BACK TO BASICS Part 3: DACs
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Күн бұрынCamera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko
PATREON: / johndarko
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Another look at external DACs and why we use them.
Further essential viewing...
Back to Basics Part 1: Music streaming:
• BACK TO BASICS Part 1:...
Back to Basics Part 2: Music servers & network streamers:
• BACK TO BASICS Part 2:...
A beginner's guide to DACs:
darko.audio/2019/11/a-beginne...
Raspberry Pi audio streaming 101:
darko.audio/2020/01/raspberry...
Schiit Modi 3 review:
darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-f...
Also seen in this video...
Sonos Connect:
www.amazon.de/Sonos-CONNECT-M...
Naim Uniti Atom:
darko.audio/2018/07/wheel-lov...
Allo DigiOne:
darko.audio/2017/08/allos-dig...
AudioQuest cables:
• Room tour: AudioQuest ...
Red bike? Trek FX3:
• Trek FX 3 2019: Bike r...
#beginners #DACs #audiophile
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Darko.Audio FAQ:
darko.audio/faq/
What the bloody hell am I talking about?
• What the bloody hell a...
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DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A PODCAST?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
open.spotify.com/show/1mnKixp...
/ johnhdarko
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Darko.Audio is a web magazine covering new and exciting developments in the audio world and we aren’t afraid of indie rock or techno.
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@johnnemesh5459 4 жыл бұрын
How to be a success on KZfaq: 1) British accent 2) extensive and deep knowledge of the subject at hand 3) extensive command of the English language, avoiding overused terms such as "warm". 4)ability to give listeners an idea of how something sounds WITHOUT denigrating products or brands. 5) ability to explain a complex subject without sounding arrogant or talking down to the audience. Well done, sir!
@beardedschlim Жыл бұрын
You would like James Hoffman 😂
@thenullco 4 жыл бұрын
Your camera guy never loses focus. I hope he is well renumerated. Enjoying these Back to Basics vids. I bought my first DAC last week and it's pushed me to upgrade my humble system and speakers to something better. It's great fun.
@Drackleyrva 4 жыл бұрын
Great video John! I hope you continue to do more 'Back to basics' videos. They're very helpful.
@FauxtakuLounge 4 жыл бұрын
hear hear
@desmondnimmons3047 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for answering my DAC question regarding connections.
@HeddwynEvans 4 жыл бұрын
Bought a chord mojo last week after watching your videos, have had my eyes and ears squeegeed open to the power of DACs as a result - wow!
@marktodd7397 2 ай бұрын
Lesson here is a lot of people understand these sorts of videos when you actually show where the cables go and how these would work in real life situations, great video thanks.
@amrand82 4 ай бұрын
Omg. I’ve struggled with understanding this concept for so long and SOMETHING (i.e., I can’t pinpoint it) you said made this all click for me. Thank you!! New sub!
@Zargatan1337 4 жыл бұрын
Since I found this channel a few months ago. I learned so much from Darko, thanks a lot! Watching all the videos with joy its so down to earth for a nitwit as me in the audiophile world. Also helpt me to upgrade from my old system (20+ years) to the KEF LSX
@harriglnola7655 4 жыл бұрын
This video has been SUPER INFORMATIVE and enlightening for me regarding DACs!!! I am one of those people that really needed this video and am super thankful to you for making it! Bless you.
@adminp34 4 жыл бұрын
I enjoy so much refreshing and simplistic approaches John likes to use in his videos, thanks for entertaining and educating us
@DarkoAudio 4 жыл бұрын
Please dig into the information linked in the description box before leaving a comment. For example, if you want to see me talk about DACs inside amplifiers and active loudspeakers, you need to watch THIS video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/es6iqZCAntnNpn0.html Oh -- and constructive comments only, please. :)
@julian73de 4 жыл бұрын
Hey John, was just enjoying an album from "Boards of Canada". Mellow eloctro and great sound. Thought, could be your cup of tea too. Cheers
@barrybenkendorf672 4 жыл бұрын
I need to understand if I need an amp or not for my speaker system. I am currently only using the Schiit Modi 3 DAC with my LG smartphone as source using Tidal high quality. My speaker system is a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 Mk2 connected to the Schiit Modi 3 via RCA line in. My speaker system is powered. It is 480 watts, 2 tweeters, 2 midrange, and 1 subwoofer. Let me know I need an amp or not. Thanks!
