Definition: When audio becomes digital, it goes through an analog-to-digital converter. This is either an external unit, or a built-in chip in most digital equipment. However, on the way back out of the digital domain, the audio signal must go from digital representations to their actual analog selves.
That process goes through a digital-to-analog converter, or DAC. DAC quality varies by unit, but most high-end studios will use a specific DAC to give a certain sound quality to their work. In fact, many high-end personal listening systems include an external DAC to make their playback sound as clean as possible.
Poor D/A conversion results in a less detailed image with much more distortion and a skewed frequency response compared to the original source. A high-end D/A presents a clean, accurate, well-imaged version of the original.
That process goes through a digital-to-analog converter, or DAC. DAC quality varies by unit, but most high-end studios will use a specific DAC to give a certain sound quality to their work. In fact, many high-end personal listening systems include an external DAC to make their playback sound as clean as possible.
Poor D/A conversion results in a less detailed image with much more distortion and a skewed frequency response compared to the original source. A high-end D/A presents a clean, accurate, well-imaged version of the original.
Also Known As: DAC, D/A converter
Alternate Spellings: digital-to-analogue
Common Misspellings: A/D
