Advice on Asus stx verses separate dac
- Thread starter Alex h
- Start date
There is no straight simple answer to that, because there's one factor that cannot be accounted for when going by other people's views and opinions, and that is the listener's hearing.
Hearing and the experiences people have can vary so much, so while someone could buy a more expensive so called better DAC and find it a great buy and improvement, someone else might find little to no difference, and spending all that money is a waste. Until you've heard and compared for yourself, it's impossible to say whether spending that kind of money would be worth while.
Just as an example; there's a thread in the HiFi section about Chord Mojo DAC. Some loved the difference it brought compared to the their previous DAC, but at least one member found it sounded no different to his SMSL Sanskrit, which is not far off 6 times cheaper. He has good quality amp and speakers though, not some cheap rubbish where any differences aren't likely to be heard.
As with most things audio, demo if you can; and if you can't, buy from somewhere when it's easy to send back for a refund if you find it's not worth the money.
Hearing and the experiences people have can vary so much, so while someone could buy a more expensive so called better DAC and find it a great buy and improvement, someone else might find little to no difference, and spending all that money is a waste. Until you've heard and compared for yourself, it's impossible to say whether spending that kind of money would be worth while.
Just as an example; there's a thread in the HiFi section about Chord Mojo DAC. Some loved the difference it brought compared to the their previous DAC, but at least one member found it sounded no different to his SMSL Sanskrit, which is not far off 6 times cheaper. He has good quality amp and speakers though, not some cheap rubbish where any differences aren't likely to be heard.
As with most things audio, demo if you can; and if you can't, buy from somewhere when it's easy to send back for a refund if you find it's not worth the money.
Thanks for your reply
To carry on from darreny said:-
I don't know how you're currently connecting your STX to your AV receiver, but if you're using optical, then the DAC in that is what's being used. To take advantage of the DAC in the STX, you need to use the RCA out. Same will apply with any DAC you may get.
You may already know this though..
I don't know how you're currently connecting your STX to your AV receiver, but if you're using optical, then the DAC in that is what's being used. To take advantage of the DAC in the STX, you need to use the RCA out. Same will apply with any DAC you may get.
You may already know this though..
Hi again yes I'm using rca out
The STX already has a very decent DAC using an implementation of the TI Burr-Brown 1792A, which is/was top of the line.
The m-DAC uses the ESS Sabre 9018, which is going to be a bit cooler and more detailed but may sound a bit sterile in comparison.
Another option would be to save half the cost of the m-DAC and go in the opposite direction when it comes to signatures and get the Schiit Modi Multibit, which will sound more natural and musical than a 9018 based DAC.
As you are starting off with a very good DAC, any improvements from buying a more expensive unit will be subtle at best, night and day improvements don't tend to happen above bargain basement audio.
The m-DAC uses the ESS Sabre 9018, which is going to be a bit cooler and more detailed but may sound a bit sterile in comparison.
Another option would be to save half the cost of the m-DAC and go in the opposite direction when it comes to signatures and get the Schiit Modi Multibit, which will sound more natural and musical than a 9018 based DAC.
As you are starting off with a very good DAC, any improvements from buying a more expensive unit will be subtle at best, night and day improvements don't tend to happen above bargain basement audio.
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Thanks will have a look into it also my stx is the original not the latest version
Thanks