What about all those Chinese DACs?


It seems like everywhere I look, there are DACs from China that have these amazing specs on paper. SNR: >133 dB; THD: 0.000004%;

Dynamic Range: 124dB. If you really think about it, these were specs that almost didn't exist outside of pro-audio gear. A lot of these units have chips from ESS, Cirrus Logic, Texas Instruments and very sophisticated conversion circuitry.

So, my question is, what do you all think?

usatran

@steakster 

Thank you for that...

What a Best Buy could be?..laugh

Not sure the numbers add up but China is taking the lead. They don't seem to be ignoring American brands, either. 

Perhaps if it proliferates in China such a store will find a home in the U.S. 

The listening rooms are to die for. I always thought that if you make the gear sound better, more folks will purchase the items. I guess, though, if you are not routinely selling sound treatments (maybe buy an AMP get a free diffuser!?), you may find a lot of returns from folks who find it doesn't sound the same at home.

 

After multi years of using a custom design Valve DAC, I made an inroad to create a change yesterday. A Topping D90 Sabre III is now ordered.

Usually I put in the footwork and make educated decisions on how I spend money on audio.

In this case, I wanted to get my new desire underway without creating too much hubbub. I am intending on learning exactly where I can take my Digital Source, which is an area in audio I have been stagnant in, but not deprived of attractive digital replays.

The challenge is set for myself to experience CD and SD Card as Source supported by a Valve Digital, i.e, Digital replayed through a Valve DAC and Valve Amplification. Also, the CD / SD Card used as Digital Source replayed as a full SS System and Digital replayed through a hybrid system, even inclusive of wedded Valve/SS DAC's to be a digital-to-digital > DAC.

An under £1K DAC as an initial SS circuit purchase has now enabled the trials to begin. Where is it to go ???? It is impossible to know, as meeting with others much more savvy than myself has always opened up avenues never before considered. There is no foreseen reason these newly wanted discoveries to be made will remain hidden.  

n