@OriginalgEd 4 жыл бұрын
@@barrybenkendorf672 you don't need an amp. you amp is already built into your speakers (hence the "480watts"). the big clue that you don't need an amp is that you are (presumably) already hearing sound from the speakers.
@johncolton 4 жыл бұрын
@@barrybenkendorf672 The Beoplay A9 is an integrated amp. Don't connect an amp to it.
@barrybenkendorf672 4 жыл бұрын
@@johncolton thank you all for your replies! So using the Schiit Modi 3 via RCA connection to the speaker instead of wirelessly streaming music via bluetooth or airplay with my smartphone and only using my phone as the data transfer to the Modi is the highest possible sound quality I can get with my speaker system setup using Tidal high quality?
@tyuklm1 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you John. I finally managed to understand DACs and their importance thanks to your review of the Schiit Modi 3, which I bought along with a Schiit Magni Heresy. I have a really old set up: NAD 510 CD player and a NAD 710 amp hooked up to some exotic McFarlow Regency Two speakers. I know.... Thanks to your advice and help I've rediscovered my love for listening to music. I use a small PC to stream FLAC files from DEEZER HI-FI to my Modi. The modi then sends it to the NAD 710 or I plug in my Phillips X2HRs into the Heresy. For me, my budget and my untrained ears this set up is great. I wouldn't have discovered this new level of listening experience if it hadn't been for your videos and Internet site. I'd recommend anybody thinking twice about investing in a DAC to take the plunge. You won't regret it. Please keep up the good work as it's really made a difference. I look forward to my coffee Sunday mornings and listening to some music. Thanks.
@StevesStrayStuff 4 жыл бұрын
Great video! I have a thorough understanding of how all of this stuff works, but your explanation is so much better than I could ever give someone. Nice job.
@zetapal 4 жыл бұрын
I had to figure this out about a year ago when I watched my first video of yours on the Dragonfly. I remember I had to pause the video a couple of times and think about what you were talking about in order to 'get it'. That video was helpful because I was better able to understand what was going on in my own gear because, as it turns out, I have several DACs. Here in this video you have addressed this understanding of the difference between digital and analog signals directly and in a straightforward manner. This should be helpful to a lot of beginners. Thanks
@fredkinneary7829 4 жыл бұрын
John, thank you so much. I'm an old 2 channel guy and am struggling to enter the digital world. This was a great video, helped so much. I'd love to see more basic videos if you can.
@dilbyjones 4 жыл бұрын
Fred kinneary me 2
@shaunpaulwallace 4 жыл бұрын
Yep. He does it so well.
@kowaltoboggan Жыл бұрын
Have been trying to understand why some use a DAC with a streamer, but haven’t understood why until I saw your video. Thanks for making it so easy to understand. Bravo to you!
@kwokfaitsui6882 4 жыл бұрын
In chinese, we have「深入淺出」，that’s means explain something which is complicated, but in a simple and easy to understand way. Thank and great job👍🏻👍🏻
@scottscottsdale7868 4 жыл бұрын
I like this complicated kanji. Seems appropriate.
@bthivierge 4 жыл бұрын
Great summary John, thanks for posting. You're not wasting your time (for some of us) and we appreciate it!
@bobcat6653 4 жыл бұрын
I love these Back To Basic videos, you do a good job of conveying a complex idea!
