New Type of DAC

Now I finally understand how the DR = 168 dB comes from.  One of the D-1 specs also says

• Self-Noise 20Hz-22kHz bandwidth:
  • -146dBu unweighted (calculated)

The self-noise is "calculated" under no load (signal) at idle when integrated over the entire frequency bandwidth (noise level is freq. dependent).  Conversion back to the ’ratio’ = 10^(-146/20) = 50 nV (nano-volts=10^-9V).  So, by definition, DR = 20 log(Vfs / Vn) = 20 log[10 / (50x10^-9)] = 166 dB. (slightly deviate from 168 dB due to the calculated self-noise inaccuracy)  Note that Vfs is the full-scale (max.) voltage from its line out and Vn is the self-noise voltage.

I don’t know how other high-end DACs are compared with D-1 in terms of self-noise measure (again, at idle) simply because other DACs do not publish it.  BUT, based on the DR / SNR converted from THD+N measure, D-1 (-114 dB) is actually no better than the top measured DAC such as Benchmark DAC 3 (128dB), Topping D90 III Discrete (131dB) or dCS Bartok (135dB).  *** Note I do not imply how D-1 sounds compared to these top measured devices.

    Just my 2cents as the D-1 is way over my "budget"....but from the discussion I smell BS marketing, lost in measurements. 

  But Misti's question of how can a DAC expand dynamic range above recorded levels reminded me of actually hearing an improvement the other day.  Listening with three different stand alone headphone stacks to a standard rebook cd of     Dire Straits it was obvious that the top tier stack (OPPO 83, I2s, Pontus II 12th, Holo Bliss KTE, Susvara OGs) on some of the very low volume vocal intervals were more detailed and "hearable" while at the same time sudden drum hit or guitar note were still very fast and textured and suddenly loud, compared to the 2 lower performing systems.

   That is what dynamic range we're discussing here is, right?  That is, the lowest level sounds at the same time VS the loudest sounds.  The faster a DAC can react, the better usually. Beside speed the other how is probably in the DSP processing mentioned in the D-1, raise the low volume, increase the high volume, maintain average volume.

  As far as increasing it above the recorded levels that's almost a remaster on the fly and very probably subject to "taste".

I compare DACs to my turntable to see how good they are. They never come close. I would like to compare the new DCS $250,000 DAC to my turntable. Michael Fraemer was jazzed because he said it came close to analogue. So, I've invested in a good turntable and a not-very-expensive streamer from Moon. All I ask is that it doesn't ruin the music, and it doesn't. It's very musical. I've never noticed that it doesn't sound good when the volume is low.

Imersiv D-1 Multipath DAC - Any updates on this DAC? They are selling it on Sweetwater (link) and SoundPure (link), at $12K, which really is not out of line if it is truly as good as they say it is.  However, I don't see many user reports and some who have heard it mention neutrality and resolution, which sounds a bit like pro audio gear to me (i.e., think Benchmark).

I own this DAC and there is another thread I created in March about the D-1 that I am now updating with my experiences with owning the D-1.

This is 100% pro gear. I have owned the Benchmark DAC1, DAC2, DAC3 and the Imersiv is exponentially better than the Benchmark. It is analytical but I say that in the best possible way. Love this DAC it is unlike anything else I have heard.

BTW - I just sold my Benchmark HPA4 preamp because it was restricting the performance of the D-1. The HPA4 will not do that to no other DAC.