d/a converters

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=91441
Printed Date: May 07, 2025 at 9:28 AM

Topic: d/a converters

Posted By: oman76
Subject: d/a converters
Date Posted: March 08, 2007 at 5:59 PM

Can someone elaborate or guide me to a site that will inform me on the difference between 1 bit, 16 bit, and 24 bit D/A converters. The reason being is that I have an old Alpine 7903s that has 2 16-bit linear D/A converters. After listening to newer model HU(e.g. Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, etc.) I still prefer the sound quality of my old pull out. Just looking for a technical reason, if there is one, why my Alpine 7903s sounds better to me than most newer HU. All opinions welcomed.

Replies:

Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: March 08, 2007 at 9:36 PM

Well, what sounds better to one person may sound lousy to another. But there also may be a technical reason for you.

Generally, it is felt that 24 bit DAC's are superior as they have a better sampling rate, basically they reproduce signal in a wider and faster spectrum. Now there are variances within DAC's. There are actually different grade DAC's. Keep in mind that cd's are recorded in 16 bit.

I owned an alpine that had a 1 bit dac, I switched to an Eclipse with a Burr Brown 24 bit DAC and wouldn't go back. (Burr Brown is a mfr. and is a fairly respected mfr. of DACs)

Here is site that really gives a whole pictiure. Look at number 127 on the right.

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Posted By: oman76
Date Posted: March 10, 2007 at 11:47 AM

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know what HU manufacturers, besides Eclipse, use the Burr-Brown 24bit D/A converters?

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Alpine 7903/Kove Aphex Signal Processor/
Streetwires/MTX Blue Thunder Pro 400X5/JL Audio XR570-CXi/Polk Audio DB Tweeters/Image Dynamics IDQ10D4 V.2

Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: March 10, 2007 at 3:33 PM

I believe the newer sonys actually incorporate Burr Brown DACs along with some Kenwoods and Pioneers.

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Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: March 10, 2007 at 5:49 PM

You are right Dan,. Also the new high-end Alpines. Burr-Brown was taken over by Texas Instruments and they've gone mainstream now. More the better for us!

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Posted By: jmelton86
Date Posted: March 12, 2007 at 10:49 PM

I have a 2005 JVC with the Burr-Brown D/A convertor.

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Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: March 13, 2007 at 1:26 AM

Keep that old Alpine. (or send it to me if you don't want it). I will give it a good home.

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