Hello sorry if this has been asked somewhere but I couldn't find a definitive answer. I just built a new system consisting of a Denon AVR-1100W and Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2's. My source for everything is a 2012 Mac Mini with files saved as AIFF and ALAC. Right now the Mac is connected to the Denon via HDMI. My question is would I benefit at all from adding a DAC? Budget wise it would have to be in-line with the rest of my system Peachtree Or Dragon. I have researched the Denon and think the internal DAC is a TI PCM1690 which is capable of 24/192. The PeachTree DAC iT has a 9023 Sabre from ESS. Is that a lot better then the TI? The DragonFly has a Sabre also, I assume the same one as the PeachTree. Any opinions on which DAC is better and why would also be appreciated. Do I have to spend a lot more to get better the what is in the Denon already?
No one has convinced me putting the same chip in a fancy box with a fancy power supply makes it any better. Even the rank and file DAC chips used in your mid level receivers seem blameless
But there's always some who think there's some magic in putting it in a separate box.
That being said, I thought there were some AB listening tests on DACs. I would start with those, to see if you think they are legit and if they claim enough of a difference
The sabre ESS DAC gets alot of praise from the audio community. That being said pretty much any recent DAC chips implemented in AVRs can perform exceptional or just so-so depending on how well the manufacturer implemented them. I can't speak for the 1100W but it is a mid priced AVR so I would suspect that the D/A conversion is nothing special.
DACs with HDMI input are pretty rare out side of AVRs. One I know of is HDACC by Essence. It got a top pick from Sound & Vision. Other than that you would probably need to go the USB input route on other stand alone DACs. I struggled with the same decission for hi-res music files and decided to just go with a hi-end AVR instead of a separate DAC.
I think a stand alone DAC makes more sense if you have separate components or need a USB connection for music.
The Mac Mini actually has three options for digital audio output: HDMI, USB, or mini TOSLINK optical. So, any external DAC that has a TOSLINK input would work. It need not be a USB DAC or a presently quite rare HDMI DAC.
But using an external DAC upstream of a low to mid range AVR would seem like an odd choice. And absent some pure analog direct mode, the AVR would just redigitize the signal for DSP -- surround processing, time alignment, bass management, room EQ, tone control, etc.
Thank you so much for the replies. I didn't even think about the AVR re-digitizing analog signals. Does it do this in pure direct mode I guess is my next question, but not even sure if this matters after reading the replies. I can surmise that I have things currently set up for the best sound the AVR can provide. It does sound good especially on my budget, guess I'm always looking to get the most out of what I bought. Again thank you so much for the quick informative replies.
No. External DACs are a marketing gimmick. There is no measurable difference between the mass produced $0.50 DAC in your AVR and an overpriced $1000 DAC.
You will get far better sound quality by using only digital connections where ever possible and using the Audyssey room correction in your AVR.
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