I live in the good ol' United 🇬🇧 Kingdom, and I bought a Minisforum GK41 Windows 11 Mini PC for £129.99. I installed the latest version of Exact Audio Copy (v1.6). I did a test rip of a CD to FLAC, using a generic external £10.00 USB-powered optical drive (identified as a TEAC device). The result was PERFECT FLAC files from computer equipment costing £140.00, all ready to be decoded by my lowly Cambridge Audio Dacmagic, and reproduced via my British Musical Fidelity Amp, and Mordaunt Short Speakers!
@dipanjanbiswas6580
15 күн бұрын
As always, thanks a ton for that very crucial and enlightening guidance
@connorduke4619
15 күн бұрын
One small detail here - Esoteric/Teac arguably combines in a single casework, world leading transport and Dac technology (using their own custom Dac chips) in one! Nobody buys these units to connect to a "better" external Dac, because such effectively does not exist. Expert Dac reviewer Tharbamar has stated easily the best Dac he has heard was from an Esoteric CD player. "Giant killer" audiophile products are rare, but in the world of transports and Dacs, the Teac VRDS-701 for 2,500 Euro has rave reviews from both professional reviewers and users alike, and when you look at the engineering under the skin, it is no surprise why,
@nathanevans6277
12 күн бұрын
Although I agree that the dac is the more important part the transport is still very important. My good friend has Denafrips Terminator Plus dac and the matching Avatar transport. He also has the top Pioneer 4K bluray player. The Terminator sounds notable better using the Avatar when using the same coax digital interconnect. Adding the clock link between the dac and transport and using a high quality hdmi lead took it to another level. Just for fun we plugged my Topping E30 dac (£149) with outbound linear power supply into the Avatar. It sounded massively better than when using it with my £200 Samsung bluray player as a transport.
@babubabu12345
15 күн бұрын
Nice Information
@manitoublack
15 күн бұрын
Note there are only 3-ways to get access to the SACD layer (excluding using a gen-1 PS3 and some jank hooked up to a pc... But that's another story) 1: use a SACD player with an internal DAC and send the signal via RCA or XLR cables to a preamp. 2: use a Bluray dvd player like the Sony UBP-X700 (or gen-1 or 2 ps3) that can send the encrypted DSD signal over HDMI to a DAC/AVR/integrated to be processed. (My personal solution with an Onkyo RZ-50) 3: use a PS Audio or other SACD player with i2s connected to a compatible DAC. For reasons that escape my simpleton mind (as well as Andrew Robinson's,) hifi OEMs seem staunchly against adding hdmi connections to their preamps &/or DAC's. Despite the overwhelming commercial/market desire, penny's to implement and securitiy. But no issue. Simply use an excellent AVR like the Sony ES-9000 or Onkyo RZ-70 for access to the full SACD surround experience (its worth it) or a brilliant integrated 2-channel like the Yamaha N2000A. All which use the excellent ESS ES9026PRO Sabre DAC chip. Best of all. You can get away with an old PS-3 or $150 Sony UBP-X700 (or something more up market for better aestheticas but not sound) as a transport and the Yamaha N2000A is only $4000USD. So can take your wife on holiday with the $3000 saving. 🎉. (Use a $30 optical HDMI 2.1 cable if concerned about RF interference or ground loops in the cable) Lastry, such a solution will allow you to play bluray Pure Audio high bitrate pcm/DTS-Master/Dolby True-HD (multi channel and atmos😒/DTS-X) releases. + Your favourite concerts on DVD or Blu-ray. Whats not to like👍. Jordan.
@infinite1der
14 күн бұрын
While most (especially the higher-end) AVRs can sound pretty good with their built-in DACs, outputting the digital data (even standard PCM, as Paul suggests) to a dedicated DAC is leaps and bounds beyond what the AVR can do. It's not just about which chip is inside; the sonic differences between DACs using *the same* chip can be incredible. Now granted, I've yet to see an external DAC that can do multichannel DSD. So, if that's what you're after, an AVR is about your only bet. Still, a good transport that can send i2s plus to high quality DAC for 2-channel listening should be the goal, IMHO.