@user-df7mg5xb3p 6 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for posting John, very informative! I`ve been playing around with analogue gear for over 45 yrs now (60 yrs old). I have a Rega DAC and have figured it out...kinda...now I`m looking to learn more about streamers to run through my all Rega home stereo. I`m now helping my 65 yr old friend set up his new tv to a Rega DAC. Your video really helped! Ron
@adamsmith8900 4 жыл бұрын
Hi J.D., Subscriber here, and just wanted to say, I appreciate your videos( in part) because of the excellent sound quality! So many reviewers have poor acoustics in the room or poor microphones, and play low quality music feeds. Your music sounds great and so do your vids. As an audiophile I appreciate that!
@IvicaMarusevic 4 жыл бұрын
A great explanation for the novice enthusiast! Now when my colleagues and friends ask me I can simply point them to your video, and spare myself of repeating story over and over again ;) Thank you!
@victorlazzlo7626 2 жыл бұрын
Really helpful. Would love some advice on getting quality audio out from home hifi (my case Uniti Star to Sennheiser Momentum 3 wireless headphones. Sure can be hard wired but 5 metre sitting distance is not enjoyed. Have tried rx/tx unit but connection ropey. Any ideas for best sound?
@johncolton 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the recommendation on TV audio. I just connected my old Samsung TV to my Naim Uniti Atom via Toslink and my TV life is better.
@circattle 4 жыл бұрын
When you buy all their components to make a full hifi system, you can say “I definitely got my Schiit together”. Thank you - you can have that one for free. I’m here all week.
@daverich3352 4 жыл бұрын
The video is good, but I didn't want a 'Schitt' DAC I wanted a good one. ;-)
@johnnemesh5459 4 жыл бұрын
@@daverich3352 I am pretty damn impressed with the Schiit Gungnir multibit DAC I purchased last year! They have great products at all price points. (excluding insanely expensive...not their gig)
@gerdemannfpv5113 3 жыл бұрын
Maybe I should start selling my schiit too 🤔
@barrymitchell4612 Жыл бұрын
Thank-you John, this video is the best yet. I'm pretty new to this audio world and you have been very helpful.
@christopherdacunha8636 4 жыл бұрын
One thing to note about the audio from TVs that you mention towards the end. Most TV programming is 5.1 (surround sound) while almost all external DACs that I know of are stereo only. Plugging your TV's digital signal into an A/V receiver and using the receiver's DAC will give you the surround sound audio from the TV. If you plug the TV's digital signal into an external DAC before it goes into your receiver you will only get stereo audio from your receiver, not surround sound. Surround sound audio (5.1 or more) is something that never really caught on in the "audiophile" community (though some of the 5.1 mixes of music are pretty cool actually. However there's very little of it out there).
@fraserfab68 2 жыл бұрын
Is this a problem with a 2.1 channel system like the bose 901's with sub? Can I still get full sound from the tv to the speakers when the original is 5.1 into a 2.1 system?
@jeanm289 3 жыл бұрын
I remember how confusing the digital chain was to me when i first started, this video is going to help so many folks to start their hifi roads.
@hardestyboy 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for the clarification on dac connections 👏🏼 Darko you’re the best
@dovyhk 4 жыл бұрын
The introduction is great with clarity. Thanks.
@kl9941 4 жыл бұрын
Excellent John. Each of the three Back to Basics nicely builds information in sequence. Also clarifies some questions related to the LG30/LG40/iPad series of videos. Howard S
@ibsyrfalhsn 4 жыл бұрын
Whoa, it's makes me understand better about how DAC and Amp is really makes the sound better. Thank you for the great video!
@dlorbieski 4 жыл бұрын
I have found your back to basics series very informative so far.....thanks for sharing and take care 👍👍👍
@ianorigbo7617 4 жыл бұрын
I wish I had such videos when I first got into streaming and DACS. Nice video again John 👍
@kriswhitman8027 2 жыл бұрын
Love these 'Back to Basics' videos. Great job!
