Disclaimer/ Personal interest in my reviews - nbtsmedia.com/about-us/ Just to clarify. I do not mean you should negate the technology part entirely as some technologies do have tendencies to sound a certain way but at the same not all of them do actually sound that way. Example: tube dacs tend to be warm and softer sounding but not all tube dacs sound this way. So focus less on tech and focus on the sound. Getting any tube dac because you assume it is warm sounding would be a mistake

@tcc5750

3 жыл бұрын

Which white speakers are those in the background?

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

@@tcc5750 pmc fact 8 signature that I am reviewing for sound stage

@earlismarks7108

3 жыл бұрын

Great...advice..

@xxgamerxxchrischris2325

2 жыл бұрын

i think the smsl su-9 is perfect!

@jayarino

5 ай бұрын

if u use my network streamer's optical out port and hook it to my avr, am i using my streamer's dac?

Good overall advice, but I’m always surprised that the majority of audiophile channels don’t seem to suggest asking either the chosen headphone/speaker manufacturer for their advice on synergistic components (like DACs) recommendations as a starting point. For instance, I recently purchased ZMF headphones, so I asked Zach directly on DAC choices based on my specific use case, preferred music genres, and budget. I figured he’d have much more nuanced options for me than just scouring forums, and sure enough, he did. Not saying forums can’t be helpful, but he literally made my endgame headphones, so it just made sense to tap him as a resource.

Very good points made in this video! Loved the video. Keep killing it brother!

Really usefull video thanks Jay I love your contents so much I was confusied about 24 bit and 16 bit audio but when watched your video now I'm cleared thank you so much

Great points. Lots of useful tips and good old common sense. Thanks Jay!

Very thoughtful and well done. Thank you.

Thanks, good advice. I have the D90 MQA and its awesome.

Thanks for this video! I’m learning about DACs and I found this helpful.

ive been running a matrix mini i pro dac/amp combo from 2016. i just upgraded to from the dacs inbuilt headphone out to a discreet balanced amplifier and i instantly began noticing micro details and air in songs that i had never heard despite running the same dac and headphones setup for almost 4 years. Your are correct that dacs have been a rapidly evolving segment and MQA and bluetooth streaming is capability im interested in but damm dac comparisons are confusing as hell and usually filled with flowery language that doesnt help ones buying decisions.

I think hifi is one of the times i really wished we had more brick and mortar stores so you could try things out. These days even if there is a store they don't have a listening room unless u go to a really high end place. I think Amazon with it's easy return policy probably is the best way to try things out at the moment as pretty all retailers in the UK don't have an alternative.

@tommywingate2220

2 жыл бұрын

You are so right. I’m getting back into HiFi audio after 30 years absence and this is frustrating without the brick and mortar option. Maybe if the money is right that option can return.

@Fr0stbite1801

2 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I know this one place that's audiophile heaven about an hour's drive away where I live. It's shopping center for niche hobbies and it's awesome. All lined up there's a hi-fi store that lets you audition anything you want, a custom iem maker right next to that, then a vinyl record store, and a DJ equipment store as the cherry on top.

@tommywingate2220

2 жыл бұрын

@@Fr0stbite1801 where is this little slice of heaven located ?

@Fr0stbite1801

2 жыл бұрын

@@tommywingate2220 I live Indonesia, near Jakarta. It seems one of the rare perks of being souutheast asian is that a lot of audiophile gear is easy to find here. Except for stuff like Schiit which is a shame.

@tommywingate2220

2 жыл бұрын

@@Fr0stbite1801 I guess I won’t be making any kind of road trip to pop into your stereo center in the near future but good for you. So enjoy !!

Allo Revolution DAC with upgraded PSU is an awesome mid-range choice, lets you play with the sound and has so much customization that actually makes a difference where you're able to find the sound you want rather than making due with the exact DAC sound with slight variation options as most DACs do.

I always go neutral DAC/preamp/amp and then let the speaker dictate my sound preference, be it a warm sounding speaker or neutral or bright or have all of the above type of speakers to suit what my mood calls for. Speaker rolling is fun if you have a neutral sounding setup downstream.

