DAC... Why do I need it?

[tuff]

Ok, But I can't change anything in my room as per status.
Now my setup is PC>>>SwanM200KII. Instead of in-between DAC to enhance the audio quality for better crispy and more clear with software inbuilt equalizers.

You can try the Equalizer APO https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/
it's free. It sets an equalizer at the system end, which means everything gets piped through it including any browser that you may use for YouTube and what not. It works great.

 

[shreeux]

How are you connecting your PC to the speakers? USB? You mentioned receiver in your opening post.

What exactly are you seeking here, do you have upgrade plans in mind? Sorry, I am slightly confused.

MaSh

Using 3.5mm to RCA

 

[MaSh]

Using 3.5mm to RCA

Okay. Have you tried using a USB DAC to feed your speakers?

MaSh

 

[shreeux]

Okay. Have you tried using a USB DAC to feed your speakers?

MaSh

No...not have. Like to buy moderate DAC.,

 

[sound_cycle]

No...not have. Like to buy moderate DAC.,

This is really not the thread for that discussion, I guess.

Something like this http://www.hifivision.com/sale-owner/51706-xonar-dx-xonar-d2x-sound-cards.html#post592218 was my initial choice.

ciao
gr

 

[saikatbiswas82]

Thank you guys for making me wiser. However I do understand that if I use discreet components such as stereo amp and pre amp etc to build my audio system I would want to invest in a decent DAC. But why would someone with a decent receiver want a DAC? I might not own a top of the line receiver but I still feel Yamaha v681 is a decent piece and "would" have a good DAC in it.

If you are happy with it then why bother?

 

[smedhavi]

Let me repeat what has already been said, for movie watching the Yamaha receiver would be just fine. For a focused 2 channel music listening, a dedicated DAC may be worth it, if you really care for the smoothness, details and warmth. I have an AudioQuest Dragonfly, Chord Mojo, Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC2496, as well as a NAD C542 CD player. All of them sound significantly different from any AV receiver. I am not saying better, as that depends on what you care about, and what you like.

PS: HFV does not allow a long enough signature for me to cover most of my stuff

 

[MaSh]

PS: HFV does not allow a long enough signature for me to cover most of my stuff

Try removing all formatting, spaces, symbols, etc. Look at mine, I do not have space for another alphabet.

MaSh

 

[Aanuj]

Keep the path short to have a great experience. Do not unnecessarily complicate things. Get a high quality CD player this way you will get a shorter path and avoid two clocks involved in the case of a DAC and CD transport which will cause jitter as they will be eventually out of sync. It's a very delicate cycle involved More over a Rs 40,000 DAC is useless when connected to similarly priced CD player. It's better to pay Rs 80k on a single box . But if your budget is over 4 lacs for transport and DAC then it's somewhat worth it. IMO I would want my DAC transport and clock if at all ,then they rather be from the same manufacturer.

 

[Naturelover]

I wrote mine on a Word document in small sized alphabets, took a snapshot and uploaded it to a photo sharing site. Finally copied the link to my signature. [emoji4]
Does take some effort to get it right, though.

HFV does not allow a long enough signature for me to cover most of my stuff

Try removing all formatting, spaces, symbols, etc. Look at mine, I do not have space for another alphabet.

MaSh

 

[asliarun]

IMHO, it is not a good apples-apples comparison to compare high-end stereo setup and DACs with mid level AVRs. Many folks here on this thread and this forum have genuinely high-end stereo setups. There are relatively fewer discussions on high end multi-channel setups.

It would be much better to compare a high end stereo setup with a high end pre-pro and multi-channel power amp setup - in terms of music quality or musical flavor. There was also a very interesting thread a long time ago where a forum member did an exhaustive review of 3-4 vintage TOTL AVRs, and those systems seemed to have surprisingly high music quality.

I feel that for people with multi-channel setups, an upgrade option to a genuinely higher end multi-channel setup might be an interesting option vis a vis going the route of keeping the existing AVR and adding a stereo setup on top of it (or beside it).

