Okay, chip brainiacs...

Which would you prefer to run, a Crystal CS4329 20-bit delta-sigma DAC or a Burr-Brown PCM1710U chip?

Much difference?

both would sit behind a Crystal CS8412 semiconductor.

My choice goes to Audiolab/ Tag MacLaren Dac chip, i mean, the Crystal CS4329 . Both great cdp's.

I'd have thought the Burr-Brown would have been the better of 'em, but if you say the Crystal is better, then I need to take that as near-gospel.

Don´t.

As much as I trust Alvaro´s taste, that´s all it is, his own taste and preferences.

There´s no such thing as a Gospel in audio, Paul, only because we all hear and feel things so diferently.

Now, if we talk about Alvaro´s incredible knowledge about music, that is an altogether different thing. There´s not much that can be seen as subjective there, and Alvaro Knows.

Jorge

I also remember that the awesome Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 & 205.2 dac's, use to have Crystal CS4329's behind a Crystal CS8412 semiconductor.
The same with the superb Audio Research CD2 cdp.
In resume, Crystal CS4329 is imho one of the grea-*test*-('") dac chips ever made.

Alvaro,

I agree with you. The Audio Research CD2 is probably the best CDP I ever listened to.

I know a couple of people who were less than impressed by it, though, so I´ll stress my case that no one´s opinion is to be taken as word of rule in audio.

The only rule is, listen and decide by yourself.

Jorge

...BTW, did you know that Crystal CS4329 micro scheme of 20-bit DAC is frequently used in PC soundcards?
I think cdp's are gradually changing into something like a PC with CD-ROM and a soundcard. Even my X-Fi soundcard have a Wolfson 24-bit dac...

Excellent point, Jorge.

My thoughts are, if a person has excellent knowledge of a product, however, his word should be acknowledged.

That said, we may all agree one type of chip is better, but, may have a personal preference for another nonetheless.

A good example, maybe lost on those not a fan of the motorized two wheel variety....

Hard to discount the reliability and overall quality of the Japanese motorcycles, yet folk still buy Harley Davidson and Ducati, despite their shortcomings, because of thier charactor.

I'll take it that the Crystal chip is most likely a nicer chip overall than the burr-Brown, but indeed I may like the way a burr Brown presents itself to my ears.

I respect Alvarro's opinion on digital devices, as I respect yours on TTs (and other pieces, too).

Trust me, I mean this as a good thing.

My Audio Alchemy V.3 have AD1862 dac chip and my Nad cdp have a PCM1710 and i love them both.

This topic is too simplistic.

The reality is, how well the designer implements the layout of the entire DAC. No matter how good either chip is, a mediocre design is not going to showcase the merits of the chipsets in question.

How good is the power supply?

What re-clocking layouts are used?

What is architecture of the filter system?

How good is the analog board? Thats a biggie right there. Op amps, tubes, discrete outputs?

In reality, most of us can only judge the relative merits of the end product. Us chiming in on design issues is kind of like the local rocket building club emailing NASA with fixes for the space shuttle.

Regards
Mister Pig

ok, all (other) things considered equal, which would you prefer?

So...let's put it all the way around.
Let's say we have a good electronic design, with a good power suply, an aewsome clock, an excelent DSP or ADC and outstanding caps or op-amps.
What dac do you choose?

The end result of the DAC is surely the most important.

I wasn't sure, thoygh, if one was an out-dated chip, or a chip that was designed to a pricepoint while the other was a no cost, or if one was an old chip, one was a newer chip.

Actually, when it boils down to it, I prefer my chips "Sea Salt alt and Vinegar" potato chips.

i thought for sure you were gonna say "buffalo" ....

I have to say that listen to DAC's, or the end product. I couldnt say which is the best sounding chip. How would I be able to tell. You see I dont have a DAC that I can swap DA chips in. And if I did, the rest of the cicruit couldnt be optimized for that chip. So aside from looking at some technical data, how can you say one chip is inherently better?

All I an say is that the Audio Magic Kukama DAC which I bought earlier this year is the finest DAC I have heard. There may be better, but then the price gets insane. It uses the burr Brown PCM 1704 chipset. It's ended my quest for good sounding DAC. I spoke with my wallet.

Regards
Mister Pig