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

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  • čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
  • In this episode of Kanto Explains, we cover the basics of a Digital Analog Converter, a DAC so you know if you need it.
    A DAC takes digital data and transforms it into an analog audio signal.
    Watch this beginner guide to understand what is a DAC and if you need one.
    Subscribe to Kanto Solutions for more: bit.ly/KantoSolutions
    Ready to experience better audio? Check out our speakers here: bit.ly/2TyMk52
    We aim to break down topics pertaining to various audio and video products to deliver clear-cut answers to your frequently asked questions.
    Kanto is an exciting brand of CE products with a mission to support our customers’ digital lifestyle. We offer a wide selection of TV mounting solutions for commercial and residential use, ranging from wall mounts to mobile carts. All of our products are designed to make it easy for anyone to achieve a professional level setup.
    Follow Us:
    Facebook: / kantoaudio
    Twitter: / kantoaudio
    www.kantoaudio.com
    Chapters:
    00:00 Overview
    00:45 What is a DAC and when are you using a DAC
    01:08 Frequently asked questions about DACs
    02:09 The basics (DAC - Digital to Analog Converter)
    04:52 What does a DAC do in simple words?
    05:21 Questions answered
    08:48 Conclusion
  • Jak na to + styl

Komentáře • 353

  • @galan7337
    @galan7337 Před měsícem +5

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

  • @ivanp8570
    @ivanp8570 Před rokem +4

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

  • @rolocaranti
    @rolocaranti Před 2 lety +18

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

  • @d1piper
    @d1piper Před 2 lety +43

    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
      @timschutte6924 Před rokem +4

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

    • @rattledroar2426
      @rattledroar2426 Před 9 měsíci

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

    • @yodigak8810
      @yodigak8810 Před 8 měsíci

      Solution: buy the first one you saw

    • @TrevorDodd-ev1sx
      @TrevorDodd-ev1sx Před 6 měsíci

      That's where i am right now.

    • @user-oh6ev7mj5q
      @user-oh6ev7mj5q Před 23 dny

      @@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
    @cityofangels11 Před rokem +30

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

  • @mystifyingentity
    @mystifyingentity Před rokem +1

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

  • @papes_
    @papes_ Před rokem +10

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

  • @rickkolb6758
    @rickkolb6758 Před 2 lety +37

    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!

  • @Sarge_72
    @Sarge_72 Před rokem +3

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

  • @alejandroprc
    @alejandroprc Před rokem +3

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

  • @GregSchmidt711
    @GregSchmidt711 Před rokem +3

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

  • @Doogle136
    @Doogle136 Před rokem +1

    Really valuable clarification, Jason. Thanks!

  • @martinmullen71
    @martinmullen71 Před 2 lety +2

    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.

  • @MarcusDolby
    @MarcusDolby Před 18 dny +1

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

  • @E2rdzik
    @E2rdzik Před rokem +1

    That was impeccably clear. Thank you!

  • @andrewoutside2073
    @andrewoutside2073 Před měsícem

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

  • @joegallagher6461
    @joegallagher6461 Před 2 lety

    Thank you for being the helpful friendly anonymous audio nerd!

  • @andresilveira9552
    @andresilveira9552 Před rokem

    Wow! This video was awesome! Thank you so much for all the information.

  • @michaelthompson9798
    @michaelthompson9798 Před 2 lety +11

    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 🥰🥰👍🎉

  • @thomasreuter1968
    @thomasreuter1968 Před rokem +1

    Very clear explanations that are very helpful! Thx!

  • @mohammedalomari1998
    @mohammedalomari1998 Před 3 měsíci +1

    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

  • @h_a.na.
    @h_a.na. Před měsícem

    This is the most clear explanation!

  • @ChrisTopheRaz
    @ChrisTopheRaz Před rokem

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

  • @Jack-um5ii
    @Jack-um5ii Před 2 lety

    Thank you Jason this was very helpful

  • @sabaliovercome
    @sabaliovercome Před 2 lety

    Great presentation. The more you know about audio..

  • @ThunderKat
    @ThunderKat Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @sawsaw7
    @sawsaw7 Před 2 lety +16

    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
      @MrNobody-zx4jz Před rokem +3

      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
      @tytownsend8219 Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@MrNobody-zx4jzme too😬😬😬

    • @iikatinggangsengii2471
      @iikatinggangsengii2471 Před 6 měsíci

      it was a guess, i know nothing abt their sound

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak Před 6 měsíci

      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!

  • @johnnysutherland5717
    @johnnysutherland5717 Před 4 měsíci

    Excellent video - I get it now. Thank you!