Very useful! Thank you for making such videos 👍

I wanted to experience DSD and so in my research I came across a Chinese brand, Questyle and what caught my attention was their claim to, "True DSD" and no conversion. Since Crutchfield carried it, I took a chance. 2 Years later I am still using it and I think it sound great, especially DSD. Does not support MQA but that's ok because I can use Qobuz and it recognizes 192khz tracks just fine. It's also a very nicely built unit. It's the CMA400i, by the way.

Jay you make me want to be an audiophile KZread influencer. IMO, your advise is so sensible, smart and useful. Thank you for your humility too balancing high priced hifi with quality hifi that most people could afford/justify. Plus your voice comes through very smooth through my TD508MKIII/Ragnarok II.

wow jay. this vid is made just for me lol. just bought the pm8006 and triangle titus ez. now looking for a dac to wrap it all up

I sort of agree with your reasoning regarding the budget for speakers, amps and DAC's, personally, I prefer a bright V shape sound, so I have Bowers and Wilkins Speakers (£7000) and Cambridge Audio Azur Amp (£1600), and I have been working on a budget of around £1000 for a DAC. I have tried a few including Mojo, Schiit and Topping, for me the best value under £1000 is the Topping D50s, much better than the D90 (as the D90 is too forward in the mid-tone), the Mojo is to warm for me and the Shiit's are also middle to warm. So to get the sound I like I prefer DAC's with the ESS9038 Sabre chips at the moment. The interesting thing is that we all have different tastes in the sound of the music, so as you say if possible audition DAC's and pick something that sounds right, rather than specifications!

Good advice, thank you

I'm so glad I found this video thank you so much for sharing this video 💯🎶👍👍👍

Your idea on speakers is spot on. I have owned the same pair for 15 years with multiple upgrades from the manufacturer. I would say pre amp next bc power is cheap these days for amps. Class D is moving almost as fast as new DACs. I think room treatment is 1 of the biggest areas that is ignored but can make a huge impact. I use a heavily modded MHDT Orchid and it quite possibly will not be replaced. If I were shopping for a new DAC, I would look at the D90 since it has been reviewed so well. Good video BTW.

Nice explanation! If you play music from an iPhone or pad make sure the DAC you choose is compatible with the devices. I use and enjoy Sony and Schiit DACs playing Apple lossless ALAC from my phone.

You and Thomas are the Kings 🤴 of KZread in hifi reviews

You can go speaker first and source first at the same time. How come ? Well get high-end powered speakers with analog (and preferably balanced) inputs and a good DAC with balanced outputs. Then buy two xlr cables with neutrik connectors from a music/pa seller (not a hi-fi), and you’re good to go. Focal shapes, elac arb-51...I heard as an entry-level the Kali Audio LP series do à nice job. Add a sub then...

Hi Jay. I'm wondering, do dacs these days come with automatic input switching? It's quite an important quality of life feature, but it sometimes feels like high end audio comes at the cost of convenience/

I have no external DAC:) The Saber DAC'S in my Yamaha Pre-Amp sound great.. I'm good with that.

Enjoying the #@#$% out of my Topping DX7-Pro. Using it XLR +RCA out, stereo subs through the RCA, XLR to the Emotiva XPA2 Gen2. I'm not sure why I'd want a pre-amp in the middle of this as I've heard some reviewers comment. I'm using Magnepan MMG with polk subs 10" I forget the model. The sub bass has more detail with this DAC, hearing and feeling more texture than before so the subs aren't holding things back at all. Very nice, detailed sound, no harshness up top at all, not a bit, broad soundstage, etc etc etc etc. Its really nice and low volume to high volume I hear so much of the music with the DX7 in front of my sources. So, USB from my HTPC (Kodi especially using exclusive mode), BT with LDAC for Amazon HD when I don't feel like remote controlling the HTPC (get a remote player for the PC version please Amazon), and my Kuro switches my video sources and I output toslink to the DAC from the display. Everything sounds wonderful. This little DAC for $600 brought an increase in sound quality that I wasn't prepared for, and I thought I was getting great sound prior to that using Denon HT Receivers (when I setup for surround). And I heard a nice increase in clarity, imaging, detail, and bass punch going from Straight Wire Rhapsody interconnect (before I added subs) between the DAC and amp to Mogami Gold Studio-03 1 meter cables. I could use some more mid bass punch and that's why I'm waiting for my Tekton Moabs to arrive (picked a custom color for them too), but I feel like I could do some more work on these MMGs to get some more juice out of them. For a base model product they are a lot of fun and so revealing of system changes without ever being fatiguing. With that said, I'm really curious about some of the more expensive Chinese made DACs, like the Denifraps R2R stuff in the >$1200 range. How much more of the music is there for me to hear? I keep hearing more and more of my music with each upgrade and tweak, it's crazy.

