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affordable DAC for rock/metal

Any headbangers with suggestions for a DAC around $300?

I have Klipsch Heresy and Onkyo A-9555, which sounds great and I want to upgrade to an external DAC from the pc soundcard I've been using.

The overall sound I like is crunchy, full and dynamic with presence to suit live rock shows.

I'm guessing the DAC should be able to separate instruments well and have a clear, neutral midrange.

The Heresys don't sound bright to me, so I'm thinking something that makes the even more alive would work.
mstapletn
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Interesting.

I think the choice of DAC will depend on the inherent character of the rest of the system. Personally, I do not want any artificial warmth or charm especially when it comes to rock/pop/metal music. The end results should be neutral, lively, dynamic and perhaps even sometimes unnerving, like dropping a bomb.
undertow
1,032 posts
 
Mapman
Okay accept how do you get that balance when most of these recordings are far from Neutral!
Thats kinda the point, some heavy metal discs take heavy doses of equalization in the first place to bring back the missing clarity, full vocal sound, and bottom end bass. So thats the only reason I suggest tilting the spectrum the other way, especially with Klipsch and Onkyo gear, they are much more steril and thin by nature in many cases. Dynamic yes, but neutral?...
tvad
9,467 posts
 
What you need to achieve the crunchy, dynamic presentation you're accustomed to at live rock shows is not a specific DAC, but rather a compressor/limiter.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Undertow,

No easy answer

The recordings are what they are as you point out and are rarely perfect.

Better to get what you can out of a variety of recordings regardless of the flaws and not try to make a particular flawed recording sound "right".

Only you can judge what sounds best to you in your system. Some systems benefit from injecting a little warmth and others do not for sure.
undertow
1,032 posts
 
I agree, but I guess that’s the point of asking the question "Whats best for this" Nothing will be best for it all at once.. Getting close enough universally is the name of the game.
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