Honest with genuine testing methodology. Too bad their ears can't hear what should have been drastic differences to us.I wanted to rock the boat with that article, but none of us care enough
Like the DAC1, it's a by the numbers device, with parts chosen likely for their numbers rather than what they might actually sound like. The ODAC philosophy is very similar, but at its price it's easier to forgive.
Indeed. To me it depends on where I arbitrarily place my threshold of what is acceptable.Furthermore, IMO headphones tend to cap performance. DACs and Amps can only do so much. I have not heard of a DAC or Amp that will turn United Airlines free-phones into HD800s (even KG and "think-objective" ones).If looking for bang for the buck, and if pursuit for the ultimate plankton fart level of performance is not a priority, I would say the $2 deal sounds pretty good.I think experience of what one gets as one goes up in level of performance, what one is willing to live with, and what one is willing to pay for is a pretty valid and personal determining factor. I personally for one cannot understand how the ODAC+O2 at $290 is a low cost value proposition when faced w say a $50 Creative X-Fi thingy, or indeed a $2 ALC889 solution. Nor how such a combo became the de facto threshold of high fidelity that some think should be accepted by all, when cheaper or more expensive alternatives could suit any given person depending on his or her priorities.
Sorry for necroing this thread, but i think the methodology they used was above and beyond most that ive seen on here and other forums. Do you really think most of us can tell the difference between quality dacs/amps (especially neutral/non coloring) in a double blind test when correctly level matched?An O2/Dac vs Gungnir/Rag vs Xonar vs Polaris vs HDVD800? I understand some people might be able to train themselves to be VERY familiar with their stacks sound signature, especially with their favorite tracks. But id like to know if these trained ears can really tell the difference between hiqh quality source files (FLAC or even 320kb mp3s) and a $200 O2 vs $1000+ stacks on music theyre not familiar with. Measurements are awesome, repeatable with no luck involved - but double blind testing with real people, especially audiophiles would also be great and the best way to measure "subjective opinions". I'm surprised theres no double blind testing at giant headphone meets.
Sorry for necroing this thread, but i think the methodology they used was above and beyond most that ive seen on here and other forums.
Do you really think most of us can tell the difference between quality dacs/amps (especially neutral/non coloring) in a double blind test when correctly level matched?An O2/Dac vs Gungnir/Rag vs Xonar vs Polaris vs HDVD800?
I understand some people might be able to train themselves to be VERY familiar with their stacks sound signature, especially with their favorite tracks. But id like to know if these trained ears can really tell the difference between hiqh quality source files (FLAC or even 320kb mp3s) and a $200 O2 vs $1000+ stacks on music theyre not familiar with.
Measurements are awesome, repeatable with no luck involved - but double blind testing with real people, especially audiophiles would also be great and the best way to measure "subjective opinions".
I'm surprised theres no double blind testing at giant headphone meets.
I also forgot to point out that "$2" in that page is a bit sensationalist. It's an integrated solution and it will not work unless it's supplied with power, an interface, and so forth... Then does $2 are not $2 anymore...
