Chinese DAC's
I have been looking at several DAC's trying to decide which one to put in my system. Some of those DAC's I'm looking at are built and designed in China. Without getting political I don't think trade with China will ever be the same. I hope that these engineers are able to get there products to market. It would sure be a waste of talent.
It is because i can hear the difference between my 2 actual dac that i propose to anyone instead of buying new dac, masterclass in acoustics instead of audio masterclass... the difference between actual dac technology exist for sure, i can hear them in my low cost system, but does not compare to acoustics parameters variations and differences at all ... All factors matter but there exist a priority order : acoustics before upgrading wheel....
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@ghdprentice + 1 |
Yep …. +4 …. It gets graphic in my experiences in two ways: (1) PRICE vs BUILD/PERFORMANCE MATRIX. All audio components are built to their price-point. Moving up the pricepoint strata generally produces a better audio performance. dac. No , it’s not a linear path but it is real. Yes .l, I can hear a meaningful improvement. I heard subtler dynamic gradations, and simultaneous complex musical events were more coherent. The sound seemed more organic. It’s an old story. There’s a point of diminishing returns as the gear gets more expensive but often there is a return…, and it’s not insignificant nor subtle. It’s up to an individual music-lover to decide on the value of such incremental differences. Warren Buffett said it best: “ Price is what pay. Value is what you get…”
(2) Comparing Chinese DACs vs. high-end build competitors made in the rest of the world. DACs are not exempt from having their own bespoke sonic signature primarily because they are much more than flavour of the month latest chips. Too many believe that the magic bullet secret to a good converter lies in simply choosing a “high-end” converter chip. Apparently it’s been reported in articles that many Chinese brands allegedly have the same board designs and parts made in the same factory(ies)
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Here’s one posted opinion about selling off all his trove of Chinese DACs as expressed by a YouTube reviewer. Take away what you will from it …just sayin’…
https://youtu.be/cwO4tje9QmY?feature=shared
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Thanks for this interesting video... First; Jay’s said " the chinese dac sound incredibly good for their price".. Second: he sell them because as a reviewer he claim they sound too much the same ( designed in the same mold in a way which fact is not surprizing: how do you make incredibly good dac for a given price, if not by discovering the same good recipe ? You dont add tubes or 2R2 architecture for sure... ) Third: Anybody know it will not be a good idea to use a low cost Chinese Dac so good it could be for the price with a 10,000 bucks speakers and a 10,000 bucks amplifier and pre-amp...( the difference between dac design quality is audible then a dac price must match some price level synergy with other gear pieces price)
What any reviewer never said: Never mind the price , what you hear most of the time as defect or qualities did not come for the most part from the separated gear piece but from the system as a whole working in a specific room, controlled room or not, for a specific pair of ears... And no reviewer will say that acoustics matter more than any gear under review he wish to sell to stay in business... Jay’s is like any other reviewer... Truth can be said but only under this acoustics restriction... Who want to study acoustic basics and experiment ? Almost no one because of lack of time, lack of dedicated room, and anyway, an acoustician cost more for his time and materials than most gear system... Acoustics matter more than a dac at any price...Chinese or not.... And As Jay’s say wisely, standardization process, visible in the Chinese dac specs resembling one another, will not define high end for sure, but will serve purpose for those who look for good sound at low cost price... My low cost speakers system satisfy me for my need... If i want high end i go to my headphone AKG K340... Here my chinese dac match well and best my K340 needs for a leaner sound.. it is called synergy...
What matter is what is denied or underestimated by objectivists sticking to their tech specs or subjectivist sticking to their "taste", it is acoustics concepts and parameters use by an audiophile who learn how to use them. Period. This is not in Jay’s video. And it will never be even if he review acoustics panels sold as the ultimate solution.Panels dont replace all acoustics concepts and needs.Sorry.
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