  • @TheEnglishRedneck45
    @TheEnglishRedneck45 Před 2 lety +1

    Extremely useful and very clearly explained too

  • @odebroqueville
    @odebroqueville Před měsícem

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

  • @marvinkentvillamor1570
    @marvinkentvillamor1570 Před 2 lety +3

    Nice! Informative and easy to digest.

  • @sammassam100
    @sammassam100 Před 2 lety

    i liked it for its simple non dramatic presentation.

  • @tomelew8465
    @tomelew8465 Před rokem

    Phenomenal video! Thanks.

  • @odessa69max
    @odessa69max Před rokem

    Best DAC explanation

  • @georgieo.5190
    @georgieo.5190 Před rokem +6

    that was a quite good explanation of what and how a DAC functions! I knew what it was and still this helped so much for picturing it , thank you :)

  • @ecobuilder508
    @ecobuilder508 Před rokem

    Excellent presentation caused me to subscribe to enjoy future segments

  • @TRANCERwin
    @TRANCERwin Před 2 lety

    Im enlightened right now, thanks for the knowledge (:

  • @clearskyy
    @clearskyy Před rokem

    Thank you for explaining this

  • @fabricefleck5409
    @fabricefleck5409 Před rokem

    Very good explanation!

  • @victoryvisiontour
    @victoryvisiontour Před 2 měsíci

    That was a really clear explanation. Thank you.

  • @diceman68692
    @diceman68692 Před 2 měsíci

    Wonderful explanation. Well done.

  • @frankhugh2052
    @frankhugh2052 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @JohnnyTheDoe
    @JohnnyTheDoe Před 2 měsíci

    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.

  • @JulianAbreu
    @JulianAbreu Před rokem

    such perfect video, thank you

  • @ndavies8
    @ndavies8 Před 2 lety

    Excellent explanation

  • @jayd2204
    @jayd2204 Před 10 měsíci +1

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

  • @dragonstone6594
    @dragonstone6594 Před 7 měsíci +1

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

  • @V1RU5Zuk
    @V1RU5Zuk Před 11 měsíci

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

  • @Otang6
    @Otang6 Před 2 lety

    This is amazing. Thank you 🙏. So if I stream audio over Bluetooth from my phone, then I am not using my phone’s DAC, since Bluetooth is digital. Therefore I can stream Bluetooth to an external DAC, which converts to analog and sends to my speakers

  • @MusicConnoisseurian
    @MusicConnoisseurian Před 2 lety

    Finally. Great explanation.

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak Před 6 měsíci

      No, this was a stupid explanation!

  • @RdandTrk1
    @RdandTrk1 Před 2 lety

    Hot damn this video was educational! I've watched several break downs by now but this one caused it to really click!

  • @glennberg8300
    @glennberg8300 Před 10 měsíci +1

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

  • @jselt53
    @jselt53 Před 2 lety

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

  • @kevinansell9341
    @kevinansell9341 Před rokem

    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..

  • @guitarhero9592
    @guitarhero9592 Před rokem

    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.

  • @swamysasi9296
    @swamysasi9296 Před 2 lety +1

    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

  • @atuane7003
    @atuane7003 Před 27 dny

    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?

  • @quitmanlott7394
    @quitmanlott7394 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @LillyAugusta
    @LillyAugusta Před 2 lety +2

    Hey nice vid! There are also digital clocks that show seconds ;) Cheers!

  • @tedroybal5231
    @tedroybal5231 Před 4 měsíci

    Awesome content. Thank you

  • @alexistruong3123
    @alexistruong3123 Před rokem +3

    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

  • @kevinb3812
    @kevinb3812 Před rokem

    Some people really need this information! I guess we all do.

  • @keyemup
    @keyemup Před 3 měsíci +1

    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!

  • @BobYau
    @BobYau Před rokem +4

    The best explanation I've seen/heard. Excellent job! Keep up the great work !

  • @mrronenza
    @mrronenza Před rokem

    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

  • @thewillsfamilyaccount6486

    Nicely explained.. thank you..

  • @JohnW118
    @JohnW118 Před 6 měsíci +1

    excellent analogies and description.

  • @TheDoobree
    @TheDoobree Před 7 měsíci +1

    Genius video, thx!

  • @TheAkagai
    @TheAkagai Před 3 měsíci

    Good job.
    Even Eye could understand it.

  • @danielshaun3429
    @danielshaun3429 Před rokem

    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?

  • @mlbeaumont
    @mlbeaumont Před rokem

    Loved this thanks

  • @sudhirsimson3340
    @sudhirsimson3340 Před 2 lety

    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).

  • @RecktalBear
    @RecktalBear Před 2 lety

    Dude, thank you so much!

