Do some DACs "handle" sibilance better than others?


I recently watched a  Hans B. review of the Ferrum Wandla in which he states that it "handles sibilance well," or something to that effect. Up to that point, I'd never come across such a comment, so I'm wondering whether anyone here has found that certain DACs are more/less prone to sibilance?  

 

 

 

stuartk

I find cheaper single-bit/delta-sigma DACs can have some sizzle up top and grainy/overdone sibilancs and less so with R2R DACs, but this is just a generalization and I’m sure there are exceptions. 

Yes. But you have to understand that if sibilance is on the recording a transparent system will reproduce it. Difference is how sibilance is rendered which can be influenced not only by a DAC but also by cables, speakers (especially with metal, diamond or beryllium tweeters) and room acoustics. DAC is not always the culprit. 

@audphile1 

Thanks, Z

I meant: "all other things being equal", can one DAC present more apparent sibilance than another?

;o)

I haven’t heard sibilance be an issue with DACs in practice but I suppose anything is possible and certainly different DACs can sound quite different.