@fredericbrunet3155
14 күн бұрын
@manitoublack I have both a Sony UBP-X800M2 and a Yamaha R-N2000A. I wish I could do the same as you describe, but I haven't succeed yet. I see the player read h the DSD or PCM High Res format, but it's strictly outputting in to PCM 16/44.1, as shown on the screen, and confirmed by the "display info" function on the receiver. How do you get your result? I wish I could do it myself, but I ran all my options, tried for hours without success.
@troyvan6952
8 күн бұрын
What gives you the better sound? RCA connects or HDMI? I'm facing same dilemma, Yamaha blue ray player that supports SACD into Yamaha AVR, both units have 24/192 DAC HDMI out to HDMI in? Or RCA out to cd ( RCA) in?
@philipheyes607
15 күн бұрын
Crucial to understand many SACD players are unable to make use of an external DAC for playback of the SACD layer.
@ptg01
15 күн бұрын
I2S is the way to go but it's a minefield... Wish he had clarified how to connect an external DAC to play DSD layer of an SACD player.
@manitoublack
15 күн бұрын
That's because DAC makes won't implement HDMI (which since 1.3a in ~2006 can carry the encrypted DSD signal.) Despite its obvious advantages over SPDIF. Like 8-channels @ 24-bit 192kHz, DSD... And eARC.
@ptg01
15 күн бұрын
@@manitoublack I think you may be mixing HDMI (for audio/video) with I2S (that sometimes uses HDMI connectors/ pinouts). They are incompatible. Same physical medium but totally different info. Can not mix and match. I do know some bluray players can play SACD and outputs using normal HDMI to a receiver. I don't consider a receiver internal DAC, an external DAC.
@willyleavitt-pe1cw
15 күн бұрын
@@ptg01 Bryston makes one of the few high end dac’s that uses HDMI to input DSD . Combined with an OPPO universal player it solves the issue. A narrow set of choices unfortunately.
@joeb4349
15 күн бұрын
Yes, I failed to consider this when purchasing my McIntosh MCD600 CD/SACD player. This player will not allow the SACD stream to be output to anything other than Mc's inferior DAC.
@joelowens5211
15 күн бұрын
I had one of the highest end SACD players from DCS. It's about 25k. I hardly used it. I bought PS Audio's studio reference super CD's. Sounded better than my old CD's but still NOT EVEN CLOSE to my Vivaldi APEX streamer. Now I can tell you from Qbuz and Tidal etc. the quality of the recording is as much or more important than the rate at which the FLAQ file plays. I found the 48/96 to sound much better than the higher FLAQ files. Occasionally you will find an amazing one in the lower FLAQ file range. So not everything will sound amazing. Esoteric is a good brand. Before spending money you need a good store owner to see your space and current equipment to really give suggestions. There is just as much or more value in the company selling you a certain brand than the quality of the brand itself. Some brands are good but when you have a problem their service sucks or the store dealer does not do what they are supposed to do.
@mikeg2491
15 күн бұрын
I’ve demoed numerous 192khz album rips and for the life of me I just can’t tell the difference even on high quality headphones. It stopped me from jumping on the SACD train and I’d rather put that money towards accumulating more pre-mid 90s brickwalled CDs which sound utterly fantastic on my chord DAVE. Like you said, masters are everything.
@tattednyctrkman8119
15 күн бұрын
I have a ARC Cd 9. It’s both a great DAC and transport.
@MisterChibs
15 күн бұрын
I LOVE DACS!!!! Just saying 🍻
@gamelovers11223
14 күн бұрын
DAC is the way to go in this situation. I have a Rotel RCD-1572 cd player and a computer (built only for music streaming and files) connected to my Holo Audio May KTE DAC. It sounds amazing. DSD (basically, same thing as SACD) sounds wonderful. Get any cheap Bluray player with a Coaxial output and a good dac, or use your old SACD player and get a good dac. ESS Sabre chips usually sound harsh.
