Digital Drive

Best processors -but best tech ?

32.215.21.199

This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In surveying the top-rated digital processors, I was stunned that most don't use a true ladder (R2R) DAC. Now, I'm aware that we don't *need* these for good sound but for $35,000, I would expect to get as much 'real' tech as possible. Meaning without hyper-processing, if possible.

For many years, a number of audiophiles have sworn-against delta-sigmas and sworn-by by full ladder-DACs. Lynn Olsen's reports on PFO are one example.

Take the Soulution 560, a 1-bit DAC (whose chip costs $40), with a digital volume control, is priced at $35,000. Good sound, yes, it has great parts and close attention to noise regulation, p/s, output stage, etc.

But this product is not alone, as most 'world's best' DACs are in the same league. Whether the Chord Dave, EMM DA2, Berkeley Alpha Ref, DCS DACS (various), Gryphon Kalliope -all of these use low-bit (cheap) D to A converters, with lots of band-aide processing.

Worse, it seems that even the *processing* is slow, as noted by Dave K. (here) last year. At least, when referring to DCS gear.

Of the 'world's best', only Trinity, CH Precision, Totaldac and MSB are using the full-ladder approach.

Charlie Hansen once said it's like comparing a boxed-cake with one made from scratch. For this kind of cash, I would want scratch...

Follow Ups: