Matt,
Being a 'math guy' I hope this makes sense to you.
It pushes my boundaries (grin)

DACs often have internal clocks/methods that can handle any jitters in time code better.
This is just one aspect where 'enhancement' isn't needed, just accuracy.
Some DAC units may discard info, some may adjust the info, some may do nothing in this regard, but there is always an AD/DA conversion taking place when using digital audio.
Where/when that happens and using which equipment to do so always makes a difference.

That's the only way I could explain the difference using science (or math) with my meager understanding.

Some sound cards use their own clocks to handle this jitter, some use the system clock, but many DACs excel at the actual reading of the audio data to real time conversion either way, so the audio signal that gets sent to the monitors (or computer) is not as jittery (is that even a word?).

I'm not really qualified to explain 'how' it happens, but I know I can hear it. The above info simply explains how *I* have come to think of it.
So even on a perfectly flat system it can still sound better, yet still be true.

No citation comes to mind offhand, so take with a grain of salt.



Last edited by rharv; 09/07/18 02:33 PM.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome