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Author Topic: Purrin's DAC Chart of Awesomeness.  (Read 55388 times)

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Marvey

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Purrin's DAC Chart of Awesomeness.
« on: June 10, 2015, 09:29:43 PM »
Just playing around with stuff. Would prefer a five dimensional arrangement, but collapsed many sound quality aspects down to two dimensions. I would say that I weigh resolution and microdynamics highest, but a combination of many other good qualities may trump the micro-stuff. Moving DAC thread from HF to here.



  • (1) Only with Empirical Audio Off Ramp via i2s, and preferable with DACLadder HDMI solution. Cheap Chinese Gustard does not cut it. Ciunas is better, gets tone right, but is less resolving.
  • (2) Two Lampi Big 5 units were very strident and digital sounding despite tubes. Digital section needs improvement. Has serious potential.
  • (3) Tries to fake full-bodied sound, but SABRE digital sound manages to get through.
  • (4) Used unit. Left on for at least two days before audition. Several pyrates bore witness to perhaps the nastiest glare ever heard.
  • (5) Similar to Invicta, see #3 above, but even more all over the place.
  • (6) FRM filter
  • (7) Super laid-back, polite, forgiving. k.
  • ( 8) Euphonic, but still a bit digital sounding. Difficult to categorize.
  • (9) PWD mk1 with upgrade board. New PWD mk2 from factory sounded inferior.
  • (10) Delta-sigma digital section much inferior to Yggy. Tube analog output section is clearer and more dynamic.
  • (11) Older firmware and 384 USB
« Last Edit: September 08, 2015, 08:37:46 PM by Marvey »
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lm4der

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2015, 09:37:57 PM »
Just to clarify, was that Modi 2 in the chart uber or non-uber?  I assume no Wyrd was in the chain?

Thanks!

EDIT, edit:  Also, where do you get a USB Gen 3 upgrade for Bifrost/Gungnir?  I thought it was only Gen2...
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Marvey

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2015, 09:38:37 PM »
No Uber, no Wyrd. I'll color code stuff that represents poor / value and perhaps put rankings on them.
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Hifi01170

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2015, 10:20:02 PM »
Thanks for this chart! Eager to see it with color codes poor / value!   headbang
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smitty1110

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2015, 10:26:39 PM »
Very nice, and more stuff about [REDACTED] is always welcome.
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AustinValentine

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2015, 11:13:36 PM »
#TheTruthisOutThere #R2RGungnirTruthers #MultibitMulders

(Also, yeah this chart is excellent.)
« Last Edit: June 10, 2015, 11:14:29 PM by purr1n »
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Marvey

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2015, 11:14:06 PM »
Probably a dozen DACs I need to add. 80% of them were so bad I didn't bother.



Quote from: AustinValentine on June 10, 2015, 11:13:36 PM
(Also, yeah this chart is excellent.)

I figure this chart provides more context. Gotta give Gartner some credit. Will still rank stuff according to my preferences - at least for entertainment. Lots of people helped. Traded a lot of subjective impressions with others, so not a lone project.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2015, 11:20:39 PM »
To cut down on "Where would you put XXX"?  May want a list of the "Not even on the Chart" DACs.   :& 
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Clemmaster

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2015, 11:36:56 PM »
You're such a tease!
I think I know which one it is, though.

Nice chart, BTW.
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mikoss

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Re: Purrin's DAC Chart
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2015, 11:51:34 PM »
Excellent resource! If I knew how to give brownie points, I would. Thanks!
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