I am currently using a Sonos Connect attached to my Exposure Amplifier connect to Linn Ninka speakers. I was hinted the possibility of updating my sound quality by adding a DAC in between the Connect and the amp. I search long time on internet, read a lot of reviews and concluded that the Arcam irDAC should be my choice. Very good reviews and also positive statements of users when adding this DAC to their Connect.
So I went to the dealer last week, and borrowed one to try at home. He expected a ‘wow effect’ for me, even without adding quality cable but just the ones that are supplied standard with the irDAC.
So went home, connected everything and was anxious to hear the improvement in sound. And I heard….. NOTHING! No difference whatsoever. I had both connection of the Connect directly to my amp, and via the DAC, and could in the midst of a song easily switch with my amps input selector. But it gave me exactly the same sound. You may expect a different sound, better or worse (and may be a matter of taste) but to hear NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL was very disappointing for me. I was wandering if I made a connection error, therewith passing by the DAC, but that was not the case. I experimented with the Digital Coax and optical cable, but no difference: nothing. For me hard to understand as reviews said the irDAC is top in sound. A small difference (for better or for worse) may not have the value of the DAC, but still there is some difference…..
Now, I went back to the dealer and explained. He connect the DAC to the Connect in his store and let me hear the difference. He said he could hear some improvements in the midrange (which would be even marginal compared to the promise), but I could not hear it. He came to the conclusion that my ears would not be able to hear the difference (I am 58) but that seems unacceptable to me, as I can hear for example very clearly the difference between an MP3 file and a FLAC file.
No I am disappointed and looking for a way to improve my sound stage for my streaming music. Any thoughts? Or any similar experiences?
So I went to the dealer last week, and borrowed one to try at home. He expected a ‘wow effect’ for me, even without adding quality cable but just the ones that are supplied standard with the irDAC.
So went home, connected everything and was anxious to hear the improvement in sound. And I heard….. NOTHING! No difference whatsoever. I had both connection of the Connect directly to my amp, and via the DAC, and could in the midst of a song easily switch with my amps input selector. But it gave me exactly the same sound. You may expect a different sound, better or worse (and may be a matter of taste) but to hear NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL was very disappointing for me. I was wandering if I made a connection error, therewith passing by the DAC, but that was not the case. I experimented with the Digital Coax and optical cable, but no difference: nothing. For me hard to understand as reviews said the irDAC is top in sound. A small difference (for better or for worse) may not have the value of the DAC, but still there is some difference…..
Now, I went back to the dealer and explained. He connect the DAC to the Connect in his store and let me hear the difference. He said he could hear some improvements in the midrange (which would be even marginal compared to the promise), but I could not hear it. He came to the conclusion that my ears would not be able to hear the difference (I am 58) but that seems unacceptable to me, as I can hear for example very clearly the difference between an MP3 file and a FLAC file.
No I am disappointed and looking for a way to improve my sound stage for my streaming music. Any thoughts? Or any similar experiences?