@dougcampbell2814 2 жыл бұрын
Your Back To Basic series are very informative. Keep up the great work. 🎵
@ralphpaquin8313 2 ай бұрын
thank you for the simple explanation!! On the whole analog/digital especially on the thing on the computer /DAC/bypass thing
@jlm8699 7 ай бұрын
5th grade level.. Just what I needed.. Thank you
@capelight52 4 жыл бұрын
Bravo J Darko! Keep the digital interfaces coming. Build upon it and thanks!
@FauxtakuLounge 4 жыл бұрын
Man, what an incredible series.
@christopherjohnson9001 4 жыл бұрын
Great video showing how converged many digital devices are today regardless of quality - hence the ability to go toward digital separates in compact form factors. 👍
@avocadotree7956 4 жыл бұрын
‘dac’ to basics.
@euphospug 4 жыл бұрын
dac to dacdacs
@thomaslee6957 3 жыл бұрын
A brilliantly helpful video John. Thanks
@ValthoRoberto 4 жыл бұрын
Great video as always, John. I like the bike in the background!
@remonjap 3 жыл бұрын
Hi john. I am being watching your KZfaq video for last couple of months. I am into speakers and music since I was a kid. Also, I have upgraded my living room and my work room to sonos, bose etc. last couple of years also played with computer sound card etc. I feel like my ears grown for more clean sound, want to hear every detail of music and instrument. I love music. When I listen to a song, I listen to music more than lyric. So, I listen to different language songs even though I don't understand what they are saying. So, after watching lots and lots of videos uploaded by different user in KZfaq, I founded your video is more natural and you really into this and when you talk, I feel like your heart is talking so I start trusted your word watching your video. Now, my computer has # Sound Blaster X3 - Hi-Res 7.1 Discrete External USB DAC and # ADAM T7V Studio Monitors I feel like I need a good dac I saw your couple of videos about it. Could not decide it as I live in Australia I don’t have lot of option like usa or uk to go to the store and check which dac sound good. I know I am still new to this dac/amp world but my ear is very hungry for clean crisp detail, would you be able to advise me (I know you cant decide for me) Which dac I should buy, I do not need streaming option as I am going to use it for computer, I like to play with eq as well.
@decaf77 2 жыл бұрын
I was in the dark about this and now I’m not. Very well done thank you so much!
@davemonell9308 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks I learned a lot about streaming from your content I ll been a analog guy forever I started streaming music most of time. Thanks keep up the good work.
@spenceraaltonen 4 жыл бұрын
I have really enjoyed the way you broke these videos down, I have been into HiFi for a long time but a lot of people don't understand these basics.
@MarcStJean1965 4 жыл бұрын
I'm new to your channel ! You make it so simple to understand !! Big Thanks ! Mr. John Darko !
@Jimmy.1979 Жыл бұрын
Awesome video! This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
@streetsoundselectro124 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for that John, us thicko's finally understand what your talking about now!
@Spannertech728 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for turning me on to Schiit. I bought a Modius (the one with XLRs) and couldn’t be happier with it.
@rexx3137 6 ай бұрын
Great breakdown. Thank you!
@dugahole55 4 жыл бұрын
Along with Roon - Tital , added the Schiit Modius DAC....awesome audio now on my home system PSB, Pioneer Elite A/V, ASUS computer. Thanks for the informative videos and clarity on whats the basic requirements for amazing results.
@craigpaske9351 4 жыл бұрын
Excellent explanation! Methodical and clear.
@lazarosnikolaidis256 4 жыл бұрын
Excellent video. Believe that every beginner should be covered.
@TheZiZaZo 4 жыл бұрын
Best video explaining DACs that I've seen!
@redstarwraith 4 жыл бұрын
I was always mystified as to what a DAC was. I mean yeah, I knew they "converted digital to analogue" but how one was supposed to use them, I hadn't a clue. Thanks, John!
