Thank you for this extremely clear explanation regarding DAC’s. Those of us that are just beginning our journey on two channel music appreciate this information.
@@timschutte6924 I still dont know if I still need a DAC after I bought an FosiTB10D cheap amp. Will the amp itself have high quality or do I need a DAC over the other DAC?!
I m Still confused. I m the same as before. I don't know absolutely nothing new. Should I buy a dac or amp or dongle that has them both for my earphone to sound better???
Hello! Ifyour sources are cd-sacd or turntables ,do not waste your money on a DAC! If you want to stream music by wire or wireless, you should get a good integrated amp with all these options!then you can use your smartphone or computer to stream everything!
Great explanation for people like me. I understood you perfectly, but someone that knows next to nothing about an oscilloscope, might have trouble understanding wave function.
Very informative. I'm brand new to the hifi hobby. Thank you for such a helpful video. So if I understand correctly, the "Line In 1/Line in 2" on my amp is for input of something like a CD player or cassette deck, and therefore it will be utilising a DAC within the Amp for those inputs.
Very good! If you have a Turntable (no builtin preamp) hooked to a Tube phono amp to a Tube preamp and then to a Tube amp to passive speakers you have pure analog sound, no DAC.
Just purchased a new Samsung Smart TV with no Headphone socket for my Cordless Headphones so I used a DAC to connect the Digital Optical out to my the Headphone reciever Analogue in and works a treat..
Excellent explanation, right to the point... Just missing the explanation around amplifiers since they do affect the DAC quality in a small manner and seem that was involved around the question.
Hi Jason 👋😆👍 great video and terrific explanation and analogies used. It’s clarified some things I wasn’t sure about, but your video made it clear. Thanks heaps for your time on this topic 🥰🥰👍🎉
Best explanation ever ! To anyone wondering what is DAC. Skills + Perfect pedagogy : the best combo to understand in a simple manner the topic. Many thanks Jason ZAVARELLA & KANTO Company
I understand DACs and STILL enjoyed your explanations. My question is, should I upgrade my $75 integrated DAC and headphone amp to much more expensive dedicated DACs and headphone amp and what is so special about the higher end devices that they cost 10 to 20 times more or even more than that!
I was recommended to get a dac by the shop I bought my current IEMs from when I complained about hissing noise when using my iem on laptop. Got a simple dongle DAC and boy. It solved the hissing problem AND brought up my audio experience from limp noodle to God
Unless you're going from an analog source phonograph, microphones etc thru an analog amplifier no DAC is needed, but all output from any digital device always goes thru a built in DAC, that's why you can directly hook up ear/headphones without an external DAC.
I bought a DAC for my smart TV to go to my stereo. It works great when I run through the cable box but as soon as I look at the same channels through streaming on the smart TV all I get is a buzz
So I guess I'm still a bit confused, which may have to do with my specific issue. My phone doesn't seem to support 32bits, but my headphones do, and I was hoping an external DAC would help with reaching that max potential. What can be recommended in this scenario and which DACs do you think I should consider?
Dear arthax! If you are swedish, you know that fantastic music has been made in sweden! Trust your ears and buy gear that makes you hear a difference! Too many hifi con men out there!
Some brands of active speakers have RCA inputs which go through ADCs (Analog to Digital Converter) for handling things like frequency cut off for the LFE/Sub out. Do the Kanto (YU4 specifically) speakers passthrough the Analog RCA input directly to the amp without modification (without ADC and DAC again) ?
Since almost every computer I have ever seen has an aux in/out (the computers' audio "card" has a DAC built in), why do I see so many people buying a DAC and hooking it to their computer? When they plug their headphones, or speakers, into the aux outlet, it has already gone through a DAC.
This is amazing. Thank you 🙏. So if I stream audio over Bluetooth from my phone, then I am not using my phone’s DAC, since Bluetooth is digital. Therefore I can stream Bluetooth to an external DAC, which converts to analog and sends to my speakers
I understand that analog signals can only be transmitted via electrical current. Why don’t computers have an optical output? Would a DAC’s quality be best represented by being feeded an optical signal or an electrical signal?
