Its been shown time after time using proper ABX testing that you can not hear a difference between DACs...

the only exception is with older low quality DACs that suffered from 'clock jitter'

 

^^that I remember, I had a Sanyo cd player in 1986 that was just horrible for jitter...but these days, even the cheapo Malta (I think that's the name, Future Shop use to carry them for 40.00) sound as good as the next. That thing plays every format possible except dvd-a and sacd. It doesn't even advertise it can, but it does. My brother's been using it for 3 years now with no problems. I don't know, sometimes I think we're getting hosed by the manufacturers for all these supposed improvements.

 

since we're on the topic. Has anyone won a major SQ competition using 1 bit players recently? I'm guessing probably not, since most would feel disadvantaged even using one and wouldn't bother installing it in their system.

 

I did very well in Iasca with an RFX-8240 (denford) which has a 1 bit dac... one of the best CD players I've ever heard.

 

I am sure there are improvements that can be measured. However, the ear isnt as precise a tool and can only notice differences to a certain point.

 

case and point...... in the 05 season i competed in over 15 sound off in iasca and usaci.. with the new jvc t.v. din head unit..... and every judge told me that my system was awsome but limited by the head unit...... wtf... any way i decided to change out my head unit for a denford 8250 but changed nothing eles and guess what...................ya those same judges couldnt belive the sound quality difference..... so just on the "face value" of dumping jvc to denford was worth the money..... but really was the sound different........ i dont think so......... but if the judges feel that it will make a difference then,,,,,,,,,,,, well,,,,,,,,,,,, then we change things.....

 

I just bought a RFX 8240, but I havent installed it yet, due to lack of a good amp. Just seeing what others say about it makes me happy that I have it and I cant wait till it finally goes in

 

This is the point that Richard clark was making. If you remove all the personal preference and prejudice for the equipment, you're strictly left with performance...and so far there isn't enough of a difference to be heard. I wonder if you were able to use your JVC secretly, and leave your RF in place if that would have affected your score???

 

That JVC was damned fugly man... I definitely would take off install points just cuz it was in the car

 

I really dont think it makes a difference, if its directly one to one comparison. I think 24-bit processors tend to be in higher end units, which probably utilize better other internal components as well. So, its probably the combination of good parts, which make a good sounding head unit.