@iulian0410 2 жыл бұрын
I've learned so much thru your channel ! Thank you and keep up the good work !
@andyhunt5150 2 жыл бұрын
Great video!! You made it very easy to understand.
@angrygirl7083 2 жыл бұрын
Great video for absolute beginners for who all this is extremely confusing. I send my Music streaming (Tidal) from my couch to the Blue-Tooth receiver (Ifi Zen) on LDAC codec, from there it goes to my DAC (Geshelle J2), and then my amp. The quality is mind-blowing.
@cpiddy7 4 жыл бұрын
Superb video John. Simple and informative👍🏻
@yohanpeiris 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much. Only today I got this DAC thing cleared. Thanks again!
@markwest5517 5 ай бұрын
This video was mind-bogglingly helpful to this noob. Thank you. I finally understand some digital audio stuff.
@toffe2ventil 4 жыл бұрын
Very nice, basic, easy to understand. Thank you sir!
@nplenn00 4 жыл бұрын
This stuff is fascinating and I've gotten hooked of late...I'm waiting for my Denafrips Ares II DAC delivery...what no one ever talks about is the weak point in the whole digital chain is the stability of your WiFi network and configuring your router, extender NAS server etc...
@FranciscoRamirez-pt8ck 4 жыл бұрын
As always short and sweet. I will just say that I enjoy the DACs of my Arcam AV to listen to my digital signals (appletv4K,BD player and Cable TV, all using HDMI which is a pretty good way to send digital audio to the receiver.
@antoniorussell9893 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! And you have great taste in music IMO.
@bmj4052 Жыл бұрын
Very helpful. Love your videos
@Raffuentes030999 3 жыл бұрын
One of the best videos I've seen, thanks I am using vs450 Crest Amp
@x838nwy 4 жыл бұрын
Love the video, mate. So refreshing to see actual things and not some graphics.
@jamesferrell497 4 жыл бұрын
great job John, enjoy the videos, and appreciate the everyday know how information and options of how to better enjoy my musical hobby
@StreetComp 4 жыл бұрын
This is all helpful and I've sent your videos to a few people and it's helped clear things up so thank you. Seems most of the confusion is because some devices do all the work and some devices do just one or two parts of it and it's not always clear what does what.
@TomReinerDE 4 жыл бұрын
That bike in the background... John drowning more and more in Berlin‘s hipster scene... love it. 😉
@DarkoAudio 4 жыл бұрын
Nothing hipster about my Trek bike. 👀
@zaldam 4 жыл бұрын
A steel frame in 2020 equals hipster.
@byrnemcneill 4 жыл бұрын
It’s got more than one gear = just a cyclist. Keeping that carbon footprint low, my man. Love it!
@steverees1936 4 жыл бұрын
Great wee video John. I use my TV to listen to Spotify, which is connected to a Chord DAC using a toslink cable, then connected to my stand alone amp. Sound is very good.
@shaunpaulwallace 4 жыл бұрын
John thanks again. Most informative. 👍🏻
@ramsrinivasan2698 10 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for this! Its so helpful
@paulbradshaw736 4 жыл бұрын
Great explanation John. I love your channel 👍
@AyushP2014 4 жыл бұрын
Loved the video! 🙂 The best channel on KZfaq for HiFi related topics.. Please keep making such videos!
@tedroybal5231 5 ай бұрын
I know this video is "old." I am old as well. I recently retired and pulled my 45 year old amp out and fired it up. I haven't used my equipment in decades. My only music source is Apple Music. I am building speakers from a kit and I need a DAC. Going to order the Schiiit. Thank you so much for your content. Can't wait to listen to my updated system!
@alanmodimages 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you. These have been great explainers!
@killianmace2413 4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this perfect articulation ! A french viewer.
