The vintage multibit DAC is the oldest structure of digital to analog converter used since the early era of digital audio player. This multibit DAC can be built by using resistors ladder or the current converter. They are complex and expensive to built.
Later on comes the 1 bit delta sigma DAC from the Japan electronic manufacture tying to shift the domination of the multibit DAC IC that held by the western electronic manufacture.
In this post, I am trying to share why I still prefer using the vintage multibit DAC over the delta sigma DAC.
Keep reading.
The 1 bit delta sigma DAC is more economical, using low-cost CMOS IC, resulting the oversampling and noise sharping process can be built in one single chip along with the DAC function. It is require only 5 volt single supply and efficient enough to use it in portable device.
This is quite coincident since the portable audio player growth in the same era with this delta sigma DAC appearance. If you remember, at that years, the global economic demanding more affordable in every production line, including making the audio player that suitable not only for hi-end audio or the audio professional, but including the general consumer goods.
But that's all just a history.
Right now, all manufacture are producing this delta sigma DAC. The ESS Sabre and AKM is one of the best delta sigma DAC manufacture. The Burr-brown which acquisition by Texas Instruments is now only produce all delta sigma DAC which are not so much sparkling as they used to be when in the R2R multibit DAC. Same case with the Analog Device and Philips as well.
More than 2 decades has passes and this delta sigma DAC is at the matured states of development. The improvement should has pass the vintage multibit DAC.
But is it?
So last month, I bought this Fiio X7 Mark 2 in great but used condition. The reason I bought this portable player is intended for digital audio transport only. It will connect to my multibit DAC built by using the SPDIF output via coaxial connector provided by this Fiio X7 Mark 2.
Short brief about this Fiio X7 Mark 2 is the highest grade of Fiio portable player that released on 2018. The DAC use in this portable player is ESS Sabre ES9028PRO which I think it can represent with the today matured development of the delta sigma DAC.
When I testing the internal DAC of this Fiio X7, I mostly using the analog line out connected with the same amplifier I use in this audition. The amplifier I use here is the desktop amplifier and far better than the internal Fiio X7 amplifier.
The setup when I comparing to the vintage multibit DAC is I use the Fiio X7 only as digital audio transport. This device only deliver the PCM digital audio. Then the analog output from those multibit DAC connected to the same amplifier I use when audition the internal DAC of this Fiio X7. Now I can tell the difference.
For sure, there is nothing wrong with the delta sigma DAC in this Fiio X7. The sound stage is expansive, the sound quality is rich, detail and tends to the natural sounding. The midrange is clear and smooth which I don't think anything bad about this device at all.
I then compare it with my latest AD1865N and TDA1541 DAC built which the result are clearly outclasses.
The vintage multibit DAC offer excellent musicality without sacrifice details and sound-stage as the delta sigma DAC are superior at it. The depth of the music and lifelike vocals are clearly makes the vintage multibit DAC is more enjoyable to listen to. The magic of the multibit DAC is the layering of the sound reproduce is far more advanced than the delta sigma DAC which just like comparing a maestro painters with its scratched on the canvas to a printing portrait.
There is no way someone said that the multibit DAC sound like your old grandpa stereo system and the delta sigma DAC is like a modern audio system. It is maybe the comparison is not fair enough, or maybe they are blind-folded with the measurement?
Talking about the measurement, I don't think vintage multibit DAC can compete with the matured development delta sigma DAC. Let's say the latest vintage multibit DAC produced before the end of this DAC is the PCM1704. The end production is a year before the millennium which offering maximum 112dB dynamic range. In contrast, the delta sigma DAC I reviewed here is the ES9028PRO offering the dynamic range of 135dB.
But the sound quality and listening enjoyment cannot reveal just by the number.
That is why in today audio industry, the multibit DAC keep evolving. The shortage of the off-shelves vintage DAC is one of the cause, yet in the today market also demanding a good measurement with musical sound quality that need to be fulfilled. The answer for this is the discrete R2R multibit DAC that built in-house. It has great sound with good measurement and for sure it is expensive to build since it is start from the scratch. The dCS with it's ring DAC, the Chord company, the MSB DAC or the more affordable Denafrips DAC using this method to achieve those requirements.
But for me, I love to listening to this vintage multibit DAC. I have the excitement when finding the DAC IC I wanted then build it. Again, with this comparison result, I guess I still keep the vintage multibit DAC for my listening pleasure.
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