[Rocket]

Hi,

I have a somewhat old Perpetual Technologies P3A dac which also has a modwright level 2 upgrade.  I'm wondering whether the newer style dacs such as eastern electric dac plus, wyred 4 sound etc. sound better?  How does my dac stack up to the newer competition and if I were to decide to upgrade what improvements would I hear?

Thanks for your feedback.

Regards Rod

[Elizabeth]

I use an Adcom DA700  stuffed with antistatic foam, and off a PS Audio P-600 powerline conditioner.
A few years ago I tried a Bryston DAC, the one all the magazines were giving an "A" rating to. Both Stereophile and TAS gushed over the Bryston DAC.
Well in my system my old Adcom was just as good. After trying very hard to make the Bryston DAC sound better I returned it for a refund.
Now maybe my Adcom is spectacular souinding fluke, or maybe old DACs really are just as good as new ones..
PS my Sony SCD777ES does sound slightly better playing CD than my Adcom DAC. But such a tiny bit better I do not notice it at all, And use the Adcom with a variety of five disc changers, through a VAC Standard preamp I use as a fancy tube buffer, to my Bryston BP-26 pre and 4B-SST² amp, Magnepan 3.6 speakers.

Just like an old turntable can sound great, so can old DACs.. IMO anyway.

Added I got the VAC Standard after I had returned the Bryston DAC. And the Sony SCD777ES sounded about the same as the Adcom DAC, and only recently with a few tweaks to my setup has been able to sound slightly better.

[Rocket]

Hi Elizabeth,

I also had a bel canto dac 2 which I thought sounded good but no better than my pt dac.  I'm not sure I want to invest too much money into a dac at this stage.  Perhaps its better to wait a while longer before upgrading?

Thanks

Rod

[fredgarvin]

My older dad is cranky and not quiet at all. He emits smoke too.

[galyons]

Redbook digital sound is fairly homogenous unless one is willing to spend really big bucks.   The really big bucks gets you, not necessarily a better digital stage, but a well engineered analog output stage.  Newer DAC's tend to be all about the numbers.  Yes, perhaps, the numbers are better on newer DAC's, and like most things digital the $/number is coming down.  But, IMO, most newish DAC's have little or no engineering on the critical analog output.  This is what, to me, makes digital sound close to music. Sadly the vast majority of users have a quality bench mark based on cheap, mass produced DAC chips and op amps.  Perfect sound forever, but no music!

I have had several newer DAC's in my system, but my old Cal Audio Labs still gets put back in the main system.

Cheers,
Geary

[Freo-1]

For CD, the best sounding DAC I have is a vintage Wavelength Audio Cosine DAC, with a vintage Phillips TDA 1543 select chip set.  No oversampling, and employs a 6GM8 and inter stage coupling transformer out.  Also has a volume control, which allows a direct connection to the power amp. 

[Bob in St. Louis]

My older dad is cranky and not quiet at all. He emits smoke too.

[thunderbrick]

Recently borrowed a vintage CAL Alpha tube DAC that sounds fantastic.    VERY musical!  Only problem is I could hear a relay inside the DAC when a CD would go between tracks.  Distracting.  Maybe a muting issue?

Ended up with an Mhdt Havana tube DAC that sounds very close to the CAL.  Were it not for the relay noise I'd have kept the CAL.

[Rocket]

Hi,

I replaced my perpetual technologies P3a dac with an Eastern Electric with dexa opamp modules installed.  It was a nice improvement (I think) but I might replace the EE dac with the PT3a and compare it again.  Imight be surprised.

Cheers Rod

[pearsall001]

My CAL Alpha DAC with Amperex Bugle Boys isn't going anywhere soon! Truly a lush, sweet, musical presentation. No need to up sample, cross sample, down sample or whatever the hell sample these new one's do. Just play sweet music...I'm getting that in spades.

[Folsom]

Most of what determines the pleasure and quality of ordinary DAC's (without special processing like Trinity) is the power going in. I love 1543's...

Buy a 1543 from china on Ebay, attach several 1000uf+ caps across DC in and get a big battery. It won't compete on all levels but under $100 will be more listenable than most DAC's.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Yes but your a marvel at electronics and I'd like to try what you are recommending but I have no idea how to implement it safely.  One day I have to learn how to solder and tinker with electronics.

Regards Rod

[pgawan2b]

I've pondered the same question.  Years ago, I had a Monarchy Audio M22 DAC in my system.  I sold it for some foolish reason and now I really wish I had it back.  The service and build quality of Monarchy products is quite impressive so I'd love to buy another one.  But I too have wondered if the newer DACs would be an improvement.

[Folsom]

12v batteries are very safe. But if you are uncomfortable that's ok. You can PM me too if you want instructions/upgrade one.

Thinking about this brings up questions like will radically new things change sound, or is it just money centric? Hi res download or vinyl, does it matter? Innovation, the audio world is close to the 7-10 year cycle...

[JLM]

Just be glad that's all he emits.   

[Rocket]

Hi,

Okay I'm going to install my perpetual technologies p3a dac which has modwribht level 2 modifications and give it a spin.  I'll let you know whether I can hear any differences or not.

Cheers Rod