I think source is most important in a digital system because DACs are usually the weak link, I.e they don’t sound as smooth and natural as analog. DACs are coming on a lot in recent years though. Speakers and amp clearly are essential and central to any system as they are irreplaceable. Speakers have generally been the weak link because of size constraints, complacent design built around saving money and passive designs.

Nice video. Great content.

Jay, having an interest in HiFi since the early seventies, I totally agree with you about buying the speakers first - nowadays there are so many to choose from with different voicing and amplifier requirements the amplifier comes second. I think the DAC comes third because just like a phono cartridge it really determine the sound of your digital source. I've had a CHORD MOJO for two years now and I still think it's one of the best pieces of audio equipment I've ever owned - I can use it with my iPod, my Laptop my phone and my CD player. To me the only DACs worth buying would have FPGA or R2R style conversion. Delta Sigma chips just have an unnatural "digital edge" to them.

I must be old, when I bought such stuff the first time, dealers told me you have to look that a BurrBrown chip is in it. Well Burr-Brown was taken over by Texas instruments, but then it is TI instead of Sabre or AKM... but then this seems to have changed again.

Thy for the vid!

Great! Speaker first! Best advice. 😁

Hey Jay. Love your channel. I have a very extensive classical music cd collection but I'm currently running them through a cheap cd player and not using a dac. I'm thinking of purchasing the Denafrips AresII dac to get better sound. Would all I have to do is use an optical cable to connect the cd player to the Ares II? I have rca cables going from the cd player to my vintage Yamaha integrated amplifier? Any other connections necessary?Thanks for your help. Keep up the great reviews.

Thanks for all the useful content. Question: DACs are the most confusing component to research, imo. Apart from the technical aspects, there seems to be more rapid innovation. My question is, as a consumer, how to think about the used market amidst all this innovation. A higher end DAC from 5-10 years ago might sell for about the same as a new "entry level" DAC. Are new DAC simply catching up with the previous generation of higher end DACs? Are the older technologies simply outdated? Or can a used higher end DAC still outperform some of these popular new sub-1000 DACs?

So I started my audio file journey probably 15 years ago maybe longer. Purchased the speakers, turntable, CD player and separate app and preamp back then. Was very happy with my system. Eventually though I purchased a streamer two things happened one when I streamed the quality of sound through the system was better than CD maybe the CD player was dated. The other thing that happened is that when I was using high res from either Tidal or Amazon everything was much much better. So for me it was not a case of building speakers backwards it was a case of garbage in garbage out I believe. So now I’m kind of building backward well I generally agree with your principles I think in my case and force to build backwards. So I am going to upgrade my amp and preamp because the new input quality have reviewed the weakness of these in my chain. Does this Make any sense to you?

Great job you influenced me with my choice because of the detail and explanation. Recently purchased the Ares 2 so will see how it rolls. 🙏

@kohnfutner9637

3 жыл бұрын

How did it roll for you?

@kjbiz

3 жыл бұрын

@@kohnfutner9637 very nicely. I use it in over-sampling mode and creates a simple set up with my Audiolab 8300A integrated, Mac mini and KEF LS50’s using Tidal/Roon and have happy with the results.

i love your videos hold up the good work

Very wise words

Jay, hope you are doing well. Thanks for the clip and all your other reviews. Would you think a S.M.S.L M400 DAC integrate well with the Elac Navis ARB51 ? Thank You

I am choosing the RMe Adi-2 since it's like the only product on the planet with a legitimate dsp system built in.

