I currently run a Auralic G1 and smsl su10 DAC. I feel it sounds dead, flat and unalive. Should I buy a Denefrips terminator ii to address this problem?
My friend has the Aurelic, it’s far from flat and lifeless
I’d be inclined to look upstream (excuse the pun)
John Darko recently did a YT on his HiFi priorities - and streamers/DACs are at the thin end of his wedge
I don’t know there is something missing. Like if I play Jonny Cash I am missing the deep tones of his voice. Maybe I should try tjhe Pontus DAC?
If the DAC does not matter then why do I not use the internal DAC of my McIntosh? When I had the first Naim supernait I was told it was crap and I should use an external DAC. So I am a bit confused with the DAC having no bearing on the sound. Also Vinyl sounds better and is more dynamic than digital audio files which means the downstream portion of the system is just fine.
The DAC matters, but not as much as the manufacturer would have you believe!
Have you had room treatment applied?
Have you tried Dirac Live?
Have you tried a good pair of headphones?
Why would I need to when I know playback through vinyl sounds just fine Without those things. I have a measurement microphone I have equalised the system and reduced phase distortion in the past. Each time I noticed the sound to become lifeless and controlled. I have room treatment, I find it interesting how little a few small wall panels can change the sound. My speakers are as manufacturers recommended position for placement.
I do not see how headphones can alter the deadness of the DAC. I have a pair of Audeze lcdx headphones. Since I play at hi volumes this would be of no test comparison.
If the sq is good with your Audeze playing through the same system then the issues might be room related rather than DAC related.
The low frequencies are fine so are the mids and highs. It is the Transient attack that seems to be missing from the music. This is not the case with vinyl sounds it must be the DAC