Because almost all (high end) mobile phones do not have a headphone jack (aka, an analog output). That said, even if it does you can still plug a portable DAC into the (digital) USB output of the phone as you would if it didn't have one, which isn't a terrible idea as often a dedicated DAC will be significantly higher quality than the one built into a phone (apart from certain LG phones, RIP, which had/have excellent audiophile level quad DACs).
A CD approximates a smooth analog signal? And what makes up the approximation? The DAC? The DAC circuit is between the preamp and final stage so it would be pretty late in the game of smoothing out anything, and what is the preamp preamping in the meantime? A music CD is just like a vinyl with microscopic tracks with the exact same pits and pit depths as a vinyl, to scale of course. So yeah leaving the data portion like ID info the actual music on a music cd is as analog as a vinyl. A smooth analog signal would be just a sine wave by the way.
Thank you! If I run my DAC output to a speaker control (Presonus Central Station), am I using (hearing) the DAC from the unit or the speaker control? HELP!
This is my second video trying to explain what is a DAC. Lad answered several questions, truly interested, the short answer is NO. I know the results of Mobile Phone, I speak into it someone answers it, I have no idea how this works. I've never heard of DAC's until today but what I do know is I switch on my 4K, what is that, television, and I can watch amazing videos, how does it work, are DAC's involved, I have no idea. I'm an intelligent 74 Y/O do I need to know about DACs NO.
1. So "digital" speakers don't actually exist? 2. The DAC conversion "approximates" the digital signal to smooth it out. Isn't digital also an approximation, meaning that technically digital and the converted analog is inferior to the original analog recording?
This is how I explain it...."Generally" two wires for sound (red and white= Left and right) = Analog. AND One wire FOR ALL OF THE SOUND = Optical, Coaxial, USB, HDMI = Digital. 2 wires generally need to go to a 2 wire connection, and a 1 wire connection FOR ALL OF THE SOUND needs to go to the SAME ONE WIRE CONNECTION. The receiving end that outputs the sound determines whether a DACS is needed. If the receiving end that outputs the sound has a 1 wire Optical, Coaxial, USB, HDMI connection, it has a DACS built-in and DOESN'T NEED ONE. If the receiving end that outputs the sound has a 2 wire red and white RCA connection it will only accept another Red/white analog connection. And here is the KEY....If you want to go from a ONE wire Optical, Coaxial,USB,HDMI digital connection, to a TWO wire Red/White analog connection,...THEN you need a DACS. Hence the name DAC = (Digital Analog Converter).
That description works conceptually but may have to add a clause because a 3.5mm to RCA adapter (one wire to two wire) are mainly used for "speaker out" connections which throws a slight curve ball into the picture. However, your general and quick analysis definitely covers the majority of the DAC idea - thanks for feedback.
I like that you take your time to explain but mini jack is one wire but is most of the time analog. So that's an error in your generalization. Think someone already pointed it out. I just like explanations that does it 100% right and not only 90%
@@RAimotion Yes!!! This is exactly why I typed "Generally" at the beginning of my sentence. I never said it was 100% true for all. You assumed that. Thank you for your effort though.
Go R2r as first dac. Cayin ru6 for phone , you won't be disappointed . This small dac packs so much Sq , you be surprised it can go toe to toe with 2k plus audio rigs. Save $ bypass amps power conditioners cables etc.
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](/img/1.gif)
This is possibly to easiest educational video to understand that I've ever seen on RUclips. It was delivered so well.
Great explanations. You are the rare trainer who understands that the "answer" is worthless without explaining the bigger picture first.
Thank you for this extremely clear explanation regarding DAC’s. Those of us that are just beginning our journey on two channel music appreciate this information.
Watched the entire video and I am more confused as to what my Drug and Alcohol Counseling has to do with any of this.
No more bullshit with this audiophile drivel! This guy's terrible!
Hahaha
After watching this I’m glad I didn’t buy the first DAC I saw. But now I’ve looked and so many I can’t decide ha
Exactly, there are so many choices. It boggles my mind.
The lovely fun of audiophile gear lol. Right there with you though 😂
Solution: buy the first one you saw
That's where i am right now.
