Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Pierre111
413
Jun 5, 2018
What is the benefit of using discrete resistors like this instead of resistors arrays? Tipically, even for the same tolerance on the value they are more closely matched, and you reduce traces which can theoretically bring noise, and it takes less real estate. just curious.
Heefty
1387
Jun 5, 2018
Pierre111For some reason the audio enthusiasts these days are all convinced that discrete components are better in some way. I don't understand it either. I'd also like to hear if someone has a better answer than that.
rastus
1391
Jun 5, 2018
Pierre111To get the precision level required, for a DAC R-2R monolithic resistor array, the cost would be high; it could be made though. TI has monolithic R-2R DAC's, all on an IC with a unique self calibration setup to handle manufacturing imperfections w/o trimming the ladders; if this were implemented for audio it would be interesting, you could have dual R-2R portable DAP's, still at a cost.
But not as cool-retro looking as big rows of discrete resistors though... unless it were made to be so... a resistor network on sapphire - under glass... a Chord fish-eye-magnifier-window maybe, for desktops?
I have to admit that I would like one of today's ultimate metal foil R-2R DACs... saw while looking for R-2R networks, dreams... http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/totaldac3/1.html
search
Pierre111
413
Jun 5, 2018
rastusI have a professional CD Player, the Sony CDP-d500, which use 2 Burr-Brown PCM1702 DAC. It is R-2R and from 1996. Still sounds very very good and I don't see why the actual tech got put aside. Sure it's just a 20 bit dac and no High res format. But the concept is there and even tough just made for CD resolution, does certainly compare well with modern dacs and sound better than most, given the same format.
rastus
1391
Jun 5, 2018
Pierre111Your Sony CDP-d500 is far better than I ever had... My last CD player was the Rega Planet, loved it back then and it is still playing beautifully today - for CD's,,, only have had to replace some old diodes... I stopped there, not wanting to invest in more injection molded media improvements like SACD. It was a few years ago when I learned that we could start getting "studio files", then I got back in.
From a review of the Rega Planet, circa '98', still a fitting statement today:
"Imperfect sound forever" "And don't forget that CD is an imperfect system. Never mind "perfect sound forever." We're stuck with imperfect sound—if not forever, then for many years to come.Roy Gandy told me, "With engineering CD players, it's a science and an art, because the whole system is relatively imperfect in itself. Often, real technical improvements on paper can take you backward in sound quality."
https://www.stereophile.com/content/rega-planet-cd-player-page-3
Pierre111Hey Pierre111, thanks for your question!
Integrated resistor arrays are not inherently better or worse than discrete resistors. In the context of the RDAC, the price point made it unrealistic to source sufficiently wide and precise integrated arrays. Otherwise, you are absolutely right that integrated arrays have better matching and can be a great solution for an R-2R DAC.
FrostyP
502
Jun 7, 2018
Heeftyit's a combination of audiophiles thinking they know better than actual engineers and being easily influenced by marketing
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile