2. digital
  3. 148393-2444

Difference Between DAC Types

I’m curious if R2R ladder DACs and Delta-Sigma DACs are each better suited to certain types of music, i.e. vocals, amplified vs. non-amplified music, etc.

I’ve only owned Delta-Sigma DACs and have never heard an R2R ladder DAC. However based on reviews of some R2R products I’m considering moving in that direction but also understand there are inherent differences between the two DAC types. Not really looking for recommendations for specific DACs I should listen to of either type although that may be unavoidable to the discussion. I’m mostly intrigued by some of the online reviews for small company DACs like Border Patrol and Mhdt Labs where it’s said they can compete with much more expensive DACs.

My musical tastes are all over the board but maybe 50% rock (not hard) – folk - reggae etc. amplified music, the other made up mostly of acoustic folk, vocals, jazz and whatever else is in my library. I’d hate to move to R2R and find that female vocals are greatly improved, but at the expense of electric guitars, etc.

FWIW I’m running an AR pre, Pass amp, ATC speakers.

So, are there any distinct or unique characteristics inherent to R2R ladder DACs vs. Delta-Sigma DACs?


jaybe
atl4love
91 posts
 
The best dac is nos dac ! So natural and analog specially with tube nos and you can do tube rolling with them 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
As the French chef says: NO Diffawrance!
Ag insider logo xs@2x
kingbarbuda
513 posts
 
Like others have said it is personal choice. But there are things to keep in mind. First is the house sound concept. Most DACs tend to have a house sound. For instance, IMO, Schiit Multibit DACs are very forward and detailed sounding. No roll off. Chord Qutest is an FPGA (I hope I got that acronym right!) has multiple settings. Most of which tend to be warmer than Schiit’s. So it depends on the sound you want. Also as noted above some DACs have different settings for how much rolloff you want or not. Schiit, for instance has no such settings.  Chord, Benchmark and plenty of other do. Also, do you want your DAC to handle DSD or MQA. Some do. Some don’t. So it’s about personal taste in sound, variation in that sound through settings and whether you want DSD and/or MQA processing. Good luck. 
rbstehno
1,401 posts
 
An FPGA dac is the way to go.
firstnot's avatar
firstnot
248 posts
 
Speaking of DACs, Here is one Mr Reichert and Mr. Dudley of Stereophile appear to endorse in the Mar 2019 issue:
HOLO -straight talk.
"This is the outlet store of Holo Audio. The owner is not a professional business, is a well-known Buddhist seller, character is bleak. The goods in the store are all real price, no bargaining, and fair to all customers."
More to discover