Unique question-Which DIY DAC to get?! LOL

[qusp]

it is the DDDAC ... but yes its WAAAY outside budget

ps. i've found google to be of great help for such queries

 

[billyk]

If you are that small a budget, you may want to re-examine the use of the balanced inputs on the amp.

PS: Google is your friend!

 

[keager]

I did google it, but I guess with being new to this, I was looking for a summary of what sets the ddac apart from other dac's. My budget is flexible if spending more equals a large increase in sound quality. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Bas Horneman]

What I don't understand is where a another dac would fit into your system. The way I understand it now you have a SB touch...digital out -> MINIDSP 8*8 -> amps -> speakers.

Since I'm assuming the MINIDSP is a DAC already but one that does dsp so you can do room corrections and or crossover stuff...bla bla bla.

To summarize I can't see how and where you would insert this new dac of yours.

 

[Bas Horneman]

Ok. Re-read your first post. It appears that you are planning to use the MiniDsp 8*8 for your subs only. The reason I did not understand that at first is because of the 8 channels.

So I'm assuming you want to use the MiniDsp for subs. And get another high quality DAC kit for your main speakers.

In that case what sets the DDDAC apart from other dacs in my mind is that for 400 euros. (Assuming you buy the Complete DAC SET: DAC and USB WaveIO Board - KIT and both PSU kids.) You get an absolute high end..if not reference quality DAC.

 

[keager]

I think the ddac is the route I will go.

 

[Almeg69]

Just spent a good 3 hours going through CD`s through the DDDAC.

If you can get to hear one, please do so, I have not heard digital audio or now analogue any better than now. If you have the budget,go for the 4 stack and allow for the transformers at a later date for the ultimate performance.

I am constantly amazed by the Dac`s sound quality and I have only got 44.1 Red Book !!!;-)

 

[keager]

thanks for the input! it is appreciated.

 

[keager]

then my next challenge would be what to use for volume control. The mini dsp and squeezebox both have it, but it is digital.....

 

[Hugh Jazz]

If you want the NOS @ 384khz, AD1955 can also do, but hard to find such project.

 

[druu]

keager, how did you go with this? I'm about to go the dddac route for monitoring in my mastering rig (already using a pcm1794a based dac but want a more elegant solution, hence the dddac choice).

I'll also be using an analog volume control but yet to decide which route to take. Goldpoint springs to mind but may just go ALPS for the interim..

 

[thommy]

I also use a DDDAC in my mastering setup. Much less fatiguing on the ears when compared to a more typical upsampling DAC.

I have found that setting the gain on the WaveIO card to -12dB gives me a comfortable maximum on the master fader without the need for any analogue attenuation whatsoever.

 

[druu]

Interesting. So this method effectively sets your calibrated reference level (ie 83/85dB)?

I sometimes monitor at lower levels so will need an analog attenuator.