Great video your English is very good thank you

i have topping e30. love that little thing. cheap and sound wonderful.

@uhugvjkbkjh

3 жыл бұрын

Guessing an e50 is on it's way .. AKM chips rock

@GusdeHbg

3 жыл бұрын

a very good one!

@user-ps4ci7lo7r

3 жыл бұрын

E30 connected to my shield TV blows me away

I've tried 3 DAC's (MODI3, SMSL and Dayton) with my 2019 MacBook Pro and they all sound the same (DSSL lost USB connection randomly). I've put them up against a "high quality" headphone to RCA output and can not hear a difference running it through my Yamaha R-S300. I've also run the same DAC's through my iPhone 11 and a friends MacPro tower. All devices running the latest software. The only DAC type device that has sounded a bit better is the dragonfly device. I've returned them all and stuck with the Y cable. What am I missing here???

Hi Jay 👋👋👋 Have seen your reviews over many types of gears 👍👍👍 and they influenced my purchases. You recently convinced me to get the Ananda over the Sundara. My question is currently I have the HE4xx with the topping A90 and the E30. I am getting the Gustard A18 DAC to replace the E30 then I will get the Ananda. But after watching this video I am now thinking should get the Ananda first then get the A18? Hmmm what’s your advice man Thanks much from Singapore 😊

Thanks for the video Jay!! Which Dac would you recommend me for an Onkyo TX 8130 with a pair of Dynaudio DM 2/6 ??? Thanks and cheers from Argentina!!

Hi, Very interesting topic i never heard of DAC. out of the loop on tech gear.. I have a very stupid question to ask, not sure if it relates to your channel or subject thou.. I play guitar and use amp plugins / amp simulators on my computer as my main source of sound, i do use a audio interface to record in a DAW. Will a DAC be something to my benefit to help with better sound quality and rid the crackles and pops from the amp simulators?

Major mainstream DAC nowadays even a $100 Topping D10s can do DSD and 384khz PCM, but MQA that's not the case only some has it like the Ifi Zen DAC. Most important thing is to know WHAT YOU WANT and HOW MUCH CAN YOU CHIP IN for your DAC. Its ok to spend a bit more for a better DAC that suits you because you might upgrade your system in future.

A beginner’s question please. I use headphones and I’m new to that world. I intend in the relatively near future to buy the Hifiman Ananda and the Grado RS 2e and pair them with an Asgard 3 amplifier. For now I listen to music on Spotify and KZread. Can you recommend one or two budget dacs that would work well with that set up and does the set up I am describing make sense to you? Thanks.

What's a budget? Lol. Great video man.

From my understanding, some DAC manufacturers say that they cannot always handle CD player input properly, presumably because the CD transport cannot keep up with the external DAC and provide continuous output to the DAC. Are there any DAC's that are known to work well with external CD players? I have a Sony CDP-CX555ES carousel 400 disk CD player that I would like to hook up to a more modern DAC instead of using the internal CD player DAC.

Jay, you know Elac Vela speakers inside out. Do you think that there is an easy DAC recommendation to Vela 407?

Hi jay, I have a audia flight three FLS intergrated, monitor audio gold 100 5 G along with a bluesound node 2i... Of course the dac in the node isn’t bad but I know an external dac can outperform it... do you have any dac suggestions

Looking for advice. I have a somewhat vintage system (McIntosh 2015 power amp, Onkyo pre amp, AR 90 speakers) Buying a Audiolab 6000 CDT and deciding which DAC to get. I've read good things about Shiit DAC's. Primarily listen to rock from 70's-90's. Looking in the +/- $200 range. Suggestions

Would love it if you could also review the Musician Pagasus R2R DAC compared to the Denafrips etc.

"Care less about the tech" ....... 👍🏻 If it sounds great in the system.. That's it!

