Quote:
Originally Posted by SAM992
Yes and no... in terms of pre-made DAC chips, yes, you have ESS, Analog Devices, and maybe TI... not sure who else... but for example dCS makes their own "Ring DAC" proprietary design that's a sort of hybrid of a ladder DAC and using an FPGA for software programming...
I think a few other high end brands are doing something similar as well as a few inexpensive Chinese brands like Denifrips (spelling?).
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There are over a dozen manufacturers out there for DACs and a handful of the more popular ones you see in audio most frequently. The dCS Ring DAC is in fact unique design but they still use lots of silicon chips and other components from other manufacturers to achieve the final product or the whole box?
With the fire over at the AKM factory, one of the very popular DAC and AD chip makers for the consumer and pro-audio, it will put some manufacturers into some difficulties obtaining stock.
I am not very familiar with Denafrips but have seen a few videos and reviews stating that their very inexpensive DACs are very smooth and musical.