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Analyzing DACs

As I am new to the hifi hobby, reading various product reviews and noting the details of the test environment have made me very confused.  I understand Stereophile is the hifi bible. In the publication’s DAC published tests the reviewers almost always tested the DAC connected directly to the amplifier. I think I understand why—nothing in the chain influencing the DAC sound. Is that the correct assumption? If that’s the case why incorporate a preamp if the DAC has a preamp section that is a common feature even on high end DACs? I’m in the market for a new DAC. I’m trying to avoid unnecessary components if possible. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.  

tee_dee
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,118 posts
 

What’s the rest of your system and how much do you want to spend on a DAC?

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@tee_dee 

As you are new to the hobby it is a great idea to start a thread like this. I would recommend 15% to 20% of your budget on a DAC and 20% to 30% of your budget on a separate and dedicated preamp. A good preamp will last for decades but Moore's law rules dacs. A $5000 DAC 5 years ago can get blown out of the water by a $500 dac today. 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 

A preamp allows selecting analog sources. A good one is neutral - it imparts no "sound."

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Audio Science Review (ASR) has tested and measured over a hundred DAC's. 

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

I'd rather trust ASR's rankings than the subjective blather here.

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