Hello dear Jay you make crazy accurate videos regarding the stuff you test. thank you for that. i am sorry my question is not connected with your actual video ^^ in case is fine to answer me can you please advise me to buy the Best DAC we can found today ? is for an car Audio system where i will install an android unit but that chineese unit have an Analog output but we can plug into that unit by USB an DAC. that car is an BMW who have an very good audio system then for me is just impossible to play like losless files like FLAC with an analog out put and the car have very good speakers and Amplfier. on a group a guy recommand me to use the FiiO K3 another one the Apogee ONE i read some was speaking about the Chord Hugo 2 but i am not sure that will work in a car. Can you please advise me to found the best quality sound DAC ? it need unfortunatly to not be big to hide it inside the dashboard :)

I can’t afford the Topping D90 or SMSL 400. What’s the best option if you want equal quality to the SMSL 400? How does the SonCoz SGD1 compare with the D90, M400, D70, Dx7 Pro? My speakers are custom made 3 way floor standing speakers using SEAS Excel drivers (2 22cm woofers, 1 15cm midrange and a 1” tweeter), my amp is a Yamaha S2000 and for my transport I intend to use a 8 year old Marantz Pearl CD player (via CoAx or TosLink) which uses Cirrus Logic 4498. My sources will be my CD player and maybe later a media player to play lossless files from a Hard disk. Having LDAC functionality also helps as I can stream from a portable media player as well. Thanks.

Hi Jay. Just get the topping D90 and get it over with. You should buy a DAC that’s uncolored and clean - I prefer a neutral dac.

@nc3419

3 жыл бұрын

Didn't Thomas review SMSL M400 stating it was neutral while the Topping D90 was slightly warm?

Very reasonable. I got the dragonfly black at present and am looking to upgrade both speakers and a new dac. I wonder whether it is possible to recommended that a certain proportion of a budget for a complete hifi system should be used on the dac. For example assume that I wanted to buy a dac to go along with the lore reference. I suspect that the Pontus would be a bit too expensive in this system given the limitations of the speaker. Even the aeries seems a bit disproportionately pricy compared to the speakers. Sean recommended a sub 200 usd dac for his desktop system recently. For the lore reference I would choose maximum a 400 usd dac though some might think that to be overkill. Any perspectives from other audiophiles?

Jay don’t you need a 24/192 capable dac to fully exploit Mqa? I mention this as one could be a licensee if mqa and it’s unfolding process but if you don’t have full 24:192 system downstream from that you are still just going to get 16/44!?

The value of DACs depreciate quicker because technology changes fast. Not so much for amps and speakers. Also, the resale value is one of the most important factor of choosing equipments too. I would allocate most of my budget to amps and speakers.

Hi Jay what you think of the Auralic Altair G1 all in one?

Hi mate, great vid. I want to be able to stream music from Spotify, to the DAC, into my HIFI system. Do you have a recommendation for what DAC use for this?

@kohnfutner9637

3 жыл бұрын

Curious myself about how to integrate DACs into a system around a Roku TV. I think most DACs like smsl m200 and m400 have bluetooth. But no DAC I see has HDMI. I've always wondered why.

@Wuppie62

3 жыл бұрын

Every external DAC can do this. It all depends on your preferences, budget, hifi-system and your own ears. For $99 you can already buy nice external DACs that improve the digital sound coming from i.e. your smartphone, tablet, laptop or pc. Watch reviews from for instance John Darko and/or The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel if you're interested in streaming music.

Hi Jay, for me the biggest difference makes the amplifier, if you have a decent pair of speakers a good amp will make a lot of difference. I've tried the other way around with much more expensive speakers than the amp and the difference was very small. So I belive that the speakers will show what an amp can do. Thanks for your great videos!

@grindfreakmike5754

Жыл бұрын

Good speakers are only as good as the amp that drives them. A poor amp can make even the best speakers sound like crap.

New/older audiofiler. Just ordered a DAC from Okto research based on measurements. Never had a dac. Guess I'll see If its the "cats meow"

@drljevic583

3 жыл бұрын

How was it?

@rolandfontaine4139

3 жыл бұрын

@@drljevic583 very difficult to use. I've had it now for 2 weeks. Still can't get it to stream. But i haven't spent much time with it. But when i use it with usb from laptop its pretty amazing

Hey Jay please for love of God make a indepth terminator plus review & compare it to msb, totaldac, Bartók, etc ultra high end dac's(ofc if you've heard some or all of them).. Will love those videos as there aren't any comparisons..