@skyehenderson8869 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info and your total honesty. 👍🏼
@19janiboy96 4 жыл бұрын
I use a native instruments audio DJ as my main DAC right now and I must say that they really did a great Job on the driver side in Windows als oI DJ at home from time to time.
@kozkoz7776 2 жыл бұрын
thank you ! thank you ! thank you ! this really cleared things up for me l dont know how l !missed this video ?
@chrisjames483 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video. Dacs are confusing when you start down this path. I get it now!
@vannoyre 4 жыл бұрын
Perfect basic breakdown for me.
@DrGIzmoBRad 4 жыл бұрын
Your tutorial has shown the ease that one can enter into digital audio without much fuss. the example of the MODI 3 multi-bit DAC shows it to be a digital to analog "Swiss army knife" of sorts. Accepting a TV via Toslink, a RasPi/Hat streamer via S/PDIF Coax, and a PC/tablet/smartphone via USB makes this 'Cheap as Schiit' DAC a true single box solution. All you need is a volume controlled amplifier and a set of speakers. There is an even more minimalist single box that throws in amplification as well. It's called the Cobalt DA from True Blue Box in the Netherlands. Inputs include 2 Toslink, 1 USB, 1 Line in, and 1 MM Phono. These are all processed digitally, even the Phono's RIAA compensation. All is up-sampled to 24 /192, converted to PWM, and then sent out to the speakers via 100 WPC BTL outputs. Definitely Kalax Fi. Waiting for it to arrive ...
@KIEVMINSK 4 жыл бұрын
Very nicely explained Appreciated
@IvanMarjanovicLDN 4 жыл бұрын
Really nice and simple. Thank you very much.
@BehnämakaBen 2 жыл бұрын
Well Done mate, your videos are so informative and simplify things to the easy understanding point. gathered heaps of knowledge with this video. Keep it up, Ben From Melbourne Australia (Well known for its Lockdown 😊)
@simonsaysrewind 4 жыл бұрын
Glad to watch this as I never bought a dac but was interested whether it was worth it.
@byrnemcneill 4 жыл бұрын
Love your content, mate. I’ve set myself a utopian kind of Hi-Fi end point to attempt to DIY everything (as close as economically practical) in the signal path. Speakers, power amp, pre amp (valves/tubes in this stage), wireless end point receiver and DAC. From what I can see the conversion is handled primarily by one chip, but the reduction in distortion and of converted signal is where things get a little complex. Not sure what the point of this comment is, but you’ve certainly highlighted the point that a separate DAC will shit all over anything built in to a device.
@pblackuk 4 жыл бұрын
You explain it so well, I think I have now got an addition, this week I have bought the Schiit Modi & Magni and then upgraded my headphones to the Meze 99 Neos....help meeeeeeee :) n a serious note, good work buddy keep it up.
@Kbaum752 4 жыл бұрын
Excellent video John. My cambridgeb dacmgic is still the nucleus of my hifi. CDs, Apple TV and raspberry Pi. Waiting for Allo to ship product to Canada again. Digi one in my future
@kevinzeng9606 4 жыл бұрын
Currently using the Mojo+Poly as streamer/dac line out (2V) to my Nait. Fantastic all-in-one solution!
@mykeviper Жыл бұрын
simple and on point.
@petrikpiemel8299 4 жыл бұрын
thanks John This video really helpt me out! thanks
@NJT1 4 жыл бұрын
Boss video, really helpful and has pointed me in the right direction 🤙🏼
@Bighungrymike 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this information.
@michaelpowell4823 4 жыл бұрын
I run a Yamaha AV and I can tell you when I hooked up a JDSLabs OL DAC digital between the TV and stereo I noticed a difference. It was the only change I made didn't do anything else. The mids/highs were clearer for watching TV/Movies. I was actually surprised by it. Edit: changed above to proper to JDS DAC, got confused which one was hooked up to the TV.
@deputy3690 4 ай бұрын
Excellent Excellent explanation!
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