Which DAC looks better by look at those numbers

[Tony11]

Can someone please tell me which DAC looks better for sound quality by look at those number and info below.

DAC A.

D/A Conversion IC: Analog Devices AD5781BRUZ x 4 (2 per channel, hardware balanced configuration)
Digital Filter: proprietary bitperfect closed-form digital filter implemented on Analog Devices SHARC DSP processor
Analog Stages: Fully discrete JFET buffers for balanced output and discrete JFET summing stages for single-ended output, direct coupled throughout

Frequency Response, Analog Stage: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.1dB, 1Hz-200KHz, -1dB
Maximum Output: 4.0V RMS (balanced), 2.0V RMS (single-ended)

THD: Less than 0.005%, 20Hz-20KHz, at full output
IMD: <0.004%, CCIR
SNR: > 115dB, referenced to 2V RMS

Inputs: Coaxial RCA SPDIF, BNC SPDIF, Optical SPDIF, USB
Input Capability: up to 24/192 for all inputs
Input Receiver, SPDIF: AKM 4113
Input Receiver, USB: C-Media CM6631A

Output: One pair XLR balanced and two pairs RCA single-ended
Output Impedance: 75 ohms

Clock Management: Bitperfect clock management at all native sample rates via Adapticlock analysis and VCXO/VCO regeneration, plus asynchronous USB Gen 2 module

Power supply: two transformers (one for digital supplies, one for analog supplies) with 8 stages of regulation, including separate local supplies for critical digital and analog sections.

Upgradability: Separate, modular USB Input Card and DAC/Analog Cards are snap-in replaceable.

Power Consumption: 20W


DAC B

192 kHz/24 bit sampling rate
Frequency Response
+/-0.5dB from 4Hz to 20,000Hz
+0.5/-3dB from 4Hz to 68,000Hz (Source dependent)

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.002%

Variable Output level
0-4.0Vrms Unbalanced/0-8.0Vrms Balanced

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
110dB

Dynamic Range
100dB

Output Impedance
600 ohms Unbalanced and Balanced

Digital Input Format
SPDIF (PCM)

Digital Input Sample Rate
Coaxial and Optical: Up to 192KHz, 24-Bit
USB: Up to 192KHz, 32-Bit

Digital Inputs
Coaxial 1 and 2: 0.5V p-p/75 ohms
Optical 1 and 2: - 15dbm to -21dbm (TOS Link)
USB: USB Type B Connector

Thank you.

[2fastdriving]

I personally feel that judging by the specs is not necessarily going to give you the best dac for your needs. Can you demo them? Have you read the reviews and reached out to owners here on AA? I feel that's a better approach.

[mulveling]

The first DAC is pretty well known, and I own it. What the specs don't tell you: its Gen 3 USB input sounded pretty mediocre. This might have been fixed with the new Gen 5. A very good sounding unit via coax.

The 2nd unit's output impedance is rather high, but should be OK for most setups.

The specs won't tell you much else. The 2nd one could be all over the map; bright or warm.

[Robc33]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I personally feel that judging by the specs is not necessarily going to give you the best dac for your needs. Can you demo them? Have you read the reviews and reached out to owners here on AA? I feel that's a better approach.

+1

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I personally feel that judging by the specs is not necessarily going to give you the best dac for your needs. Can you demo them? Have you read the reviews and reached out to owners here on AA? I feel that's a better approach.

+1

[gadawg]

Give them a listen (in your system if possible) and decide with your ears. After all ... that is part of the fun!

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by gadawg

Give them a listen (in your system if possible) and decide with your ears. After all ... that is part of the fun!

+1 again on listening.

Also, discard any DAC that does not offer the ability to have an external master clock input IMHO. All the onboard designs are good enough but ultimately they can never be as good as a bespoke master clock from one of the known sources of high quality clock components...

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

... judging by the specs is not necessarily going to give you the best dac for your needs. Can you demo them? ...

+1 again. There's no substitute for critical listening. After all, that's how you'll be using the component, correct?

[orosie]

Differences in DACs can come from much more than just the "chip programming". Properly designed power supply, PCBs, clocks and filters come in to play as well.

But as others have said...listen to them, and trust your ears as to which sounds better.

[PHC1]

Looking at numbers and trying to figure out how a component will sound is like looking at a dish or an unfamiliar bottle of wine in a restaurant and guessing how it will taste.