Your new videos, or what not, are better prepped.

I have good ol' Audiolab M-DAC, but are looking for SMSL M400 for MQA or Hegel H95 for good all-rounder

@herrtrigger7220

3 жыл бұрын

I had the M-DAC and switched to the M400. M400 as better sound, top to bottom. M-DAC sounded thin and screechy highs by comparison, M400 has better bass too. Not more bass, but pitch and speed is better

I like the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 for $399. Does MQA and DSD.

I have a Topping DX3 Pto. I'm always underwhelmed when upgrading DACs. I usually focus on user experience, I/O and build quality over sonic performance because the sound differences between them are so subtle they're barely worth discussing.

@jamiermathlin

3 жыл бұрын

Try the Topping D50s, it is bright and very detailed with good lows, I have tried the DX3 (great DAC) and the top end D90 (not so good), I have tried so many DAC's and the D50s nails the sound I like, bright, detailed and fast. Happy listening !

The modius by Schiit measures well and it's very good.

@hoboman1206

3 жыл бұрын

what setup do u use it on? i’m pretty interested in that as well. coming from the schiit modi. just got new speakers and amp (triangle titus ez and marantz pm8006) and wondering if i should get the modius or the bifrost

@agentm83

3 жыл бұрын

Nice! I have one on the way.

The build in module in my gryphon amplifier, great dac

@heywoodjablome5630

3 жыл бұрын

I have an Oppo 95 player with high level mods by JLTI ( just listen to it), including power supply and clock mods. The DAC is super smooth. If I use the old Teac transport, then I'll be needing a suitable DAC. R2R has definite appeal.

@henriksrensen5958

3 жыл бұрын

@@heywoodjablome5630 I use cec TL5 transport into my Gryphon amplifier/ dac.

@heywoodjablome5630

3 жыл бұрын

@@henriksrensen5958 very nice.

@henriksrensen5958

3 жыл бұрын

@@heywoodjablome5630 I know the Oppo is great. Great reputation.

@heywoodjablome5630

3 жыл бұрын

@@henriksrensen5958 I think your cec transport is quality. Is the amp a Diablo 300? That could be a stunning combination, in the right space.

Hi, great video! Thank you! I have a Hegel H120 amplifier with Bluesound Node 2i streamer. Which is cheapest, but better Dac is than Hegel's built-in Dac? Or not worth the money? I don't want to spend too much money for a little better song. Thank you for the answer!

I have a denafrips pontus dac paired with audio research ref 75 amp. Arc ref 5 preamp and focal sopra 3 speakers. Do i need a higher end dac? I wouldn't think so but its funny. Us as audiophiles are also gear guru's and want to try different equipment all the time. My system sounds amazing. And upgrades at this point can't be that much of an improvement over the price paid.

@gottrekk5798

3 жыл бұрын

You have a dream system already, nothing to improve here.

@lancekluemper3708

3 жыл бұрын

@@gottrekk5798 i know right. I just find it funny its the audiophile in all of us. We just think we can always achieve better sound with higher end electronics. Its dumb to think that. Technology in speakers and amps haven't changed in years. Its should all be about mastered. But its funny that we all wonder if a 30g amp is that much better than my 10g or 10 g alot better than a 4g. Its all dumb and crazy lol

@gottrekk5798

3 жыл бұрын

@@lancekluemper3708 I think after few months or years we are getting used to the system we have and than we think about something better and than again we are discovering that the better it's not exactly better , just different. It's an expensive hobby.

@tomchan2559

3 жыл бұрын

@@gottrekk5798 This is not just an expensive hobby. IT IS ADDICTIVE like Drugs ! There are ALWAYS BETTER PRODUCTS. You ALWAYS want to "Upgrade" to the NEXT BEST THING with more MONEY!

Thanks for the well thought out advice. I do wonder why you refer only to looking into reviews with subjective listening impressions rather than measurements. It would seem to me that of any audio component, the accuracy of a DAC is the most easy to measure (if you have the right tools). If a DAC is indeed accurate, then should it's sound differ from another accurate DAC in terms of "Luscious" or "Analytical". If there are really significant difference in subjective sound quality that are independent of DAC measurement, then why wouldn't you place sound quality a lot higher on your "how to decide" list?

