old vs new DAC designs and sound differences


Hello fellow Audiogoners, there are alot of DACs around. After having listened to various DACs, I come to the conclusion that differences between DACs are not dramatic. Some relatively old DACs, like the Accuphase DC-91 or the Wadia 9 can still compete with the best of the current DACs. So age (with regard to design) doesn't matter much (1). There is actually no real difference between non-oversampling, filterless designs and the over and upsampling designs with the most difficult and sophisticated algorithms (2). A good sounding DAC, whether it is old, new, non oversampling or over and upsampling remains a good sounding DAC. Differences between loudspeakers are much bigger. Even differences between power amps are more significant than between two well designed DACs (3). So there is no reason at all to replace your albeit old but still good sounding DAC. I know I'll keep my oldskool Accuphase.
dazzdax
My Wadia 1000 x64 has been with me for 15 years and still creams any players and all the DACs I've heard (which isn't ALL the DACs) including Levinson, newer Wadias, Goldmund, and Sony. Haven't heard Meitner, Accuphase or Audio Logic.

I did improve its sound audibly by using the balanced outputs, and upgrading the glass digital cable and the power cord.
No plans to give up my Theta Gen Va balanced any time in the foreseeable future.
Comparisons to my Muse Model 2 Plus keep coming up short too. I think that design comes from around 99'. Haven't compared it to everything out there though. Not even close. Still, keeps me grin'en!

Marco