@@timschutte6924 I still dont know if I still need a DAC after I bought an FosiTB10D cheap amp. Will the amp itself have high quality or do I need a DAC over the other DAC?!
I thought I had a good handle on DACs but after this excellent analysis by Kanto Solutions I fell more comfortable in my understanding. Thanks!
We are happy to help 😄
Thank you so mucho for this video! I finally understand how a DAC works. You explained it so well.
Thanks. I was confused and this was great help.
Very informative Jason. 🙂 Entering the world of IEM's and learning about DAC and this video set a lot of things straight.
Man, you rock! The DAC explained in the most clear way!
just getting into sound stuff and experienced high end speakers for the first time and these videos really help
This was incredibly informative and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
WOW! I had watched several videos on DACs and the whole thing was still kinda confusing, but this explanation was so clear it even made me feel smart
I m Still confused. I m the same as before. I don't know absolutely nothing new. Should I buy a dac or amp or dongle that has them both for my earphone to sound better???
@@MrNobody-zx4jzme too😬😬😬
it was a guess, i know nothing abt their sound
Hello! Ifyour sources are cd-sacd or turntables ,do not waste your money on a DAC! If you want to stream music by wire or wireless, you should get a good integrated amp with all these options!then you can use your smartphone or computer to stream everything!
I love those 'aha' moments when I understand the answer to the question that led me here. Thanks for clearing this up!
Thank you for this video, I’ve been out of hi-fi for a long time,and DACs was new to me, now I kind of understand it better.
Very helpful. Thanks for not being condescending. Not everyone is an expert.
You may be sarcastic but most people don't understad these concepts or just don't bother.
However you explaided it very well here.
Great explanation for people like me. I understood you perfectly, but someone that knows next to nothing about an oscilloscope, might have trouble understanding wave function.
Thank you so much. Most clear and concise explanation ever.
That was an excellent explanation of a complex subject. We’ll done!
100% best explanation cheers.
Wow excellent video. Thanks. Very useful
Excellent vid. Still have no clue what a DAC is or for
Very nice video, just starting to get into all this audio stuff. What a DAC is and does is now very clear to me thanks a lot mate!
Very informative. I'm brand new to the hifi hobby. Thank you for such a helpful video. So if I understand correctly, the "Line In 1/Line in 2" on my amp is for input of something like a CD player or cassette deck, and therefore it will be utilising a DAC within the Amp for those inputs.
Very good! If you have a Turntable (no builtin preamp) hooked to a Tube phono amp to a Tube preamp and then to a Tube amp to passive speakers you have pure analog sound, no DAC.
But that’s the DAC…
That was impeccably clear. Thank you!
Thank you for clearing up this information for us here. I just learned something new.
Man you are a fantastic presenter. Great voice and presence. Oh and you provided a very useful set of info about DACs
Thank you!
No, this is just bullshit!
Just purchased a new Samsung Smart TV with no Headphone socket for my Cordless Headphones so I used a DAC to connect the Digital Optical out to my the Headphone reciever Analogue in and works a treat..
Really Great education!
Excellent explanation, right to the point...
Just missing the explanation around amplifiers since they do affect the DAC quality in a small manner and seem that was involved around the question.
Hi Jason 👋😆👍 great video and terrific explanation and analogies used. It’s clarified some things I wasn’t sure about, but your video made it clear. Thanks heaps for your time on this topic 🥰🥰👍🎉
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you for being the helpful friendly anonymous audio nerd!
THANK YOU Jason!!!!!! Fantastic video with simple explanations. 🙌🏻
Best explanation ever ! To anyone wondering what is DAC.
Skills + Perfect pedagogy : the best combo to understand in a simple manner the topic.
Many thanks Jason ZAVARELLA & KANTO Company
AGREE!👍
this confused novice found the video very helpful. good job presenter.
best explanation I've ever heard.
One of the best videos on this topic - incredibly well presented
Man! What a great explanation! Thanks for putting together these videos👍🏽
I understand DACs and STILL enjoyed your explanations. My question is, should I upgrade my $75 integrated DAC and headphone amp to much more expensive dedicated DACs and headphone amp and what is so special about the higher end devices that they cost 10 to 20 times more or even more than that!
