How Does Adding DAC improve Amp brightness characteristics?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

just for my knowledge, anyone can explain to me how does a DAC improve the amp brightness characteristics? Because people do add into their systems and it seems can tame brightness?

I thought DAC chip already built into CD players? Eg. if we play MP3 files which is compressed files, and it doesn't sound good then we might think to add Additional DAC to improve the sound qualities since it is compress files

Amp and Cd player we are talking about 2 different thing right?

Thanks &

Best Rgds,

Alvin Tay

 

[Bodfish]

In very (very) general terms...

Kit is often described by reviewers/people using words like bright/harsh/neutral/warm/dull/wooly and so on. Obviously personal preference plays a big part in the perceived sound of a system and one persons 'bright' will be anothers 'neutral' and so on.

So the theory goes that you can 'tune' a system by combining pieces of kit that have certain characteristics to create a 'better' overall sound. e.g. 'bright' cd player + 'warm' amp + 'neutral' speakers = 'good' system.

CD players do indeed carry an on board DAC. The majority also offer a digital output so you can, if you wish, connect an external DAC. A reason for doing this might be that the other system components have changed since the cd player was purchased and the owner now feels that the system is not quite right. Adding an external DAC might also be considered as an upgrade as you are replacing the internal DAC with a higher quality off board DAC.

 

[pete321]

As far as I am aware, the better quality components in a pure DAC help filter out unwanted noise, especially good audiophile capacitors. Mains filtering is another cure for an overly bright/harsh sounding system.

The CA DacMagic produces a very detailed sound and I found, although I preferred it, I didn't achieve the sound I was looking for until I had it modded with better capacitors and Burson opamps. It now produces a very refined but detailed sound with no hint of brightness. The advantage of getting a good Dac is that it's likely to stand the test of time, whereas other pieces of equipment come and go. Additionally, you can run more than one piece of equipment through it.

 

[Bodfish]

Hey Pete321 - Interesting site. Have you any experience of any of their products? Their Mains kit looks pretty keenly priced and with a 30 day returns policy too 🙂

 

[pete321]

I had my DacMagic modded by them and also bought a 'No Noise SE' mains filter. Brent is very helpful (although I don't think he's back until next month), I'd recommend them. I'm certainly pleased with the results of modding my DacMagic and the mains filter, no hint of brashness in my system now.