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

Dac is like any other hifi component. It has an analog output section. Hence think of it as your first point of amplification. (Technically incorrect but just for the sake of explaining).

What would like to know is this: My current preamp is a Marantz av8003 (just play stereo) on Monitor Audio gx200 speakers. If i want to replace the preamp, or it breaks down. What dac and or preamp+dac do i need to look at to at least have the same quality? It's an older amp, but sounds fantastic. If i get it correctly it has a build in dac: Cirrus Logic CS4382A 192-kilohertz/24-bit DAC I currently stream through a bluenode 2i which is ok. And i have 2 other digital sources (tv/cd). A streamer preamp could be an option provided it has the 2 extra inputs. Any thoughts? It's a puzzle that's driving me nuts lol....

Speakers first. Since 1981! Always.

What is your speaker at the background? Thanks!

Great video as usual 👍 I got the Buchardt s300 and my dac is about 4 years old. Aune s16 and it's okej. But it's missing air.. Topping D90 Mqa or Denafrips Ares 2? That's the question for me... Gahh

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

Air would be ares 2

@ThePalle44

3 жыл бұрын

I'm listening mostly on electronic music, but not always.. Is it the Denafrips anyway or D90

Sorry this is quite a long time after your very informative and great video regarding DAC'S. I am probably a fool with more money than sense and a real novice to the world of hifi. My question is this, I have an NAD MOV 10V2, a Cayin tube integrated tube amp and awaiting shipment of a Denfrips Pontus 2, how do I go about streaming my music through the tube amp and where does the Pontis go in the chain? Sorry if this is a rookie question but I feel in over my head.

Hello guys, I just got my iFi Zen Dac today and I'm using it with a pair of beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 ohm. I discovered today that when I lower the volume, the right side is louder than the left side but when I turn it up it evens out. Is that normal? I'm new to the DAC/AMP / Headphone world

I mainly listen to alot of heavy music,industrial,thrash metal,death metal and some alternative rock so im not one for alot of bass so tryin to find a dac too my musical tastes is kinda difficult since alot of utubers dont specify types of musical genre's towards what dacs would be good to use mainly for using as a external dac for cd playback.

Which delta sigma dacs sound like R2R dacs please? if i can achieve the analogue sound with a delta sigma budget that would be awesome....also is the modi multibit the best entry option into the ladder dac world?

@aleksandertrap-jensen8486

3 жыл бұрын

Try to look at SMSL M400. But AKM chips are often considered to have a warmer sound, so try to look for DAC's with chips from AKM.

Jay, what's your take on running a dac/pre right into a power amp or a dac......pre.....into a power amp?

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

my experience has has been that a separate pre-amp greatly enhances the system even in case of high end dacs like the MSB that has a pre-amp capability. Of course, there are exceptions but in general - preamp is a good idea.

@ryanschipp8513

3 жыл бұрын

@@Jayiyagi thanks for your response :) by any chance can you explain what you mean by "enhances".....specifically.

I know DAC's are more specific or rather exclusive for listenting to sound but would a good Audio Interface do the same as a DAC. Not a top tier one but an average DAC? My Interface allows audio at 192K HZ

Yo this is such a mind trip. You have almost my identical haircut... Really like the haircut, on an unrelated note 😎

@kohnfutner9637

3 жыл бұрын

You guys look very pretty. No homo.

Hi... I want to connect a pair of studio monitors to my TV and I´m looking for a DAC with optical input and XRL output, and a volumen control... Like you said I have spent everything on the speakers so I want to save money on this... I don´t think that will be able to hear them so I trust you on that too... In short, I´m looking for a natural sound, optical input, balanced XLR output, volume control to use with TIDAL in high sound quality spending the less money for it...:) Any recommend...? Thanks

@misaelcruz9786

2 жыл бұрын

Gustard dac x16

I'm just starting out. What would you recommend for a dac, speakers, and network streamer? Thanks.

Can you please name some intigrated amplifier models and dac models for Focal Kanta 2 please .....🙏🙏🙏

In your experience, can you tell the difference between dacs more apparently with speakers than with headphones?

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

yes as you go up in price, it is more obvious with speakers. headphone cap pretty fast (depending on the listener of course)

I have a question. How does a DAC undo the damage caused by the DAC that the sound has already been processed by. For example if I plug my phone into a DAC then the DAC into an amp isn't the DAC just being passed crap analogue sound that the dac in my phone has already processed?

@paulennemoser3657

3 жыл бұрын

Usually you’d connect your phone via USB/bluetooth digitally t your DAC. So no, all is fine :)

DAC recommendation for Tidal + Sansui au 9500 + JBL 4311B speakers?

Hi Jay, Do you have a system you never change then just switch out the sac of the day? Love the reviews :)

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

I have fallen in love with RME ADI-2 DAC FS ,which looks like the AMT speakers of the DAC world.{ yes it's me thanks for the ❤}. My problem is that nether it nor anything else in my system would give me wireless controle from my living space. What do I do? the RME has a Waylen socket so it can go directly to my full fibre router . do I plug a streamer before the RNE or is there another way, preferably with at least Internet Radio?

@johnh539

10 ай бұрын

If more detail would help I have a Prima Luna integrated amp and Focal speakers ,a subwoofer and a power regulator if my system gives you a better idear of what to recommend.

SO I have Bryston 4b Cube and Bp17 Cube, Dynaudio Evoke 30 with Rega RP40 turntable, I also have bluesound node 2021 model What do you recommend on a dac around 1000 canadian

I like the Chord dac sound. What dac is the equivalent in sound but more affordable?

@jdavis234

3 жыл бұрын

Chord Mojo or Atari 2600

@oohtob6685

3 жыл бұрын

@@jdavis234 thanks for that but i should have been more specific. Ive had the chord qutest and loved it but was looking for a different make somewhere between the price of the qutest and the TT2..

I agree, speakers first.

Got old 80's solid state Yamaha seperates pre amp, dsp-1 with JBL L112's and Klipsch la Scala's--- carver M4.0t wwhat I need is a shiit modi 3 bitfrost. I have a cambridge audio dac magic 100 .

@paulstone9755

3 жыл бұрын

Carver!! Wow you taking me back to the day:)

Can you recommend some affordable dacs to pair with a vintage Sony STR-7065 AM FM receiver that will be running a Sony Ps-2700 turntable, Sony K60 and K20 cassette decks, as well Sony S570D cd player in Aux to a pair of decently large 3 way 4 ohm B&W bookshelf speakers? Is this set up decent enough to benefit from a dac? It wont hurt my feelings if you say no lol. I'm a beginner who likes the look of vintage and im hoping once I get this set up going , I will appreciate the sound. I also have budget Energy C100 8 ohms bookshelf that I wanted to try bi wiring 12 woof 14 tweet to run 8 ohms A plus B. Give it to me straight ,I'm a noob and want to optimize. All replies appreciated!

Hi . I am being watching KZread video for last couple of months. I am into speakers and music since I was a kid. Also, I have upgraded my living room and my work room to sonos, bose etc. last couple of years also played with computer sound card etc. I feel like my ears grown for more clean sound, want to hear every detail of music and instrument. I love music. When I listen to a song, I listen to music more than lyric. So, I listen to different language songs even though I don't understand what they are saying. So, after watching lots and lots of videos uploaded by different user in KZread made me confused. Now, my computer has # Sound Blaster X3 - Hi-Res 7.1 Discrete External USB DAC and # ADAM T7V Studio Monitors I feel like I need a good dac but Could not decide it as I live in Australia I don’t have lot of option like usa or uk to go to the store and check which dac sound good. I know I am still new to this dac/amp world but my ear is very hungry for clean crisp detail, would you be able to advise me (I know you cant decide for me) Which dac I should buy, I do not need streaming or amp option option as I am going to use it for computer, I like to play with eq as well.

@Jayiyagi

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Remon. I suggest you try the Denafrips Ares 2 dac. From what you've asked - this is my suggestion

@remonjap

3 жыл бұрын

The Next Best Thing Studio Thanks ! very quick replay. Really Appreciate. I will definitely try that.