Worth buying a dac?

[Bcdesign]

Hey guys,

 

Quick question, is it worth buying a stand alone DAC if I already have one intergarated (Rotel A14)?

If so, what price point would I need to be in to notice an improvement compared to the intergrated. 

 

Thanks!

[andyr]

31 minutes ago, Bcdesign said:

Hey guys,

 

Quick question, is it worth buying a stand alone DAC if I already have one integrated (Rotel A14)?

 

Good question.  

 

It all depends on whether an external DAC will sound better than the chip used in the A14.

 

And the answer is ... you need to listen to some candidates, to see (hear!) whether they do sound better.

 

I had a similar issue - would external DACs sound better than the ones miniDSP use in their products?

 

In my case, Topping E30s certainly did sound better.  

 

31 minutes ago, Bcdesign said:

If so, what price point would I need to be in to notice an improvement compared to the integrated. 

 

Thanks!

 

That's a very difficult Qu to answer - it depends on how good your:

• system is
• room is
• and your ears are!  

In my case, the $215 E30s certainly sounded better (I had to buy 4 of them).  I suspect more expensive DACs would've sounded even better ... but at a helluva cost.  

 

Andy

 

[Bcdesign]

Thanks a lot for the response Andy.

[knotscott]

DAC technology improves continuously, so older DACs arent' that difficult to improve upon.  I had a 25 year old Denon, and bought an inexpensive Topping E30.  I wasn't sure if it'd be noticeable, but it bested the Denon pretty easily.  

 

I agree with Andy....more expensive DACs might be even better, but at what improvement vs the cost?

Edited August 10, 2021 by knotscott

[tripitaka]

As others have alluded, it depends not only on how excellent your current inbuilt dac is, but also on the other components in the chain.

Your output will be limited by the 'weakest link' - if your dac is currently your weakest link then you might hear a difference by upgrading, but if your source (for example) is holding you back then you'll likely be throwing your money away by changing dac.

 

But as every audiophile says (amidst ongoing destruction of their bank account), 'theres only one way to find out'

[Ittaku]

Yes

[allthumbs]

What are you missing in regards to sonics with your current set up?

 

For instance I use a Topping D30 or E30 with a my Cambridge 651a but I am very happy with inbuilt DAC on my Quad Vena (1).

 

 

[Bcdesign]

Thank you all for the input.

 

I guess I'm just trying to pinpoint the weakest link and was thinking that an inbuilt DAC may be a contenter?

 

Was watching this video the other day which made me think even more that "investing" in a good dac may improve my system.

 

 

No really sure what's missing with current system, perhaps nothing, but chasing the ever elusive perfect sound is a real addiction 🥲

[Guest]

There are many people who enjoy chasing the next upgrade and will suggest getting a better DAC.

 

I am in the much smaller group that prefer a simpler setup.  Your Rotel does the work of 3 components, DAC, preamp, power amp plus cables.  Suggest upgrading to an integrated with a DAC, and even consider including a streamer in the one box.  Yes, the outlay could be higher initially but it will likely be less than the sum of all the components and cables.  Also, people tend to downplay the time and effort to match things.

 

It comes down to which approach you prefer...

[Guest]

For OP to consider, which IMHO, way better than looking for a separate DAC

 

[blakey72]

Well I bought an older Audio-gd dac and it's bettered everything I had by a large margin. So this 'may' improve things over the Rotel but as others have said, hard to say without hearing. This probably would but it's big bucks 

Edited August 20, 2021 by blakey72

[Rob Wright]

I have both a FiiO M11 DAP and a Rotel RCD 12 cd player with the wolfsen 8740 dac chip (which is extremely highly regarded chip) in it as sources.

 

I recently bought (my first DAC) a "reference quality"  Pro-ject RS DAC box with the upgraded power supply. It reviews quite highly. It has solid state and tube stages and two filters. Solid state has been used in this listening test.

 

Both sources are able to be hooked into the DAC and the pre amp simultaneously so it is possible to A & B listen to them quite quickly by pressing the input button on the pre.

 

The sound from the FiiO M11 direct to an analogue amp compared to a phone or laptop is by far superior in all facets.

 

The sound from the FiiO M11 routed through the RS DAC Box is discernably different, however having said that I would not say that either is "superior" to the other, it would depend on your taste. I would probably describe it as the FiiO sounding "wider".

 

The Rotel RCD12 and the Pro-ject DAC? I'd have to say line ball on sounding virtually the same to the point where only an expert could tell me the difference. But the RCD 12 does have the 8740 chip so...

 

I am not an "audiophile", just someone that has always owned reasonable equipment that you can only get from proper hi fi shops or second hand.

 

My lesson from buying my first DAC? It's a keeper, I love it, and; my ears are not good enough to appreciate the small nuances that now require large dollars to get.

[Liquid Duke]

Hi. 

I think if you buy a cheap external dac ( $600- 700) it won't sound any better than your rotel dac.

However if you're ready to spend say

$ 1500- $2500 on something reputable, the sound quality will improve dramatically.

Cheers

 

Edited September 4, 2021 by Keza_punk

[Bcdesign]

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Ended up grabbing a schiit modi 3+ and upgraded the pi to an allo digione signature.

Not sure what's responsible and don't really care to do a blind test but big improvement in sound. Blacker background, improved separation, more detail.

Guessing it's mostly the digi sig.

Highly recommended. 

[Addicted to music]

On 10/08/2021 at 9:01 PM, andyr said:

 

In my case, the $215 E30s certainly sounded better (I had to buy 4 of them).  I suspect more expensive DACs would've sounded even better ... but at a helluva cost.  

 

Andy

 

 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-e30-dac-review.12119/
 

Impressive for its price on the test bench, really no need to spend mega bucks!  

 

[sjay]

On 10/08/2021 at 8:20 PM, Bcdesign said:

Hey guys,

 

Quick question, is it worth buying a stand alone DAC if I already have one intergarated (Rotel A14)?

If so, what price point would I need to be in to notice an improvement compared to the intergrated. 

 

Thanks!

do not listen to any of these guys, they are going to trick you into buying one and its a down hill slide from there on in. Its like crack, be wise and stay well away from this area of audiofoolery

[Rob McHugh]

Save up, go all out and get the Schitt Yggdrasil; I’ve never regretted it.