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In Reply to: RE: Are audio reviews biased? posted by scruffy_ on November 23, 2016 at 09:35:40
So I own a nce ($1,000 retail on 1995 ish) I bought used for $250.So when the Bryston DAC came out ti many rave reviews..
I bought one.
I was really confused this thing sound no better than my old DAC. I must be doing something wrong.Well after a lot of checking, I realized the Bryston was actually no better. And I took it back for an exchange. (I bought something totally different with the money.
So... All the praise from several magazines meant NOTHING.
Now I have actually found several things which upgraded my setup a big jump.
The latest going from $360 to $1,000 IC. And I mean a wonderful improvement.
But I anm totally skeptical any 'new' DAC can beat an old one unless you spend ten time more, for a slight improvement.When They said perfect sound forever.. I think they really meant it is a limited closed system, and improvements are hard to come by.
Point in fact: look at ANY of the stair-step images of any DACs. They all look the same. $200. or $20,000. (I saw the image for the Bryston DAC3, jeez, the ringing in it sucks) The only difference is if they upsample.
And then the six oz case on $300 DACs , vs the 20 lb case on $20,000 ones. LOL
Edits: 11/23/16Follow Ups:
I totally agree with this.
Why not share that information?
It might help someone looking for a good used dac.
So you want to find this 'giant killer'? LOL
IT is not about this one DAC being better than all the rest at all.
The issue is about that many average old DACs are actually JUST AS GOOD as most new DACs costing a lot more. IMO anyway.
There ARE two tweaks I recommend for DACs to improve performance.
The first one is to stuff the DAC case with antistatic foam.
Generally you need to insulate the foam from any circuit board. But the idea is to fill up the inside of the case with the antistatic foam to soak up any stray RFI bouncing around inside the case. And ground it to the case body with any old wire. You can just stick the bare wire end into the foam right through the baggies used to insulate the foam from the circuitry..
Use the black type foam, not the blue..
The DAC runs no hotter with the foam filling the case.
This tweak which is like forgotten, came from a sidebar years ago in Stereophile. A fellow from the Netherlands mentioned it. I have mentioned it several times.. NO one seems to care.
It works for me.
The second tweak is a lot harder to implement. It involves changing the AC voltage FREQUENCY from 60Hz to something higher. (I use 111Hz myself) You would need to find a PS Audio power regenrator like a P300 or P600 which also has an optional frequency board added. These are old devices, and no optional boards can be bought anymore if you find one without the option.
Those regenerators are the ONLY commercial audio type devices I know of which can output an altered AC frequency. I an amazed here is another interesting tweak no company is wanting to do (anymore Wake up PS Audio.. here is a whole huge area to exploit)..
Anyway, the increased AC frequency improves the energy of the components power supply, It does NOT work well for some power supplies which are of the digital type Do not confuse a digital power supply with a DAC. CD player etc.) .. But for most ordinary power supplies, it improves the sound.
I use my PS Audio P600 sparingly, (to preserve it's life, since it is un-replaceable) only for my digital components, so it is loafing along.
Well you can make that generalization about every component, there will always be a few that can compete or be better than a current component.
You stated that your particular dac, beat out the Bryston.
I have a P300, but I use it for my tube preamp, tuner, transport, and dac.
I don't think my other components would like the higher Hz, I know that I tried it in the past.
Yes there are older dacs that hold their own against current models. Often it can boil down to features, my Camelot Arthur V3 24/192 is a good dac, but it lacks a USB input, and even with USB to spdif converter.
I would be short of inputs.
A lot of times with dacs the way they are implemented and the analog stages, are what matters.
If you have found a dac that can be purchased for much less than a newr model that is really good, why not share what it is? There were also a lot of $1k dacs that wouldn't compete with current models.
I'm sure I am not the only one who would like to know what dac beat the Bryston. Why be secretive about it. You either want to buy everyone of them you can find or you're embarrassed by it.
So share the name of the dac, it will tell us if you hear the same things we do.
If you want to know all the dacs I have had in my system, just ask.
I guess I would rather leave you mystified.
Personally I could care less if you need to verify my personal path.
I am certain you can just try out all your DACs and find one to match your needs.
I wouldn't be surprised. There are many excellent DACs out there that don't have to cost a bundle.
words written, re-written to seem even more clever, edited, re-edited, accompanied by audio porn calibre pics
and presented in a carefully designed glossy mag (or website) surrounded by ads for $$$$$ equipment.
Real, honest comments for real people told unhesitatingly by an experienced user unencumbered
by the restraints and pretension of the industry.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
I too have found dacs to often sound quite similar. It takes a lot of listening to hear the differences.
If they are using the same dac chips then it is almost all in the analog stages.
So what dac is it that beat out the Bryston?
Upgrading DACs can be tough. IMHO, $1000 +/- a little hits the sweet spot just fine these days. I've owned many DACs over the years. I sold my $5000 Luxman DA-06, sold the $3500 Ayre QB-9 DSD, (and bought and sold many others). My $1299 MSRP DAC is just perfect for my needs.
Abe-
you own and have owned some very fine gear over the years.
I still want your Accuphase CD player (whenever you are ready to sell).
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you're truly interested in the Accuphase DP-65v give my shout when things settle down a bit (holidays, etc). It's a great sounding CD player but I hardly use it anymore. I have two remote controls for it.
It has Optical and Coax input to the DAC section but it won't handle 'hi-res'. I believe it will take 16 - 24 bit up to 48KHz (which includes 16/44.1KHz for CD resolution)..... no DSD or 24/96, 24/192, etc.
Abe- have not received a reply to my PM ?
I don't know the answers to your questions about parts availability. Yes, the unit is old but I've had no problems with it. Will it need a laser replacement soon, in the next few years? I don't know.
PM sent to you, Abe.
Happy Thanksgiving.
JA FANT
fantja@gmail.com
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