@sammencia7945
14 күн бұрын
I think it is transport. I have isolation transformers hooked up to my DAC and transport. One for each. Filtering both is best, however filtering the transport removes much of the digital hash from treble and upper mids. This was first complaint by audiophiles in 1982 about cd. Stereophile, TAS, Sound magazines all said same. Filtering DAC tightens and focuses soundstage and removes another, smaller, layer of digital hash. Filtering amp will clean up sound also but lessens bass a small amount as that direct draw to local mains is throttled. Could be filtering of 60hz (North Ametica) added bass hump. This is why great amps have 40 pounds of filter caps and line transformer. To clean the mains up. $80 each for iso transformers at any home improvement store.
@michaelwright1602
15 күн бұрын
Yep, the DAC is key...
@ksukhia
14 күн бұрын
For any pro audio folk out there that want something that can also sound nice for hifi, check out the Chord stuff if you’re at NAMM. I use a DAVE in the studio and even the lower priced Chord models are fantastic (mojo etc). Get you a dac that can do both! i.
@jeremylynnchagaspereira3926
15 күн бұрын
$7000 budget! What do your speakers and amplifier cost??
@musicman8270
15 күн бұрын
My audio visual system was 32 grand. The left right speakers were six grand. Got them on sale. Later scaled my system back a little
@jeremylynnchagaspereira3926
15 күн бұрын
@@musicman8270 impressive. Hope you’re happy with the sound. Ultimately it’s about enjoying the music. But putting together a good system is a thrill of its own. Have fun! 😃
@musicman8270
15 күн бұрын
@@jeremylynnchagaspereira3926 Thanks. I've scaled it back a bit. Figured out spots where I was wasting money. My OPPO and my OLED are two faves but my 702's2 speakers will always be it for me
@SastusBulbas1
2 күн бұрын
I have a Genesis Digital Lens that after 5 years in storage unplugged, simply is not coming on, I believe someone from PS audio was involved with the design? I read online there may be a specific selection of buttons that will wake it up via remote, nothing in the manual. But really not much help online. Anyone able to help? I also hear modern dacs outperform old, I still listen to redbook CD, Theta Transport, into Genesis lens, into Theta Dac. I loved the sound with the Lens, and always thought even though the lens should make transports irrelevant, the Theta outperformed items like the Teac VRDS-1 and bitperfect from PC. These days I am tempted to buy an affordable dac that can stream, and a budget transport simply as I have nothing up to date as a digital front end, but I still want to keep my old lens and get that working, and plan to run my Theta until the equipment simply expires. Yet I feel depite the improvements in technology, you cant just spend £700 on a DAC and get better sound, convenience yes, features yes, I mean balanced out, with a pre function, and able to run streaming apps, which all sound great, but in reality means just how much was spent where it matters?
@jeffbrooke4892
15 күн бұрын
I know this is a bit off your subject, but its kind of interesting these days. What's more important for tailoring sound to personal taste. The amp or the DAC? And to take it one step further, for tube guys why roll tubes when you can get a better DAC?
@tacofortgens3471
10 күн бұрын
I think.its Speakers > then Source >, then Amp Speakers ia most important, spend 4 on speakers 2 on amp 1 on source.
@VendendoNaInternetAgora
14 күн бұрын
How many titles are on the market today that are SACD? Is there an SACD version for every version of a regular CD?
@googoo-gjoob
15 күн бұрын
i say.... buy one of each.... _used_
@bikdav
15 күн бұрын
If I understand correctly, doesn’t the DAC also control the playback options, such as shuffle play and programmable playback (playing requested tracks only)?
@andymill8552
15 күн бұрын
A DAC in itself does not provide play back options. The DAC is only a digital to analog converter. The play back options are provided by a streamer or the SACD/CD transport (or music app on your computer). Of course there are CD/SACD players and streamers with built in DACs, but basically those are 2 devices in one.
@andreashunziker4675
15 күн бұрын
An amplifier is built in after all the digital stages in a DAC. This is the first analogue device in a digital chain. This amplifier must be at least as good as the subsequent electronics. Remember that there is no improvement of the signal in the subsequent chain.
