On Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:45:16 +0000, alister wrote:

> On Mon, 13 Nov 2017 14:08:41 +0000, David wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 13 Nov 2017 14:05:09 +0000, David wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, 13 Nov 2017 11:58:51 +0000, David wrote:
>>>
>>>> Just looking at this:
>>>> 
>>>> I can see that I have to solder in the 40 pin connector but it isn't
>>>> clear if I have to solder in the "new free one RCA connector" or if
>>>> it just clips in somewhere.
>>>>
>>>> I assume soldering but there don't seem to be any detailed
>>>> instructions.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone fitted one of these?
>>>
>>> Posted this before I saw the HiFi thread.
>>>
>>> To expand the question a bit further, which DAC would the team
>>> recommend?
>>>
>>> The one linked above is £10.
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> is £33.
>>>
>>> However you often get what you pay for, and DACs in HiFi equipment are
>>> not all the same. Burr Brown is a known name. The site above doesn't
>>> say much about the specifications. However
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> says "Dedicated 192kHz/24bit high-quality Burr-Brown DAC for best
>>> sound quality (ESS instead of Burr-Brown on DAC+ Light)" which looks
>>> promising.
>>>
>>> Noted the price is shown as £45 as oppose to £33 above, but I haven't
>>> checked that VAT and shipping is included in either price)
>>>
>>> Has anyone compared different DAC packages on the Pi?
>>
>> O.K. - just found "Also note that our prices do not include VAT for all
>> shipping addresses outside Switzerland. Depending on your country, you
>> may have to pay the VAT and/or additional customs and processing fees
>> on import. Please ask your local postal provider about these costs."
>>
>> So at least another £6.60, plus shipping plus hassle organising to pay
>> this.
>>
>> £45 is looking a more reasonable price, if a tad expensive.
>>
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>>
>> Dave R
> Also consider the listening environment (& your own hearing which
> deteriorates considerably with age for example at 50 I doubt that I cn
> hear much above 12-13khz).
>
> in the average home environment the differences claimed by audiophile
> quality equipment are simply in-detectable by the average listener
> (probably why the 1st thing they tell you about their equipment is "It
> cost £XXX)

Hmmm......average home environment and average listener...audiophile
equipment....cost...bit of an imprecise definition.

When auditioning audio equipment I listen to the same track on all set ups
and generally the better equipment gives better stereo separation and more
clarity to (or even reveals) additional instruments and voices in the
background.

I can tell the difference. For example I decided to go one grade better on
the speakers with the last system after having a good listen. However
individual components were in the £200 range so I have no idea if this
qualifies as "audiophile quality" equipment. Oh, and I don't usually start
out telling everyone what it cost.

There are some obvious differences. One track is "Love is the drug" by Roxy
Music where the introduction is the sound of someone striking a match,
lighting a cigarette, then walking to a car, starting it, and driving
away. Budget equipment doesn't even reveal this, medium equipment
(especially speakers) does reveal it but not fully and better speakers
reveal it with clarity.

Perhaps not all people can hear this. Perhaps all people aren't active
listeners. However up to a certain point better designed, specified and
constructed equipment properly set up will increase the listening accuracy
(not necessarily the listening pleasure) as you spend more money.

I suspect that your comparison might work with wine, for example. Most
people can tell the difference between a £4 bottle of wine and a £10
bottle of wine. Many can tell the difference between a £10 bottle of wine
and a £20 bottle of wine. However when you start comparing a £500 bottle
of wine with a £1,000 bottle of wine then I suspect that (except on very
rare occasions) you are in the realms of buying the wine to show everyone
that you can afford it.

If this is your benchmark range then it isn't really appropriate to the
comparison of £10 DACs and £40 DACs. We are still in the £4 bottle vs. £10
bottle range. "Serious" DACs go from £100s to £1,000s.

Oh, and I am over 50 but (regardless of khz range) I can still tell the
difference between really cheap and modest budget systems.

Cheers



Dave R



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