What is a DAC? Do you Need One? | Beginner's Guide to DACs (Digital Analog Converter)

[@TsuTsu2]

This is possibly to easiest educational video to understand that I've ever seen on KZbin. It was delivered so well.

[@galan7337]

Great explanations. You are the rare trainer who understands that the "answer" is worthless without explaining the bigger picture first.

[@tharrigan5661]

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.

[@rickkolb6758]

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!

[@KantoSolutions]

We are happy to help 😄

[@cadiehl1]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! Finally someone dumbed it down so I could understand. Greatly appreciate this video.

[@rolocaranti]

Thank you so mucho for this video! I finally understand how a DAC works. You explained it so well.

[@ivanp8570]

Man, you rock! The DAC explained in the most clear way!

[@boronmich]

I got only one question, as I was always mixing from 2 turntables... is it true that sound from turntables is going to sound warmer/better/more fulll/round (using the same active speakers as outputs) in 2 different scenarios 1. using a digital mixer like Xone DB4 2. using analog pioneer djm 600. That intrigues me a lot. - thank Yopu in advance for an answer.

[@boronmich]

I mean will there be any difference in sound using e.g. CD Players and analogue mixer or Turntables and analogue mixer as well as turntables and digital mixer and CD players and digital mixer - in both cases using active speakers, or using e.g. amplifier?

[@mystifyingentity]

just getting into sound stuff and experienced high end speakers for the first time and these videos really help

[@d1piper]

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

[@timschutte6924]

Exactly, there are so many choices. It boggles my mind.

[@rattledroar2426]

The lovely fun of audiophile gear lol. Right there with you though 😂

[@yodigak8810]

Solution: buy the first one you saw

[@TrevorDodd-ev1sx]

That's where i am right now.

[@hipidipi20157max]

@@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?!

[@cityofangels11]

Very informative Jason. 🙂 Entering the world of IEM's and learning about DAC and this video set a lot of things straight.

[@papes_]

This was incredibly informative and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@bryanguest2807]

Watched the entire video and I am more confused as to what my Drug and Alcohol Counseling has to do with any of this.

[@eugeneniemierzycki6490]

No more bullshit with this audiophile drivel! This guy's terrible!

[@jadebizzle8487]

Hahaha

[@WyvernVin]

You honestly made me lol!

[@MastrChee]

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) ?

[@KantoSolutions]

Only TUK uses an ADC, the rest of our speakers are analog

[@davebutler3905]

Well done. You made that fairly understandable... Some visuals showing signal path might help people see where the dac is located.

[@f8fj]

Thanks. I was confused and this was great help.

[@dragonstone6594]

You may be sarcastic but most people don't understad these concepts or just don't bother. However you explaided it very well here.

[@GregSchmidt711]

That was an excellent explanation of a complex subject. We’ll done!

[@martinmullen71]

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.

[@glennberg8300]

Man you are a fantastic presenter. Great voice and presence. Oh and you provided a very useful set of info about DACs

[@KantoSolutions]

Thank you!

[@GeirRssaak]

No, this is just bullshit!

[@kevinansell9341]

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..

[@quitmanlott7394]

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.

[@Marlon_BMG]

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!

[@V1RU5Zuk]

I love those 'aha' moments when I understand the answer to the question that led me here. Thanks for clearing this up!

[@maze400]

Hey Jason, I was wondering, playing audio files on an android phone. The phone must have a DAC because you can hear the music using the phones speakers. I have a headphone jack so again, I assume I am using the built in DAC. If I am correct so far, yippy for me. Blue tooth would send a digital signa to the headphones so it's fair to assume the Samsung headphones have a built in DAC, correct? I also have a portable DAC so I can use wired headphone if I choose. What about the USB-C on the phone? I can connect the Qudelix DAC via the usb, this leads me to think the USB-C would be putting out a digital signal? The codec says PSC lossless though so I am not clear.

[@KantoSolutions]

Everything you described is correct!

[@mohammedalomari1998]

Thanks for your great channel and reviews. If i have cd player with dac and i connect it to integrated amplifier within dac via rca, what dac will be utilized the cd player one or integrated amplifier one? Kind regard

[@JohnnyTheDoe]

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.

