New Type of DAC

@sidewinder1 

How do you get on PF’s mailing list?  I searched their website and found nothing.  
Thanks!

Hi curiousjim,

Have no idea as to how to get on the PF mailing list.

I had simply found the PF link from someone else who was looking at the imersive D-1.

Interesting 

Something is spooky about D-1 published specs on DR and SNR of 168dB, which are significantly higher than any DAC in the market.  According to manufacture, D-1 has 10 volts line output, so it provides 22dBu max. signal level.  Here are its published specs:

• THD+N at 1kHz (22kHz BW):
  • 0.0002% at +22dBu
• THD+N at 20kHz (80kHz BW):
  • 0.0005% at +22dBu
• Dynamic Range:
  • 168dB (28-bits)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
  • 168dB (28-bits)

At the full scale (22dBu), its THD+N is measured at 0.0002% (let’s take the best of the two).  Expressing that ratio to dB = 20 log(0.000002) = -114 dB.  Assuming its distortion is much much less than the signal (it got to be for a claimed audiophile grade DAC), the SNR = -THD+N = 114dB.  Assuming its noise/distortion measurements are correct, how can its DR and SNR be so high as 168dB which leads to 28 effective number of bits?

How can it be possible?  Can someone shed a light?

Interesting numbers, but how can a DAC add dynamic range to what's on a recording?  One also has the issue of our listening rooms.  Short of being in an anechoic chamber, the lowest background noise in most homes is around 30 dB and often higher.  Assuming one is listening at 100 dB (which is bad for one's hearing for extended periods), that's 70 dB of dynamic range. Add another 10 dB for peaks at the top end (and 110 dB is really unsafe) and we're talking 80 dB.  Sounds below the 30 dB bottom end are lost in room noise.   So, we're back to the issue of what's the point?