I was recommended to get a dac by the shop I bought my current IEMs from when I complained about hissing noise when using my iem on laptop. Got a simple dongle DAC and boy. It solved the hissing problem AND brought up my audio experience from limp noodle to God
nice to encounter someone else using the limp noodle to god scale
Very nice explanation! Thank you Favarella... ellla!
This is the most clear explanation!
Really valuable clarification, Jason. Thanks!
There are just so many. Thousands !!!!!
It's not just the digital to analog signal. It's the line conditioning as well.
excellent analogies and description.
Glad you liked it
I love my YU-2 and YU-6.
Amazing explanation. Thank you. If I was to watch this video a second time, i'd have the required knowledge to skip it :D
Amazing explanation. I feel like I'm ready for a quiz! :)
Very clear explanations that are very helpful! Thx!
Unless you're going from an analog source phonograph, microphones etc thru an analog amplifier no DAC is needed, but all output from any digital device always goes thru a built in DAC, that's why you can directly hook up ear/headphones without an external DAC.
Very well put. I completely understand now. Only my second video in but no need to go further in my research on these devices.
The best explanation I've seen/heard. Excellent job! Keep up the great work !
This was very helpful, thank you for good explanation :D
You should be an instructor. Awesome explanation.
Excellent! You have a talent for explaining technology with practical application in mind. Extremely helpful.
prob coming from years of pc troubleshooting
Great video
Thank you
Excellent presentation caused me to subscribe to enjoy future segments
Best DAC explanation
thank you man, i love ur clear explanation
Glad it helped!
Fantastic information! TIL
Hey nice vid! There are also digital clocks that show seconds ;) Cheers!
excellent primer!
Excellent video - I get it now. Thank you!
Awesome trainer for layman!
Good job.
Even Eye could understand it.
Nice! Informative and easy to digest.
🙌
Some people really need this information! I guess we all do.
I bought a DAC for my smart TV to go to my stereo. It works great when I run through the cable box but as soon as I look at the same channels through streaming on the smart TV all I get is a buzz
That was a really clear explanation. Thank you.
Wonderful explanation. Well done.
So I guess I'm still a bit confused, which may have to do with my specific issue. My phone doesn't seem to support 32bits, but my headphones do, and I was hoping an external DAC would help with reaching that max potential. What can be recommended in this scenario and which DACs do you think I should consider?
Wow! This video was awesome! Thank you so much for all the information.
Finally I understad this! Thank you Jason!
I do not think you have understood anything at all!
@@GeirRssaakhow so?
Dear arthax! If you are swedish, you know that fantastic music has been made in sweden! Trust your ears and buy gear that makes you hear a difference! Too many hifi con men out there!
i liked it for its simple non dramatic presentation.
DAC was an amazing video! ;-) Thanks!
Some brands of active speakers have RCA inputs which go through ADCs (Analog to Digital Converter) for handling things like frequency cut off for the LFE/Sub out. Do the Kanto (YU4 specifically) speakers passthrough the Analog RCA input directly to the amp without modification (without ADC and DAC again) ?
Only TUK uses an ADC, the rest of our speakers are analog
that was a quite good explanation of what and how a DAC functions! I knew what it was and still this helped so much for picturing it , thank you :)
Extremely useful and very clearly explained too
Glad it was helpful!
Genius video, thx!
Since almost every computer I have ever seen has an aux in/out (the computers' audio "card" has a DAC built in), why do I see so many people buying a DAC and hooking it to their computer? When they plug their headphones, or speakers, into the aux outlet, it has already gone through a DAC.
This is amazing. Thank you 🙏. So if I stream audio over Bluetooth from my phone, then I am not using my phone’s DAC, since Bluetooth is digital. Therefore I can stream Bluetooth to an external DAC, which converts to analog and sends to my speakers
Thank you for explaining this
I need one because digital input of my old AV receiver was down and I do not want to throw it away.