@pobodyisnerfect
14 күн бұрын
*only* $7k.... 🙃
@jamesfarrow6752
15 күн бұрын
Whilst I agree that the DAC is more important, source components can make a difference. I have a streamer which I mainly use to play music stored on a server. Last year, I loaned a newer version of the streamer and ended up buying it due to the significant improvements in sound quality.
@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter
12 күн бұрын
Paul, where can I find this "POS DAC"?
@krisking2
12 күн бұрын
What is a DAC?
@ArtoriusGuitarNerd
12 күн бұрын
Digital to analog converter
@Ivy13276
15 күн бұрын
They are equally important
@FabriG-yd5ft
15 күн бұрын
Higher you climb the audio chain and more important is the component. So the transport is the first and most important of all the audio chain. It's useless to have 100k$ speakers if you amplify a bad signal. Same is true in the transport-dac dyad, don't get in the "digital signal" fallacy as if digital signal is out of question and all has to do with analog signals. Digital signal can be noisy and jittery, also subject to timing errors unless using an asynchronous connection. It's not that complicated to compare how different digital transport can sound even on the same dac.
@ThinkingBetter
15 күн бұрын
The DAC is what matters in a correctly working digital system. Data is data and as long as you get the correct data in time for your DAC to play it without jitter or drop-outs, you are fine. Nowadays most of us are streaming music including lossless better than CD quality and nobody is asking if your AWS data center is playing the music from some EDSFF compliant SSD or HDD drive whatever specs. Really it doesn't matter at all as long as your DAC is happy getting the data with no errors and no delays. A US$20,000 transport is no better in playing a CD than a Seagate HDD in an AWS datacenter via Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music, Amazon Music or whatever. Rather, to be honest completely, a streaming service is running strict protocols to ensure data is without errors while an optical CD disc easily can have data errors due to scratches. Thus, if the track is exactly the same data (this is not about technology), CD playback can sound inferior even on a US$20,000 transport than streaming due to the need of occasional error correction (if you are not careful handling your CDs).
@Jorge-Fernandez-Lopez
15 күн бұрын
My experience is sightly different. I did some tests to know why in the best case scenario High-Res streaming or downloads where sometimes quite as good as CD-DA and others less. The premise is that the two tracks had to come from the same file (no equalization, gain, or compression added) to compare apples with apples. In that scenario, some Hi-Res apples weren't as good.
@misterzero8667
15 күн бұрын
Absolute rubbish
@andreashunziker4675
15 күн бұрын
@ThinkingBetter It seems that you are new to the topic. Make yourself familiar with the term „noise“ and how a digital to analog conversion could work without an amplifier (Line-Driver) and then? ThinkAgain (sorry)
@davidfairchild1640
15 күн бұрын
@@misterzero8667great rebuttal. Any actual evidence as to why?
@ThinkingBetter
15 күн бұрын
@@andreashunziker4675 I design those things. Noise is easily avoidable to be a concern with proper isolation and power supply design. You can get SNR of well above 100dB easily. Ages ago PCs made a lot of noise causing concerns when connected via USB.
@tfj100
14 күн бұрын
This company makes 100x as much money from DACs as it does from music servers. Guess what the answer is going to be?
@tomclark7551
14 күн бұрын
True and his answer is still ..true
@tfj100
14 күн бұрын
@@tomclark7551 My experience differs. But it is pretty hard to find anybody who can give a definitive technical explanation here, whether it is the All bits are the same crowd or the DAC cleans up all kinds of crappy source crowd. I think the issue is 99% of people who are saying the focus should be on the DAC have never owned a high quality music server so they don't really have a good basis for their judgment
@tomclark7551
13 күн бұрын
@@tfj100 my experience - Silent angel server/streamer > Innuos pulsar = didn't appreciate a SQ difference. PS audio DSD MK2 > Mola Mola Tambaqui= big difference heard
@tfj100
13 күн бұрын
@@tomclark7551 I think you need to go a bit higher in the market. Try listening to Antipodes Audio for example. Won many awards, A+ ratings.
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