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

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  • Опубліковано 31 тра 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
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 353

  • @galan7337
    @galan7337 Місяць тому +5

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

  • @cityofangels11
    @cityofangels11 Рік тому +30

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

  • @rolocaranti
    @rolocaranti 2 роки тому +18

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

  • @papes_
    @papes_ Рік тому +10

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

  • @ivanp8570
    @ivanp8570 Рік тому +4

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

  • @MarcusDolby
    @MarcusDolby 14 днів тому +1

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

  • @alejandroprc
    @alejandroprc Рік тому +3

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

  • @Sarge_72
    @Sarge_72 Рік тому +3

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

  • @andrewoutside2073
    @andrewoutside2073 Місяць тому

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

  • @GregSchmidt711
    @GregSchmidt711 Рік тому +3

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

  • @mystifyingentity
    @mystifyingentity Рік тому +1

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

  • @Doogle136
    @Doogle136 Рік тому +1

    Really valuable clarification, Jason. Thanks!

  • @d1piper
    @d1piper 2 роки тому +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 Рік тому +4

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

    • @rattledroar2426
      @rattledroar2426 8 місяців тому

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

    • @yodigak8810
      @yodigak8810 8 місяців тому

      Solution: buy the first one you saw

    • @TrevorDodd-ev1sx
      @TrevorDodd-ev1sx 6 місяців тому

      That's where i am right now.

    • @user-oh6ev7mj5q
      @user-oh6ev7mj5q 20 днів тому

      @@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?!

  • @E2rdzik
    @E2rdzik Рік тому +1

    That was impeccably clear. Thank you!

  • @andresilveira9552
    @andresilveira9552 Рік тому

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

  • @thomasreuter1968
    @thomasreuter1968 Рік тому +1

    Very clear explanations that are very helpful! Thx!

  • @rickkolb6758
    @rickkolb6758 2 роки тому +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!

  • @martinmullen71
    @martinmullen71 2 роки тому +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.

  • @h_a.na.
    @h_a.na. Місяць тому

    This is the most clear explanation!

  • @johnnysutherland5717
    @johnnysutherland5717 3 місяці тому

    Excellent video - I get it now. Thank you!

  • @Jack-um5ii
    @Jack-um5ii 2 роки тому

    Thank you Jason this was very helpful

  • @michaelthompson9798
    @michaelthompson9798 2 роки тому +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 🥰🥰👍🎉

  • @tomelew8465
    @tomelew8465 Рік тому

    Phenomenal video! Thanks.

  • @joegallagher6461
    @joegallagher6461 2 роки тому

    Thank you for being the helpful friendly anonymous audio nerd!

  • @georgieo.5190
    @georgieo.5190 Рік тому +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 :)

  • @BobYau
    @BobYau Рік тому +4

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

  • @clearskyy
    @clearskyy Рік тому

    Thank you for explaining this

  • @diceman68692
    @diceman68692 2 місяці тому

    Wonderful explanation. Well done.

  • @marvinkentvillamor1570
    @marvinkentvillamor1570 2 роки тому +3

    Nice! Informative and easy to digest.

  • @victoryvisiontour
    @victoryvisiontour 2 місяці тому

    That was a really clear explanation. Thank you.

  • @tedroybal5231
    @tedroybal5231 4 місяці тому

    Awesome content. Thank you

  • @odebroqueville
    @odebroqueville Місяць тому

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

  • @JulianAbreu
    @JulianAbreu Рік тому

    such perfect video, thank you

  • @ChrisTopheRaz
    @ChrisTopheRaz Рік тому

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

  • @mohammedalomari1998
    @mohammedalomari1998 3 місяці тому +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

  • @jayd2204
    @jayd2204 10 місяців тому +1

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

  • @ecobuilder508
    @ecobuilder508 Рік тому

    Excellent presentation caused me to subscribe to enjoy future segments

  • @fabricefleck5409
    @fabricefleck5409 Рік тому

    Very good explanation!

  • @TheEnglishRedneck45
    @TheEnglishRedneck45 2 роки тому +1

    Extremely useful and very clearly explained too

  • @alexistruong3123
    @alexistruong3123 Рік тому +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

  • @TheDoobree
    @TheDoobree 7 місяців тому +1

    Genius video, thx!

  • @TRANCERwin
    @TRANCERwin Рік тому

    Im enlightened right now, thanks for the knowledge (:

  • @sabaliovercome
    @sabaliovercome 2 роки тому

    Great presentation. The more you know about audio..

  • @odessa69max
    @odessa69max Рік тому

    Best DAC explanation

  • @quitmanlott7394
    @quitmanlott7394 4 місяці тому +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.

  • @thewillsfamilyaccount6486
    @thewillsfamilyaccount6486 Рік тому

    Nicely explained.. thank you..

  • @ud1235
    @ud1235 26 днів тому

    Awesome trainer for layman!

  • @mlbeaumont
    @mlbeaumont Рік тому

    Loved this thanks

  • @guitarhero9592
    @guitarhero9592 Рік тому

    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.

  • @glennberg8300
    @glennberg8300 10 місяців тому +1

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

  • @V1RU5Zuk
    @V1RU5Zuk 11 місяців тому

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

  • @sudhirsimson3340
    @sudhirsimson3340 2 роки тому

    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).

