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The sound quality from DACs - is it all the same?

I've been talking to my cousin brother about sound quality. He is a self-proclaimed expert audiophile. He says that Audio Science Review has all of the answers I will need regarding audio products.

In particular, he says an inexpensive DAC from any Chinese company will do better than the expensive stuff. He says fancy audio gear is a waste of money because the data is already bit-perfect.  All DAC chips sound the same. Am I being mislead? 

He also said that any DAC over $400 is a waste of money. Convincing marketing is at play here, he says.

He currently owns a Topping L30 headphone amplifier and D30 Pro DAC. He uses Sennheiser HD 569 headphones to listen to music.  I'm not sure what to think of them. I will report my findings after listening one day! (likely soon, once I get some free time)

- Jack 

 

 

jackhifiguy

Showing 3 responses by ghasley

ghasley
2,434 posts
 

Isn’t your “cousin brother” also your cousin? Maybe your family tree differs?

ghasley
2,434 posts
 

@jackhifiguy 

 

How a given piece of gear acts/reacts to test tones is important to all to varying degrees. Since most here listen to complete musical works, the data point is just that, a data point. There are other factors at play which I wont get into nor take a stance ie country of origin, intellectual property rights, aesthetics or perceived quality of construction and an expectation of service after the sale.

 

Your posts seem to indicate an inital veiled attempt at an objective dialogue, accellerating into a tone otherwise. I’m not speaking for anyone else but allow me to relieve you of the extraordinary burden to save us from something. Most everyone here understands there must be a balance between measurements and listening. Since the beginning of time there have been products offered which were just as good in the eyes of some. Dwell where you like, others will dwell where they like. 

ghasley
2,434 posts
 

@teo_audio 

 

Thanks for "clearing that up"! I just knew that it was Edward Snowden's fault that my tube amplification sounds better but measures worse than a Topstard WE replica silicon SS amp that ASR will test shortly and proclaim it best.

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