19-Oct-2015, 19:18
Just to be clear I'm not denying there can't be a difference or that one could or should not like the result from connecting an external DAC.
The only thing I'm saying is that the conclusion that the external DAC must be better is wrong. If anything can be concluded it's that the Devialet's DAC and ADC is transparant enough to let the character of the connected device through. Since the Devialet's internal DAC is in the chain it is always judged. If it wasn't as good the externally connected DAC would also not sound better.
But then why can the externally connected DAC or streamer with integrated DAC sound better? I'm not sure, and I know I'm not being helpful here, but it must be because of something that's been added or subtracted in the D/A process or output drive section of that device or the input section of the Devialet.
In the case of a streamer/music server with built-in DAC also the quality of the digital transport part into the DAC part matters greatly. The digital signal into the DAC circuitry of a Linn DS for example is not identical (electrically and protocol wise, because probably I2S over a very short path) to the digital signal offered on the digital output (it's been converted to S/PDIF, AES/EBU, ... first). So here Stigmater is also comparing the transport quality of the Linn to whatever else he digitally put into the Devialet (AIR?/USB?)
All inputs on the Devialet tie in to the DSP which is the central hub of the Devialet. Analog inputs are converted to 24/96 or 24/192 first. But these different signals do of course initially follow different paths electrically and functionally seen. Natively digital input signals like AIR or USB follow a different path than the analog input signals and even the AES and S/PDIF inputs. The first enter from the Duet card inside the Devialet and are possibly converted by (A)SRC's or processed differently. The latter inputs are on the mainboard and could follow shorter paths with less conversion/processing. I say could because I'm not entirely sure, we'd need a system diagram/flow chart of the Devialet internals to see what happens exactly with all the different inputs.
The only thing I'm saying is that the conclusion that the external DAC must be better is wrong. If anything can be concluded it's that the Devialet's DAC and ADC is transparant enough to let the character of the connected device through. Since the Devialet's internal DAC is in the chain it is always judged. If it wasn't as good the externally connected DAC would also not sound better.
But then why can the externally connected DAC or streamer with integrated DAC sound better? I'm not sure, and I know I'm not being helpful here, but it must be because of something that's been added or subtracted in the D/A process or output drive section of that device or the input section of the Devialet.
In the case of a streamer/music server with built-in DAC also the quality of the digital transport part into the DAC part matters greatly. The digital signal into the DAC circuitry of a Linn DS for example is not identical (electrically and protocol wise, because probably I2S over a very short path) to the digital signal offered on the digital output (it's been converted to S/PDIF, AES/EBU, ... first). So here Stigmater is also comparing the transport quality of the Linn to whatever else he digitally put into the Devialet (AIR?/USB?)
All inputs on the Devialet tie in to the DSP which is the central hub of the Devialet. Analog inputs are converted to 24/96 or 24/192 first. But these different signals do of course initially follow different paths electrically and functionally seen. Natively digital input signals like AIR or USB follow a different path than the analog input signals and even the AES and S/PDIF inputs. The first enter from the Duet card inside the Devialet and are possibly converted by (A)SRC's or processed differently. The latter inputs are on the mainboard and could follow shorter paths with less conversion/processing. I say could because I'm not entirely sure, we'd need a system diagram/flow chart of the Devialet internals to see what happens exactly with all the different inputs.
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.
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