACs in the last 10 years.

As the digital technology has become better understood, more companies are capitalizing on that knowledge and are bringing out more digital products such as music players and DACs.

A $10k top of the line digital preamp from 8 years ago with a premium DAC (at that time), can now be bested by products costing a tenth of that. That is good news for consumers.

Also today there are music players that can do file upsampling and add filters previously unavailable to a regular consumer. Several of the new DACs can process those files and make digital music sound like it never had before. It is good news in the digital front.
 
nicoff said:
Also today there are music players that can do file upsampling and add filters previously unavailable to a regular consumer. Several of the new DACs can process those files and make digital music sound like it never had before. It is good news in the digital front.
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Not only s/w based upsampling with different taste of filters/modulators, a true 64-bit dsd wide volume control can also be achieved in the s/w that can potentially eliminate the need for a preamp if you don't need multiple analog inputs.

Digital is advancing very fast and its an interesting time for the consumers. Recently released iFI iDSD Pro can do DSD1024 :rolleyes:
 
Randy,

I agree with the concept of the hot market and everyone jumping into the market to cash in.

In your case, the reason why you have or had so many is that you can't make up your mind. :D

Hope all is well with you!
 
Yamaki said:
Randy,

I agree with the concept of the hot market and everyone jumping into the market to cash in.

In your case, the reason why you have or had so many is that you can't make up your mind. :D

Hope all is well with you!
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yea, yea :D... the T+A is something very special!
 
still-one said:
And it does't play in the same sandbox as the top of the line MSB or dCS nor as good of a pre-amp as the Nagra.
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Jim, I haven't heard the top of the line MSB*, dCS or the Nagra preamp, and probably never will, but I don't play in sandboxes either.

Have you heard the MPD-8 DAC in your system?


*I did hear a DAC IV, when Nick Bedworth was on Maui.
 
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