What's more important the D to A conversion or the A to D conversion?

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Judeus, Jan 3, 2016.

  1. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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    Which effects sound quality more and why? (not mastering technique) Simply the quality of the d/a or a/d converter used at recording or playback
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Well, chickens and eggs aside, you can't playback what isn't there. Or... you can only play back what is there...

    So the recording process as a whole must be the most important part, where potential playback quality is concerned. Whilst I'm not sure how fair it is to single out one piece of equipment (ADC), within the choices you give, my answer is... a/d.
     
  3. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    The recovered analog signal can't be any better than the recorded analog signal, strictly speaking. Just like the output of your amplifier can't be any better than the input of your amplifier. :p
     
  4. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    I guess the question you're trying to ask is which does more damage to the signal? It may be very difficult to tell every DAC output of a natural instrument had to go through a ADC to get there and essentially two revisions.
     

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