Does the ESS Sabre Chip have a telltale sound?


Wondering if DACs using these chips share some sonic traits vs DACs using Wolfson and other chips, of if the biggest sonic traits of DACs are influenced by other components in the DAC?
camb

Showing 1 response by mofimadness

No. I have had about 40-50 different DACS through here over the past 3 to 4 years.

I always thought it was the DAC chip that dictated the sound. I found that was wrong. It depends on how that particular chip is used WITHIN the circuit. Many other factors influence the final sound quality.

I guess I could add the Sabre DAC chip "usually" smooths things out a bit, but other chips do this as well if not better.

As the old saying goes "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts".