Question on DACs

[OldGrumpy]

I have an onkyo tr1009. It has a built in burr brown DAC (let me know if this is incorrect). would an external provide anything? Seems to be mixed opinion on this. From what I can gather, opinions seem split between 'Don't need a fancy one' and 'the best one makes everything sound perfecter'. reading around implies the burr browns to be decent, does it matter that it is built in?

 

[slipperybidness]

Doesn't matter if DAC is internal or external. In modern times, DACs are a commodity component, as long as they are designed and implemented correctly, you will not notice an audible improvement. It is also very unlikely that you will be able to MEASURE any improvement.

If you're talking about an older DAC in older gear (like pre 2000 or 1990 say), then you may find that more modern DACs are better.

 

[GIEGAR]

^ +1 Slippery.

I have an onkyo tr1009. It has a built in burr brown DAC (let me know if this is incorrect). would an external provide anything? Seems to be mixed opinion on this. From what I can gather, opinions seem split between 'Don't need a fancy one' and 'the best one makes everything sound perfecter'. reading around implies the burr browns to be decent, does it matter that it is built in?

According to the Onkyo TX-NR1009 product sheet it has:

TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs (PCM1690 and PCM1789) for All Channels

Genuinely held opinions of improved sound due to adding a DAC are just what you'd expect from enthusiasts conducting sighted, casual, non level-matched "listening sessions", where there are several human biases are at play.

If you're looking for real, tangible improvements in sound quality, completely forget about DACs and the like, and turn your attention to speakers, subs and some very reasonably priced measurement gear to see what you're dealing actually dealing with in your room (eg. miniDSP UMIK-1).

 

[slipperybidness]

^ +1 Slippery.



According to the Onkyo TX-NR1009 product sheet it has:

Genuinely held opinions of improved sound due to adding a DAC are just what you'd expect from enthusiasts conducting sighted, casual, non level-matched "listening sessions", where there are several human biases are at play.

If you're looking for real, tangible improvements in sound quality, completely forget about DACs and the like, and turn your attention to speakers, subs and some very reasonably priced measurement gear to see what you're dealing actually dealing with in your room (eg. miniDSP UMIK-1).

+1 back at you.

Yup, save the money and add it to a stash for better speakers or add a sub if you don't have one already. Those WILL be improvements that you can easily hear.

If you already have respectable speakers and a sub, then turn the $ to Acoustic Room Treatments and measurement gear. Too many people forgo room treatments, and those can have a large bang-for-the-buck improvement!