Thank you Jason this was very helpful
Great video
I understand that analog signals can only be transmitted via electrical current. Why don’t computers have an optical output? Would a DAC’s quality be best represented by being feeded an optical signal or an electrical signal?
Great presentation. The more you know about audio..
Hi Jason, thanks for the video. One question, if two DACs can't work simultaneously, how can a portable DAC work for mobile phones?
Because almost all (high end) mobile phones do not have a headphone jack (aka, an analog output). That said, even if it does you can still plug a portable DAC into the (digital) USB output of the phone as you would if it didn't have one, which isn't a terrible idea as often a dedicated DAC will be significantly higher quality than the one built into a phone (apart from certain LG phones, RIP, which had/have excellent audiophile level quad DACs).
A CD approximates a smooth analog signal? And what makes up the approximation? The DAC? The DAC circuit is between the preamp and final stage so it would be pretty late in the game of smoothing out anything, and what is the preamp preamping in the meantime? A music CD is just like a vinyl with microscopic tracks with the exact same pits and pit depths as a vinyl, to scale of course. So yeah leaving the data portion like ID info the actual music on a music cd is as analog as a vinyl. A smooth analog signal would be just a sine wave by the way.
You rock brother....
Thank you so much, this was super clear!
Glad we could help 😊
Thank you! If I run my DAC output to a speaker control (Presonus Central Station), am I using (hearing) the DAC from the unit or the speaker control? HELP!
It is kind of like a French Speaker interpreting to English. Or from Spanish to French. Now we understand each other... sort of....Lol!!
This is my second video trying to explain what is a DAC. Lad answered several questions, truly interested, the short answer is NO. I know the results of Mobile Phone, I speak into it someone answers it, I have no idea how this works. I've never heard of DAC's until today but what I do know is I switch on my 4K, what is that, television, and I can watch amazing videos, how does it work, are DAC's involved, I have no idea. I'm an intelligent 74 Y/O do I need to know about DACs NO.
1. So "digital" speakers don't actually exist?
2. The DAC conversion "approximates" the digital signal to smooth it out. Isn't digital also an approximation, meaning that technically digital and the converted analog is inferior to the original analog recording?
This is how I explain it...."Generally" two wires for sound (red and white= Left and right) = Analog. AND One wire FOR ALL OF THE SOUND = Optical, Coaxial, USB, HDMI = Digital. 2 wires generally need to go to a 2 wire connection, and a 1 wire connection FOR ALL OF THE SOUND needs to go to the SAME ONE WIRE CONNECTION. The receiving end that outputs the sound determines whether a DACS is needed.
If the receiving end that outputs the sound has a 1 wire Optical, Coaxial, USB, HDMI connection, it has a DACS built-in and DOESN'T NEED ONE. If the receiving end that outputs the sound has a 2 wire red and white RCA connection it will only accept another Red/white analog connection.
And here is the KEY....If you want to go from a ONE wire Optical, Coaxial,USB,HDMI digital connection, to a TWO wire Red/White analog connection,...THEN you need a DACS. Hence the name DAC = (Digital Analog Converter).
Great explanation
That description works conceptually but may have to add a clause because a 3.5mm to RCA adapter (one wire to two wire) are mainly used for "speaker out" connections which throws a slight curve ball into the picture. However, your general and quick analysis definitely covers the majority of the DAC idea - thanks for feedback.
@@dkrall4me I absolutely agree. And that was the reason for "Generally" being inserted. There are always curve balls. :)
I like that you take your time to explain but mini jack is one wire but is most of the time analog. So that's an error in your generalization. Think someone already pointed it out. I just like explanations that does it 100% right and not only 90%
@@RAimotion Yes!!! This is exactly why I typed
"Generally" at the beginning of my sentence. I never said it was 100% true for all. You assumed that. Thank you for your effort though.
Digital Instrument ----------> DAC ---------------------------> Amplifier -----------------------------> Speakers
add bitperfect output in first row
Go R2r as first dac. Cayin ru6 for phone , you won't be disappointed . This small dac packs so much Sq , you be surprised it can go toe to toe with 2k plus audio rigs. Save $ bypass amps power conditioners cables etc.