Would a DAC improve my sound system?

[RossP]

I'm wondering whether a DAC would deliver significantly better sound than my current set-up.

Current set-up
Tidal streamed to LG TV using LG ThinQ (=casting, I presume)
TV to decent amp via optical to RCA cable

So I'm wondering if the sound would be better if I cut the TV out and used a DAC instead. I was thinking of the Audioengine B1 Bluetooth 5.0 receiver, but it's €200, so if it's not going to deliver noticeably better sound, I might as well save the money.

Any thoughts/advice on this or other possible improvements?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

no, If you want to improve sound you need to look at your speakers first

 

[BMXTRIX]

First: Bluetooth sucks. Even the best Bluetooth isn't an ideal way of doing things.

Right now, it is likely that you are streaming using wi-fi or passing on streaming requests to your TV and the TV is doing the streaming directly. Both of these are better ways (generally) of doing audio.

Not sure what you are actually listening to. What your actual source of audio is, or what format they are being played back in.

I would say, just as important as your speakers, your source matters.

Beyond speakers, which I agree are very important to the setup and the space and budget, is one of the least expensive upgrades you can make: Keep it simple and use high quality audio. A wired connection is, by far, the best way to handle your audio. Use high-quality and high-bitrate codecs from a top shelf source. If you can't get a top shelf source, then use the best connection to whatever source you have and don't settle for wireless limitations if possible. The type of wire rarely matters, but having a wired connection often does.

Tidal, wired from the source, to your amplifier, to speakers. If the TV supports the Tidal app, then download it there, and run it from the TV directly. That will give you the best results currently. But, if I really cared about the audio quality, then at some point I would look at something like a Bluesound NODE as an upgrade, I just wouldn't bet on that upgrade being night and day if the speakers weren't top notch already.

 

[RossP]

Thanks very much for taking the time to provide such a detailed response.

The source is Tidal, which I have on my phone and pre-installed on the computer. From what you say, I understand it might be better to stream from the TV to the amp rather than starting from the phone app (casting to the TV via an app called LG ThinQ).

The Speakers are Q Acoustics 2010i.

Thanks again. I will certainly consider all your advice.

 

[Eppie]

@RossP Streaming from the phone may be fine. Depends on whether the phone is the source or whether the app just uses the phone as a controller and the TV is the source. I noted that you mentioned an optical to RCA cable. Optical is a digital out so that cable is acting as your DAC. If it's just some cheap optical to RCA cable off of Amazon, then there may be some benefit to getting a higher quality DAC from Topping, Schiit, or SMSL for example. There are detailed reviews on many DACs on the AudioScienceReview website.

You can spend crazy amounts on a DAC but $200 or $300 can net something decent. It won't be a night and day difference though. DAC chips have been around for decades and it's a mature technology so the improvements will be subtle. If you want to get into higher res formats that's something to consider as well and note the types of input connections supported. If you want to also access files on your computer, the Bluesound Node mentioned above is a very good device.

The 2010i is an entry level speaker. If you're goal is for a significant improvement, I would agree with the others that speakers will have the biggest impact. Best to audition different brands of speakers personally if possible, or check some of the roundups on Audioholics. There are recommendations for bookshelves at different price points, like this group of speakers in the sub $800 range.

 

[lovinthehd]

What optical to rca converter are you using? What is the decent amp particularly?

 

[sterling shoote]

I'm wondering whether a DAC would deliver significantly better sound than my current set-up.

Current set-up
Tidal streamed to LG TV using LG ThinQ (=casting, I presume)
TV to decent amp via optical to RCA cable

So I'm wondering if the sound would be better if I cut the TV out and used a DAC instead. I was thinking of the Audioengine B1 Bluetooth 5.0 receiver, but it's €200, so if it's not going to deliver noticeably better sound, I might as well save the money.

Any thoughts/advice on this or other possible improvements?

Thanks in advance!

You're going to continue to wonder unless you take some action. I have DACs galore in source components, and preamplification. All sound different and my preference is for the DAC in an old Sony CDP-601ES CD Player and a Sony PCM-7010F DAT Recorder. At any rate, the cheapest route to a DAC that will do it all today, meaning decode DSD, and hi-res PCM, as well as multi-channel SACD might be a mid-range Marantz A/V Receiver. This component will have usb and HDMI inputs in addition to wi-fi and Bluetooth so you can can be entertained by streaming devices, computer, Mac, and phone by wire or wirelessly.

 

[RossP]

The amp is a Pioneer A-10, probably considered mediocre by audiophiles ;-).

As for the optical>RCA cable, I think it's just the one that came with the LG smart TV.

What optical to rca converter are you using? What is the decent amp particularly?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think the amp and the speakers are reasonable in your setup.

I would hit up eBay and look for a Bluesound Node2 or Node 2i used at a reasonable price within your budget. This should give you a nice high quality streaming solution with native RCA outputs and a quality DAC integrated as part of the unit itself.

 

[Trebdp83]

The newer NODE version 3 is pricey but the features are really great for a case such as this one. It has a sub pre out, Airplay 2 support and an eARC port for those with new TVs that support it which increases the number of devices that can be connected to the system. I continue to play with different streaming services and devices and installed the Tidal app in my LG C1 TV. The LG Tidal app supports Dolby Atmos playback via ARC/eARC so I had to check it out.

Bluesound Releases the New Generation NODE

Based on a Quad-core 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53, the new design includes a new 32bit/384Mhz DAC supporting 24bit/192kHz audio processing and MQA

theaudiophileman.com

 

[lovinthehd]

The amp is a Pioneer A-10, probably considered mediocre by audiophiles ;-).

As for the optical>RCA cable, I think it's just the one that came with the LG smart TV.

Don't worry, many "audiophiles" buy super stupid cables and other audiophilia nonsense. It's just someone who seeks high fidelity audio for the most part, so you're an audiophile already, sorry.

Your integrated amp is typical of many 2ch integrated amps....not helpful with digital audio, more friendly to a relatively dead format like vinyl. TVs come with such a cable somewhat surprises me, but I suppose it is possible that its dac isn't of sufficient quality (but it well may be, hard to know without specifics). The Bluesound box is one way to go, there are others, depends on what you want to spend and what utility a box like that has for you other than to handle Tidal for you....