Claudisimo
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- Joined
- Mar 15, 2020
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Yes, I ussualy talk about my jotunhem as dac (even when it is a digital-analog converter + headphone amplifier).Welcome, and please don't worry about that...we have many people for whom english is a second or third language, so don't let that slow you down.
Generally, I'd say a DAC is the box you buy that you plug one end into something digital, and out of the other end comes a line level 'analog' signal to be sent somewhere else, whether that be to a headphone amp, an external amp, powered speakers, whatever...
My SMSL M500, for example, includes a headphone amp, but I would just call it a DAC for the most part. Measurements are done at a line level output, not an amplified output for a 'DAC.' My Topping D50s...likewise...I'd call that a DAC.
That's my view, is that not what you would call it?
My point is that when people are talking here if a dac makes a difference they refer exclusively to the digital-analog converter or if they are always talking about both things. I'm kind of ignorant when it comes to this subjects, wich is why I'm not sure what are exactly everyone talking about. I always tought that the conversion process of digital to analog whas either done right or wrong, so no "sound signature" there, but the amplifier part was another story. I haven't really tried much equipment to say one thing or another, nor do I have a trained ear, so I don't know. But yeah, that's my confusion, when some say they find difference in the sound of dacs, they are talking about a unit that only converts digital to analog or if they mean the amplifier also.