This DAC exists for the same reasons why multipath ADC exist and are successful (like STAGETEC's TrueMatch, 158dB of dynamic range for their Mic ADC) : No need to ever worry about headroom vs noise anymore, no trade-offs, no operator errors wrt gain structure anymore.
That might be irrelevant in a simple home stereo final consumer setting, but in a pro environment this can become relevant quickly.
BTW, multipath ADC are mainstream these days and found in audio gear like digital guitar preamps, field recorders etc.
I see no reason why (affordable) multipath DACs won't gain traction as well.
For 16bit home audio playback it's overkill, sure, but home audio is just one (small) market segment for audio gear.
That might be irrelevant in a simple home stereo final consumer setting, but in a pro environment this can become relevant quickly.
BTW, multipath ADC are mainstream these days and found in audio gear like digital guitar preamps, field recorders etc.
I see no reason why (affordable) multipath DACs won't gain traction as well.
For 16bit home audio playback it's overkill, sure, but home audio is just one (small) market segment for audio gear.
Not sure if TI's approach counts, as it makes do with a single DAC and a PGA, but TI has multiple ADC chips with that.
So we remove the most basic sound engineers skill, correct level setting. Which with a 20...24 ADC is really not that hard.
I routinely use digital mixers and never found setting the input level a problem
Setting the EQ by ringing out the stage and Mic's and then gainriding to bring out the solo performer or perhaps to move the bass forward in the mix, because it's a song where the bass drives everything, now that useful.
But a 160dB ADC doesn't help neither does AI.
So even in a professional context I remain unconvinced.
Thor
John is the indeed the real deal and he has spent ten years working on this. I remember visiting him in his garage over thirty years ago when he was building his first microphone pre amplifiers. He was very carefully measuring and matching parts on his AP back then.
As others have stated, I also wonder how they managed to design and, more importantly, build an adequate power supply to those claimed specifications.
Even with multiple DAC paths and specific DAC path-tailored bit-shifts, there are crucial system blocks that operate in the analog domain and share power supply rails and ground planes with the rest of the (additional) noise-generating system blocks. PCB layout and noise isolation between these system blocks would need to be something out of this world, which, judging by the overall sentiment, the designer is capable of designing.... Or, is it all the marketing BS that is messing with common logic.... and the laws of physics.
Here's the system diagram, courtesy of Jan Didden of "AudioXpress":
https://audioxpress.com/news/imersi...analog-converter-completes-32-bit-audio-chain
I circled in red the two system blocks that would have to exhibit extraordinary precision, and be supplied with power supply rails of extraordinary noise performance (mind you: at room temperatures, using conventional parts), while existing on separate ground plane(s) from the rest of the noisy digital system blocks:
Even with multiple DAC paths and specific DAC path-tailored bit-shifts, there are crucial system blocks that operate in the analog domain and share power supply rails and ground planes with the rest of the (additional) noise-generating system blocks. PCB layout and noise isolation between these system blocks would need to be something out of this world, which, judging by the overall sentiment, the designer is capable of designing.... Or, is it all the marketing BS that is messing with common logic.... and the laws of physics.
Here's the system diagram, courtesy of Jan Didden of "AudioXpress":
https://audioxpress.com/news/imersi...analog-converter-completes-32-bit-audio-chain
I circled in red the two system blocks that would have to exhibit extraordinary precision, and be supplied with power supply rails of extraordinary noise performance (mind you: at room temperatures, using conventional parts), while existing on separate ground plane(s) from the rest of the noisy digital system blocks:
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