Do DACs Matter? (my experience)

Do DACs matter? This is a question I have been working on answering for a long time. For me, at least, I think I have come to an acceptable conclusion. There are definitely differences between DACs, and you’ll certainly see improvement in sound quality over built-in DACs. I also feel you see improvements up to the typical $100 DACs that are pretty much ubiquitous from all audio companies. After that….

As stated in the video, I have not tried anything real high end yet, so maybe my opinion will change after that, but I am skeptical. I do have a SMSL SU-9 on the way, so look for a review of that in the future.

Here’s some of the DACs I’ve tried / mentioned in the video (affiliate):

Here’s links to some headphone amp comparisons I’ve done:

As usual, I’d also recommend looking for used options at:

[theonlyegg]

Chord has got everyone believing that box is filled with unicorn farts.

[Coneman]

Some say it’s the DAC chip, some whether delta signs or r2r. I suspect it’s mostly how well it is designed.

[kalihipalama]

Appreciate your upload and testing of your repertoire of DACs. I own the red Behringer and would like to know if you think it has a phase heavy echo sound compared to the $100 DACS. Thanks much!!!

[starker]

Thank you for this. On a FB computer build group, a guy was insisting that I run an external DAC in order to avoid noise. I wasn't very convinced my expensive motherboard would have introduced noise to the audio. I have an Aiyima T9 pro, so I decided to do a comparison. I did not find any noise.
Thanks to your video here I did an other test to try and notice a difference in sound performance. Yes the DAC in my Aiyima sounded better than my motherboard's DAC. This is a bummer since the mother board has a series of outputs intended to support 7.1. Once again my 2-channel stereo wants aren't playing nice with my surround sound wants.
Now I am torn between getting a needed preamp for the 3.5mm variable AUX output of the Aiyima so I can fee the other preamp side of my other Chinese amps. I have been getting multiple amps to support AUX 3.5 to amp then to passive speakers. This is great fun to do speaker comparisons and weens me off the poor powered speaker products made for computers.
I can optionally get a lead DAC for the conversion directly from the PC's optical. Depending on the product chosen, this may also require a downstream pre-amp.
It never ceases to amaze me how often the audio product market never seems to offer features you want, with good quality and reasonable price. Why can't they all sound like my Sansui 2000.
The disease of FOMO is real. I don't recommend exploring unless you are ok with wanting things :)

[drewmorg.]

Went from UMC22 Behringer DAC line out to my Magni to power my Edition XS and DT 770 pro 80ohm to a Modi -> Magni and besides the very obvious power jump (1v vs 2v) I did pick up some small differences. What I can say is every sound that comes out now (regardless of headphones) sounds more "interesting". As if every noise whether it is faint or in your face has more overall punch and definition to it. Movies illustrate this well. I went back and forth A-B testing to the UMC22 headphone output on its own (at reasonable volumes so it was not distorting) and I would describe the more complex sounds as "crushed" when listening to the UMC22 alone. Things also have more separation in the sound stage between the 2 and noises transition from side to side a little more decisively when using the Stack. If you want to get the best out of your headphones I would say it's necessary. Also objectively the white noise floor is much lower and I think anyone can appreciate that when listening at higher volumes.

[timothyfreeseha]

Good advice. I think you have the direction right- Headphone first, then amp, and always with your sources in mind...which might be analog.

[bleucosmo]

Just received my SA-1 today, I paired it to my SMSL SU-8s....and got blown away. My Focal Elegia, 6xx and even iems like Blessing 2Dusk, 7z Timeless all played on high gain and balanced cables just revealed themselves. I don't think I would have such a high degree of improvement with an upgrade to the Schist Bifrost and my SMSL SH-8s. Can't wait to introduce the SA-1 to a "worthy" dac.

[msd]

I think I can hear a very minor difference between my old Sony PHA-1 and my Apple USB-C adapter, but it might just be a difference in output impedance and channel balance. The Sony sounds slightly smoother and more "laid back." Apple sounds slightly clearer or sharper.

[feeateruwu]

man the most honest content ive been looking for weeks

[Strngboy]

Be interesting to see you compare the sigma delta dacs with a mulitbit like the Mimby. I have one and would say this one changes the conversation between comparing dacs. Great video and keep them coming

[Kumodot]

I have one of those Cheap $30 ones and i am using the SPDIF from my MOBO to it and to a pair of Rokit5. And I am hearing pops when i use some of my other usb devices. Do you think a better dac would possibly fix it ? (I know it's hard to know)

[simpsonbergman]

If you get to try a multibit DAC I will be interested in your impression. I never heard any of those and I'm considering that.

[leninreddy]

Just found about your channel. Enjoying your content. Subscribed. Keep the good work man. Means a lot

[thevindictive]

I got the He400se with the Fiio k5 ess both for 150 bucks. Now i am aiming for the hifiman edition x, for the next upgrade. But gonna wait for a year first and learn more on hifi set ups. Still havent even got my amp yet and already planning for upgrade.

Plug the he400se directly to the PC, was barely audible. DAC amps is a MUST.

[Simsonlover]

features and connections was exactly why i choose the dac that i choose... and because it mets my standards but having a remote with switchable channels, headphone and speakers seperated channels, mute, volume control with remote...

really looking forward to it

[FabioKasper]

I only hear differences in DACs when I compare (any sample) against that $10 Prozor. Same form factor you had in the video.

For others, specially after level matching, I still can't hear a difference. Will keep trying.

[TC-bzsm]

Thanks for sharing and appreciate your straightforward no hype styles! I’d like to start the journey, after reading your hardware reviews, I got a probably ignorant question, I only use iPhone AAC files （as I bought hundreds of songs from iTune） does it make sense to get a dad amp combo, even your favorite Cayin RU6, would that make a significant upgrade on the sound /Soundstage for lossy files?

[runorrunor]

From my experience I put things in such order:
1. The very music record
2. Speakers
3. Room
4. DAC
etc

P.S.
I am in love with my Modi 3😍

[SlippstersVideos]

I have the Sony NW A55 Walkman, and a pair of 1More Quad Driver IEH, the sound is weak; I don't have a headphone amp yet,
guess I need one? Suggestions?
I am new to all this, your video is extremely insightful, answered many ?'s I have seen a few of these on amazon, thinking "wtf are these? do I need one? " "How much should I spend?" I have folders full of flac's, and i can convert cd's to flac, I am exploring the whole HI-RES AUDIO / SOUND thing, and any point in ripping CDs to 24/96? or stay 16/144? and so called Hi-Res content can only be purchased correct?
too many questions? heh...lol (this is for nice audio on my bike rides)
I use Soundcore Liberty Pro 2 and 3 (Ldac) Bluetooth True Wireless ear phones and want to step it up.

edit later that day: ok settled on this one..
FiiO BTR5-2021 Receiver Bluetooth5.0 Headphone Amp Hi-Res 384K/32Bit Native DSD256 USB DAC Supports LDAC/aptX HD CVC 8.0 for Phone/PC/Car/Home Audio(Comes with Type-C to Lightning Cable)

[ironsienna]

Everything depends on the resolution of the rest of your system.