  • @TheJohnam
    @TheJohnam Před 2 lety

    Very good information, so it seems that a pair of speakers with rca cables connected to your pc cannot have an external dac converter or i need a sound tarjet with a dac converter? because i have a pair of edifier 350db speakers with a woofer and has high frequency cone and a only one low-mid frequency cone each spearker... i have hear than a dac converter can make correct to the low-mid cone doesnt sound muddy and more clarified so then the woofer sounds more separated or tighter, or on the other hand the low-mid cone more discriminated to the woofer, sorry i am too specified so i want to make sense to a possible solution... thanks!

  • @OG_Greg
    @OG_Greg Před rokem

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

  • @volleyballvideos6426
    @volleyballvideos6426 Před 2 lety +2

    DAC was an amazing video! ;-) Thanks!

  • @pa1
    @pa1 Před rokem

    Thank u thank u sooo much. Really the info what I am looking for

  • @aoyukialquen2835
    @aoyukialquen2835 Před 8 měsíci +1

    thank you man, i love ur clear explanation

  • @katerinaplockova6092
    @katerinaplockova6092 Před rokem

    this is very well explained

  • @ud1235
    @ud1235 Před 29 dny

    Awesome trainer for layman!

  • @Lou.B
    @Lou.B Před rokem

    Excellent!!!

  • @dreamfunction4491
    @dreamfunction4491 Před rokem

    Very well done sir.

  • @Arthax83
    @Arthax83 Před rokem

    Finally I understad this! Thank you Jason!

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak Před 6 měsíci

      I do not think you have understood anything at all!

    • @Arthax83
      @Arthax83 Před 6 měsíci

      ​@@GeirRssaakhow so?

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak Před 6 měsíci

      Dear arthax! If you are swedish, you know that fantastic music has been made in sweden! Trust your ears and buy gear that makes you hear a difference! Too many hifi con men out there!

  • @TheMmvukici
    @TheMmvukici Před rokem

    this video was so helpful thank you.

  • @Manjiss92
    @Manjiss92 Před 4 měsíci

    Thank you so much, this was super clear!

  • @rijoe57
    @rijoe57 Před 2 lety

    Very nice video. Thanks!
    Could you please tell me if we can connect an amp/dac combo (like the ifi hip dac) to an amp and then to headphones? will the additional amplification of the amp DAC instead of just the DAC create an issue in sound quality?

    • @williamvezina1944
      @williamvezina1944 Před rokem

      Thanks, it's exactly what I thought, however should I CHK. The DAC in my receiver with digital connect, to see what's better? The DAC in my CD player sounds really good, 1 more thing, is it worth my time to check an external DAC? Thanks

  • @jman2101
    @jman2101 Před rokem

    Awesome video!

  • @vwoeng7477
    @vwoeng7477 Před rokem

    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
      @KantoSolutions  Před rokem +1

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

  • @lasmuljadi8215
    @lasmuljadi8215 Před 2 lety +1

    Hello, im currently using kanto yu4. Im considering buy a astell kern pee51 usb c dac , is it gonna be improve the sound quality ? If so, how big the differences ? Is it gonna change the sound characteristic of my kanto yu4, because i already like the sound but want to improve the sound quality. Im using my macbook pro 16” as the source, and use apple music lossless. Thankyou

  • @Rurike
    @Rurike Před rokem

    Thanks a lot, this was a lot of help

  • @anthrax0pranav
    @anthrax0pranav Před rokem +1

    Loved your video! So when I hook up my iPhone with a lightning output to a 3.5 mm output; does the DAC reside in the converter/ adapter? And if it does, doesn’t it imply that any downstream DAC is a wasted instrument since it’s own input has already been translated a stage above? Or are you suggesting that converters can by pass the DAC capability held natively in them to downstream devices for modulation?

    • @stevenholt5484
      @stevenholt5484 Před rokem +1

      that 'lightning cable' is only used to charge the phone, it has nothing to do with a DAC. Use your bluetooth function.

  • @Sunrayman123
    @Sunrayman123 Před měsícem

    excellent primer!

  • @justme25533
    @justme25533 Před 10 měsíci +1

    You rock brother....

  • @muhammadali8105
    @muhammadali8105 Před rokem +4

    Excellent! You have a talent for explaining technology with practical application in mind. Extremely helpful.

  • @davidst4896
    @davidst4896 Před rokem +2

    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.

  • @saqibchughtai8437
    @saqibchughtai8437 Před 2 lety

    I feel enlightened

  • @alexcobb6201
    @alexcobb6201 Před rokem

    Brilliant!

  • @SacreDro
    @SacreDro Před 2 lety

    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?

  • @timschutte6924
    @timschutte6924 Před rokem

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

  • @MastrChee
    @MastrChee Před 10 měsíci +1

    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
      @KantoSolutions  Před 10 měsíci +1

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