  • @mrronenza
    @mrronenza Рік тому

    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

  • @katerinaplockova6092
    @katerinaplockova6092 Рік тому

    this is very well explained

  • @TheAkagai
    @TheAkagai 3 місяці тому

    Good job.
    Even Eye could understand it.

  • @jman2101
    @jman2101 Рік тому

    Awesome video!

  • @Arthax83
    @Arthax83 Рік тому

    Finally I understad this! Thank you Jason!

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak 6 місяців тому

      I do not think you have understood anything at all!

    • @Arthax83
      @Arthax83 6 місяців тому

      ​@@GeirRssaakhow so?

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak 6 місяців тому

      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!

  • @ndavies8
    @ndavies8 2 роки тому

    Excellent explanation

  • @Lou.B
    @Lou.B Рік тому

    Excellent!!!

  • @swamysasi9296
    @swamysasi9296 2 роки тому +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

  • @Manjiss92
    @Manjiss92 4 місяці тому

    Thank you so much, this was super clear!

  • @dragonstone6594
    @dragonstone6594 7 місяців тому +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.

  • @TheMmvukici
    @TheMmvukici Рік тому

    this video was so helpful thank you.

  • @MusicConnoisseurian
    @MusicConnoisseurian 2 роки тому

    Finally. Great explanation.

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak 6 місяців тому

      No, this was a stupid explanation!

  • @Sunrayman123
    @Sunrayman123 Місяць тому

    excellent primer!

  • @JohnW118
    @JohnW118 6 місяців тому +1

    excellent analogies and description.

  • @ThunderKat
    @ThunderKat Рік тому +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.

  • @RecktalBear
    @RecktalBear 2 роки тому

    Dude, thank you so much!

  • @RdandTrk1
    @RdandTrk1 2 роки тому

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

  • @pa1
    @pa1 Рік тому

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

  • @jselt53
    @jselt53 2 роки тому

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

  • @muhammadali8105
    @muhammadali8105 Рік тому +4

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

  • @Rurike
    @Rurike Рік тому

    Thanks a lot, this was a lot of help

  • @aoyukialquen2835
    @aoyukialquen2835 7 місяців тому +1

    thank you man, i love ur clear explanation

  • @sammassam100
    @sammassam100 2 роки тому

    i liked it for its simple non dramatic presentation.

  • @dreamfunction4491
    @dreamfunction4491 Рік тому

    Very well done sir.

  • @davesway1170
    @davesway1170 5 місяців тому

    Great video

  • @TheJohnam
    @TheJohnam 2 роки тому

    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!

  • @keyemup
    @keyemup 3 місяці тому +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!

  • @atuane7003
    @atuane7003 23 дні тому

    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?

  • @omerktee9261
    @omerktee9261 Рік тому

    Thank you.

  • @JohnnyTheDoe
    @JohnnyTheDoe 2 місяці тому

    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.

  • @OG_Greg
    @OG_Greg Рік тому

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

  • @danielshaun3429
    @danielshaun3429 Рік тому

    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?

  • @Otang6
    @Otang6 2 роки тому

    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

  • @volleyballvideos6426
    @volleyballvideos6426 2 роки тому +2

    DAC was an amazing video! ;-) Thanks!

  • @neil222222
    @neil222222 Рік тому

    Very good

  • @saqibchughtai8437
    @saqibchughtai8437 2 роки тому

    I feel enlightened

  • @alexcobb6201
    @alexcobb6201 Рік тому

    Brilliant!

  • @lasmuljadi8215
    @lasmuljadi8215 2 роки тому +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

  • @sawsaw7
    @sawsaw7 2 роки тому +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 Рік тому +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 7 місяців тому

      ​@@MrNobody-zx4jzme too😬😬😬

    • @iikatinggangsengii2471
      @iikatinggangsengii2471 6 місяців тому

      it was a guess, i know nothing abt their sound

    • @GeirRssaak
      @GeirRssaak 6 місяців тому

      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!

  • @BennyCFD
    @BennyCFD Рік тому +1

    Unless you're going from an analog source phonograph, microphones etc thru an analog amplifier no DAC is needed, but all output from any digital device always goes thru a built in DAC, that's why you can directly hook up ear/headphones without an external DAC.

  • @oki1966
    @oki1966 21 день тому

    You should be an instructor. Awesome explanation.

  • @justme25533
    @justme25533 10 місяців тому +1

    You rock brother....

  • @SacreDro
    @SacreDro 2 роки тому

    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?

  • @kevinansell9341
    @kevinansell9341 Рік тому

    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..

  • @frankhugh2052
    @frankhugh2052 4 місяці тому +1

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

  • @RogueVisionary
    @RogueVisionary 2 місяці тому +1

    So I guess I'm still a bit confused, which may have to do with my specific issue. My phone doesn't seem to support 32bits, but my headphones do, and I was hoping an external DAC would help with reaching that max potential. What can be recommended in this scenario and which DACs do you think I should consider?

  • @kevinb3812
    @kevinb3812 Рік тому

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

  • @saneshgobin4259
    @saneshgobin4259 3 місяці тому

    So I have dongle DAC (Sound blaster Play 4) attached to my pc via usb because the internal line out/ headphone port is not working. I bought a cheap 2.1 system with included amplifier ( Microlab fc360). It only takes line input or rca. Will it cause any problems with the DAC or Amp if I connect the dongle DAC to the Microlab line input? thanks in advance.