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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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In Reply to: RE: Rank components in order of sonic impact in YOUR audio setup posted by AbeCollins on August 5, 2012 at 12:55:28:
I ranked everything in relative order even though I believe everything is important to the final sound.
I use the internal DACs in my SACD/DVD-Audio player which was designed before DSD out was offered on HDMI. I use the analog outs anyway, as that is my what tubed AMC pre-amp uses.
I have tried the Bryston BDA-1 DAC which I reviewed awhile back using Toslink Optical outs. I couldn't use USB as at that time the Bryston was restricted to 44.1kHz with USB. Anyway with the Toslink Optical output the Bryston would not do 176.4kHz or 192kHz even the the specs for the Mac Mini says it will and the Bryston also claims up to 192kHz in for Optical. So I was restricted to 96kHz. I have Leopard OS 10.5.8 on my 2007 Mac Mini have been told that my Firewire 400 will get me up to 192kHz out.
While in many areas I like the Bryston DAC, I didn't like it well enough to buy it at industrial accommodation prices, I don't like the sound or comfort level of 16/44.1 music files lossly or lossless but those types of files sounded better with the Bryston over Mac Mini internal DAC. However with 24 bit music files up to 96kHz (since I couldn't do higher Bryston) in some ways I preferred them with the Bryston when upsampled by the Bryston to 192kHz in some sonic areas, in others I actually preferred the internal DAC in the Mac Mini using Monster Cable stereo mini to 2 RCAs one of the auxiliary inputs of my tubed preamp, the output of the Bryston DAC used another auxiliary input on my preamp using Monster Cable interconnects. Here is my review of the Bryston BDA-1 DAC if you are interested: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue49/bryston.htm
When comparing the internal DAC to an external DAC remember your computer's output volume is disabled when using the "digital outs" to an external DAC so check your computer's output volume when unplugging the digital cable and re-plugging the analog cable. If your computer is like my Mac Mini it lowers the volume from 100% to 50% which drastically decreases the resolution, I have discovered my computer's output volume MUST be set at 100% for good sound quality, anything less sounds terrible. Thus volume in Core Audio, System Preferences and in iTunes MUST be set at maximum level (100%) and never lowered as it will drastically reduce resolution, this is because one loses resolution when decreasing volume in the digital domain, Instead control the volume with your preamp.
I recently went from Apple Lossless to AIFF as I found the sound quality superior with my 24/88.2kHz and higher music files, so it seems the internal DACs are pretty resolving, in some ways the sound is smoother than my modified SACD/DVD-Audio player, however I still think SACDs have the finest sound quality. So I am not really dedicated to computers. I have not given up on DACs for computers and will be trying one of the new DSD DACs that also do up to 32 bit 384kHz that are coming out soon. If I am going to pay real money, I want a DAC that is better than the internal DAC in ALL sonic areas, not just some.
Still I think software is the most important, with LPs that means 45 RPM usually sounds superior to 33 RPM and I like 180/200 gram pressings the best.
With Reel to Reel 7½ IPS and 15 IPS sound the best, especially if the are real time duplicated on mastering tape.
With SACDs I prefer DSD or well made analog recordings especially using tubes. DVD-Audios I like 24/96 and 24/192 from either PCM or well made analog recordings.
On the computer my favorite music files are 24/96 copies of audiophile LPs. However Reference Recordings 24/176.4 HRx's actually sound the best, along with MA 24 bit DVD-R's, and Chesky 24/96 downloads from HDTracks.
If I knew this was the post on Computer Audio Asylum I would not have played, as physical formats are more important to me.
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Follow Ups
- Abe I had no idea this was moved from Computer Audio - Teresa 20:02:06 08/05/12 (0)
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