[@RogueVisionary]

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?

[@solice8844]

My all in one desktop computer has a built in DAC, I am sure. When playing you-tube music a single cord connects the computer (digital end light green 3.5 sound jack) to my stereo receiver (RCA end red-white analog plugs). Do I need a stand alone external DAC to improve the system sound output and where should it be placed?

[@swamysasi9296]

What about wireless transmission, when we connected through blutooth what type signals we are sending to the speaker's? Please explain about different codecs like aptx and aptx_hd or aac

[@andrewoutside2073]

THANK YOU Jason!!!!!! Fantastic video with simple explanations. 🙌🏻

[@Sarge_72]

One of the best videos on this topic - incredibly well presented

[@louisbelfiore945]

Thank you so much. Most clear and concise explanation ever.

[@frankhugh2052]

Excellent vid. Still have no clue what a DAC is or for

[@sawsaw7]

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

[@MrNobody-zx4jz]

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???

[@tytownsend8219]

​@@MrNobody-zx4jzme too😬😬😬

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

it was a guess, i know nothing abt their sound

[@GeirRssaak]

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!

[@mrronenza]

Great video. Question pls : What best audio result: Streamer with built in DAC 92/196 connected to a processor via analog cables OR that streamer connected Digital via Coax RCA cable to that processor and using the processor’s BETTER DAC but up to 24/96 ? Thank you

[@danielshaun3429]

I’m looking into hooking up a phone to an auxiliary to digital coaxial cord to DAC to soundbar/also to mono home theatre amp to subwoofer!…. Would this set up work?

[@VinhNguyen12388]

Do I need to use DAC, if I connect optical from TV to optical of amplifier? Thanks

[@davidst4896]

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.

[@spacecowboy511]

But that’s the DAC…

[@henokh.c]

If I'm using an external DAC and headphone on 2 different laptop would the audio output sound similar? or does the laptop have an influence on the audio coming out?

[@KantoSolutions]

As long as the laptops are just passing a digital signal to the external DAC, the laptops will not have an influence on the audio coming out.

[@vwoeng7477]

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

[@KantoSolutions]

nice to encounter someone else using the limp noodle to god scale

[@ChefTom777]

No topic about bluetooth music from a player to an active speaker with bluetooth receiver.. But I think the answer is it uses the speakers built in dac to convert the files its receiving fron the player..

[@timschutte6924]

There are just so many. Thousands !!!!! It's not just the digital to analog signal. It's the line conditioning as well.

[@franklandgraff1190]

Very informative, but I have a question that came to as I watched this. Many receivers have built in DACs and your speakers have a DAC. Can both DAC's be bypassed and use a better quality DAC? CD player to DAC to Amplifier to Speakers?

[@KantoSolutions]

Yes if your CD player has an optical out you can feed the digital stream into an external DAC and then feed the analog signal into the speakers RCA input.

[@thats2odd]

I'm going to do a setup on my PC using the the Klipsch R-51M. Can I get away with just a Amp or would a DAC give me a better sound quality? A powered subwoofer will be in the future

[@stephentyler4352]

Thank you for clearing up this information for us here. I just learned something new.

[@ThunderKat]

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.

[@DJODJOMusic]

Can you use for studio monitors to tv?

[@keyemup]

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!

[@davebutler3905]

The clue is in the interconnecting cable. If it's a digital cable... Usb, coax, optical, hdmi, Bluetooth etc then you are using a DAC in one of the downstream devices. But if it's an analogue cable... RCA, phono, aux, XLR, speaker flex etc then you have to be using the DAC in an upstream device.

[@barrywilliams606]

I might be behind , but how would you use a wiim mini with the amp Bluetooth or solid connection

[@benbryson6598]

6:50 I wonder if the question was, would an external dac cause the signal to bypass the built in dac and use the external converter, I'm guessing no

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

then those would be epics and fairly priced

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

although um too has their car worth lineup

[@doncoyote2]

There are plenty of budget DACs around with optical input. Is it worthwhile using these from a TV instead of external speaker's DAC?