 

[smedhavi]

Try removing all formatting, spaces, symbols, etc. Look at mine, I do not have space for another alphabet.

MaSh

Formatting is not counted. Your signature has only as many useful characters as mine (250). Let us discuss this offline and not hijack this thread

 

[sound_cycle]

More over a Rs 40,000 DAC is useless when connected to similarly priced CD player. It's better to pay Rs 80k on a single box . But if your budget is over 4 lacs for transport and DAC then it's somewhat worth it. IMO I would want my DAC transport and clock if at all ,then they rather be from the same manufacturer.

:clapping: Thanks for sorting it all out.

Could you please be specific or substantiate on any of what you said above.

I might just want to throw my shitty 40K INR dac in the nearest drain if you are right, but would like to know why I should and what I will gain for Rs 80k on a single box (what box, very confused) - in sonic terms.

ciao
gr

 

[smedhavi]

It would be much better to compare a high end stereo setup with a high end pre-pro and multi-channel power amp setup - in terms of music quality or musical flavor. There was also a very interesting thread a long time ago where a forum member did an exhaustive review of 3-4 vintage TOTL AVRs, and those systems seemed to have surprisingly high music quality.

I agree, adding an analog power-amp or integrated-amp to the front channel would be a big upgrade if the speakers are good. It could make a bigger difference than changing the DAC.

I feel that for people with multi-channel setups, an upgrade option to a genuinely higher end multi-channel setup might be an interesting option vis a vis going the route of keeping the existing AVR and adding a stereo setup on top of it (or beside it).

I would vote for the reverse. Investing in a good two-channel analog setup, that also works as the front two channels in a multi-channel setup is a lot better option than putting your money on better sound from the surrounds; which essentially produce only effects and noises from the movie.

 

[Aanuj]

:clapping: Thanks for sorting it all out.

Could you please be specific or substantiate on any of what you said above.

I might just want to throw my shitty 40K INR dac in the nearest drain if you are right, but would like to know why I should and what I will gain for Rs 80k on a single box (what box, very confused) - in sonic terms.

ciao
gr

Words can't substantiate . Get out of the box and come to Kolkata and let me enable you to throw your DAC in the drain. Get hold of a Yamaha CDS 1000 or a Naim CD5si or Cyrus CDi and compare your two box entry level Shiit you'll know what I mean. And do Google about Clocks,Jitter etc of two box solutions. I'm sure you won't get the point but there no harm in trying.

 

[sound_cycle]

Deleted .

 

[srisaikat]

Words can't substantiate . Get out of the box and come to Kolkata and let me enable you to throw your DAC in the drain. Get hold of a Yamaha CDS 1000 or a Naim CD5si or Cyrus CDi and compare your two box entry level Shiit you'll know what I mean. And do Google about Clocks,Jitter etc of two box solutions. I'm sure you won't get the point but there no harm in trying.

Your solution only fits for CD source only, CD is best to play from CDP. But what about rest? When I want to buy and play online hd files or want to upgrade youtube sound or TV STB or other online source then a nice quality DAC is must. For convenience or versatility now a day DAC is must have component.

 

[square_wave]

The requirement for a discreet component in an audio chain need to be seen completely from the perspective of an individuals goals with an audio system.

If you like what you hear from your receiver, do not upgrade.

The technical answer is that a discreet dac will vastly improve the sound provided you build a system around it with a purpose.

Also, if multichannel is your thing, then the path for upgrade also will be different than what a 2-channel enthusiast will take. Expectations can be very different.

 

[jls001]

@Mods should move this thread to the appropriate subforum. Thanks.

 

[Naturelover]

And do Google about Clocks,Jitter etc of two box solutions. I'm sure you won't get the point but there no harm in trying.

Rather presumptuous that, Aanuj, isn't it?
Goes against the ethos and grain of such fora which are to help people learn. He merely asked for some advice.