DAC recommendation

[Lawrence001]

There aren't really any cons to either approach. Done properly you will get a D to A conversion that is as close to perfect as is possible.

Discrete R-2R tend to be more expensive because of the need to match the resistors in the ladder to close tolerances. And you won't get as good a measured performance but done properly it will still be transparent.

In the old days all DACs were R-2R, but using a chip rather than a discrete resistor ladder, so to some extent they are a bit of a throwback. Personally I reckon the power supply implementation is more relevant to sound quality than how the D to A conversion is done.

I was wondering why the old TDA1541 CDPs didn't have resistor ladders, which chip provides the voltage "summation", is it the SA something or other?

[Gazjam]

Would be good to hear a modern DAC that could rival my big 'ol battleship, multi-bit Sony... Sadly, it hasn't happened so far, as every time I take it to a bake-off, the rather rude old ruffian has the audacity to win!

Marco.

Always wanted to hear your Dac Marco,
Maybe when normality's back again and your up in the old Country, bring it up and pop in for a visit?

Be interesting to compare it to my Directstream.

[Lawrence001]

Just listed a cheap R2R DAC in the classifieds, you can't really go wrong with it.

[Marco]

Always wanted to hear your Dac Marco,
Maybe when normality's back again and your up in the old Country, bring it up and pop in for a visit?

Be interesting to compare it to my Directstream.

Hi Gaz,

Apologies for the late reply - thought I had done, but hadn't!

Yeah, defo will do that. It would be great to see you again, too. Will be popping up to see Grant, so could kill two birds

Does your CD transport have a coaxial output? The Sony doesn't have an optical one. 1987 tech, lol...

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Yup,
coax output.

[Firebottle]

Would be good to hear a modern DAC that could rival my big 'ol battleship, multi-bit Sony... Sadly, it hasn't happened so far, as every time I take it to a bake-off, the rather rude old ruffian has the audacity to win!

Marco.

It would be great to bring my Pegasus R-2R up to yours for a comparison, if you are up for it?

[Gazjam]

It would be great to bring my Pegasus R-2R up to yours for a comparison, if you are up for it?

Hey Alan,
How you doing fella?

Yeah, more (jabbed n masked) the merryier!

Your Dac sounds intriguing actually, I know you don't wax lyrical about anything unless your confident in its sound (and you have an EE trained set of ears) so aye, very welcome Sir.

[Marco]

Yup,
coax output.

Quality... In that case it'd be a goer. Maybe sometime late August? We've got some refurbishments to do around the house before then and we want to try and fit in a break to Pembroke-shire

Marco.

[Marco]

It would be great to bring my Pegasus R-2R up to yours for a comparison, if you are up for it?

Defo mate, always up for that, and would be great to see you again

As I've just said to Gaz though, probably wouldn't be able to do anything until end Aug/Sept, if that's cool?

What's the Pegasus about then - something you've designed yourself or bought? Soz, I'm rather out of touch these days with new gear,

Marco.

[CageyH]

Defo mate, always up for that, and would be great to see you again

As I've just said to Gaz though, probably wouldn't be able to do anything until end Aug/Sept, if that's cool?

What's the Pegasus about then - something you've designed yourself or bought? Soz, I'm rather out of touch these days with new gear,

Marco.

It is a commercial R-2R DAC. I am not sure if Alan has used any magic EE fairy dust on this one though.