[@E2rdzik]

That was impeccably clear. Thank you!

[@Declan4253]

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!

[@petert2922]

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.

[@TheRoccokid]

I have a MA-352 with S/F Speakers, my CD player has built in DAC, is another unit needed?

[@clintjakealfante3101]

A question, If you play your audio thru bluetooth, are you using the DAC that is built-in in the speaker?

[@425gabe]

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?

[@OG_Greg]

Amazing explanation. Thank you. If I was to watch this video a second time, i'd have the required knowledge to skip it :D

[@alejandroprc]

Man! What a great explanation! Thanks for putting together these videos👍🏽

[@huyly5339]

Hi, if I connect a DAC using Optical connection to listen to music on youtube, do I actually getting better sound? Thanks.

[@curtwatts8620]

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

[@jselt53]

this confused novice found the video very helpful. good job presenter.

[@WTFigorWTF]

So, if i connect my PC to my external DAC via optical cable (digital). And my external DAC to my speakers via XLR (Analog). Im using only my External DAC and not my DAC built in my PC?

[@ecobuilder508]

Excellent presentation caused me to subscribe to enjoy future segments

[@MarcusDolby]

Very helpful. Thanks for not being condescending. Not everyone is an expert.

[@QuirkyFactos]

So, if I am using my phone to stream spotify by connecting it using jack 3.5mm to usb whatever the DAC need, then DAC to my basic normal speaker via AUX, am I listening a DAC version of the song or still considered digital?

[@BrettGlass]

Thanks, When I was young I didn't pay attention. We were to busy partying and just knew it sounded good,or not. Now that I'm trying to learn in my old age, they have made it very confusing. Like when a speakers wpc rating had old school wpc and list something called DIM or MIN or/???. Or trying to match a newer receiver to old school speakers where all they list for power is actually what the unit will use, not the output per channel. I guess it makes it look more powerful. Thanks I now understand DAC...but. When do I need one? Is the built in DAC on phones or computers poor. If so how would running it through another DAC change that???

[@atuane7003]

Thanks, subscribed 😊 I am new to this. So a preamp with Bluetooth also has a dac in it to convert the digital Bluetooth signal to rca. Correct?

[@josephguo6256]

I need one because digital input of my old AV receiver was down and I do not want to throw it away.

[@Doogle136]

Really valuable clarification, Jason. Thanks!

[@joegallagher6461]

Thank you for being the helpful friendly anonymous audio nerd!

[@odebroqueville]

Very nice explanation! Thank you Favarella... ellla!

[@pinarellolimoncello]

Excuse my ignorance and this might be going slightly off topic from the video but would I be correct in saying the only difference between streaming music by a computer and playing it through my hifi or doing it with a DAC is that the former gives me a digital sound whilst the latter will be presented as analogue ie same as listening to a record. Secondly if 90 % of streamed music is lossy compared to cd quality then I'm not sure what all the fuss is about other than the convenience of being able to stream . Happy to plead ignorance , if anyone can explain further best reason to buy a DAC i'd really appreciate it, thank you.

[@GeorgetownDude]

OK, Jason,,,,,,,,,I get all that. (Not really that complicated). But if my digital device (iPhone, macbook, etc.) ALREADY has a built-in DAC, the n why do I need to get an fancy, expensive, external DAC as well? What is the marginal benefit? Thanks.

[@saneshgobin4259]

So I have dongle DAC (Sound blaster Play 4) attached to my pc via usb because the internal line out/ headphone port is not working. I bought a cheap 2.1 system with included amplifier ( Microlab fc360). It only takes line input or rca. Will it cause any problems with the DAC or Amp if I connect the dongle DAC to the Microlab line input? thanks in advance.

[@alexistheonlyone-o1c]

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

[@francesschaefer]

AGREE!👍

[@michaelthompson9798]

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 🥰🥰👍🎉

[@KantoSolutions]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Aidan.17]

Thanks for the video. I still don’t understand though why the DAC on Z407 Logitech speaker ($149 speakers) sounds audibly flat e.g. no treble compared to using 3.5mm audio out on my $70 motherboard which is fine.

[@edmondo785]

Hi Jason, thanks for the video. One question, if two DACs can't work simultaneously, how can a portable DAC work for mobile phones?

[@jyjjy7]

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).

[@lol3ndir]

Hi, if I have Schiit Magnius and Modius stack what's the best connection for me to use? Kanto RCA to Modius DAC's RCA or use the optical cable to Modius? I just want a single device connected to my computer instead of 2 USB's. I can switch Kanto speaker and Sennheiser with Modius DAC input. Thank you for someone who will answer my inquiry.

[@MK-fg9qe]

So basically, if I want to use an external DAC/ Pre-Amplifier/ Amplifier, I need to buy the passive speakers, not for active Kanto speaker right? There is no way to improve the sound with active/powered Kanto speakers, correct?

[@h_a.na.]

This is the most clear explanation!

[@muffemod]

Doesn't the computer already convert the digital audio to analog? 🤔

[@KantoSolutions]

Yes, if the computer has a headphone out then there's a DAC in the computer converting audio from digital to analog!

[@henokh.c]

@@KantoSolutionsIf I plug in an external DAC, can I switch from the computer onboard DAC to the external one?

[@2040Sharan]

Yup you can select the output device in the pc settings

[@gtk301]

So what is more important dac or amplifier and do i need both for good quality sound or av receiver is enough....

[@KantoSolutions]

There's no right answer. If your DAC isn't good then you'll be sending a poor-quality signal to your amp, so even if the amp is good you'll still have poor-quality sound. With that being said, most modern DACs, even budget ones, sound pretty good so you probably won't ever end up in this scenario. AV receivers, which typically contain DACs and an amplifier, will work fine but if you're not using the video portion of the receiver, or the multi channel features, you may be able to spend less money on a budget DAC and amp, or integrated stereo amp.

[@Dolle_Man]

I missed the comparison with the use of an audio-interface with also functions as a DAC.

[@JohnW118]

excellent analogies and description.

[@KantoSolutions]

Glad you liked it

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

Very well put. I completely understand now. Only my second video in but no need to go further in my research on these devices.

[@jayd2204]

This was very helpful, thank you for good explanation :D

[@guitarhero9592]

Do you know if the converter can be used to convert optical cable from TV to RCA cables for a powered subwoofer? I just replaced my sound bar and my old one had “sub out” so was thinking of using hdmi arc from soundbar to hdmi arc on tv then optical from tv to input of converter then use RCA output from converter using RCA cables to connect my powered subwoofer.

[@gibsonfan159]

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?

[@BennyCFD]

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.

[@wric01]

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.

[@MrFreakwent]

best explanation I've ever heard.

[@bjohnsonsv]

Amazing explanation. I feel like I'm ready for a quiz! :)

[@sudhirsimson3340]

Thanks for the explanation. I am connecting my new TV using Optical Out to my old Home theatre using RCA in using a DAC. It only plays on two speakers and not on all the 5 speakers. Does it mean, it only sends 2 channel signals? Is there any way to hear on all the speakers (it doesn't have to be surround sound).

[@aoyukialquen2835]

thank you man, i love ur clear explanation

[@KantoSolutions]

Glad it helped!

[@SacreDro]

So if I want to listen to a CD via a CD player transport, do I need a DAC to connect it to the amp from the CD player or my desktop PC?

[@odessa69max]

Best DAC explanation

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I have a old Marantz with only RCA connections and I did hook up a Bluetooth so I can play my phone through it. Now is it using the phone DAC ? Is it playing digital or analog ? If I bought a DAC would it remain digital or be converted back into analog by the stereo? I do think the phone is cleaner than other sources . You can tell how well the music was recorded because different recordings sound different. My Klipsch horns are very sensitive and take very little power. I’m kind of lost ? Thank you

[@KantoSolutions]

I'm assuming you adding a Bluetooth receiver to your Marantz. If that's the case the phone is sending digital audio to the Bluetooth receiver and the Bluetooth receiver is converting the audio to analog which means the DAC is in the Bluetooth receiver.

[@fabieneldridge3414]

@@KantoSolutions thank you