Dac is: Cirrus CS42528
dynamic range of the cirrus is only 114db and the thd is -100dB
hence the specified 114DB of the minidsp website
a bit poor compared to the top ESS 9018 chip with 129dB and 120dB...
If the 4X10hd was build around this chip, price would probably pop from USD500 to maybe USD800... and yet, I would be buying one still.
despite the background noise that is audible between track, I think it is still much better than what you get from your average "very obsolete" 33rpm device... let alone the hum in most single ended tube amp.
the 4x10 has it's flaw but considering alternative options, it's a good value.
dynamic range of the cirrus is only 114db and the thd is -100dB
hence the specified 114DB of the minidsp website
a bit poor compared to the top ESS 9018 chip with 129dB and 120dB...
If the 4X10hd was build around this chip, price would probably pop from USD500 to maybe USD800... and yet, I would be buying one still.
despite the background noise that is audible between track, I think it is still much better than what you get from your average "very obsolete" 33rpm device... let alone the hum in most single ended tube amp.
the 4x10 has it's flaw but considering alternative options, it's a good value.
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i believe it's not just about the DAC's chip, but also the whole implementation.
anyway, i didnt blind test the DAC yet, so i restrain myself with too much comments
Check your gain structure - there should be no background noise. There are several different gains involved, so lots of opportunities to have a sub-optimal configuration.
The exception is if you're running >200 watt amplifiers on a >100db sensitive horn speaker - that sort of mismatch may not be easily correctable - although the appropriate resistance on the input of the amplifier would probably solve even that.
Best,
Tal