Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago

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I compare a cheap DAC with an expensive alternative, with audio examples and downloads. Can *you* hear the difference? Is the huge difference in cost worth the money?

RESULTS HERE - youtu.be/5lUQdW-0V40

DOWNLOAD LINK
drive.google.com/file/d/1YSxja6v9pwlOlv3AKN7dDRqQtsJ7c1X8/view?usp=sharing

AUTOMATED TEST
Audio Masterclass viewer Gonzalo Piano from Uruguay has made an automated version of this test. You will need to use Chrome browser. Since other than providing the files I had nothing to do with this test, I can't offer any assistance or answer any questions about it. You can find it at abxtests.com/?test=https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/jv7hejrn3vq5rqky0h6wr/amtest.yaml?rlkey=sd9ck9wzitoom0xr6k8tx4nga&st=w609rtfp&dl=0

LINKS
Douk K5 - doukaudio.com/products/douk-audio-k5-usb-dac-headphone-amplifier-opt-digital-to-analog-converter-dsd256
iFi Valkyrie - ifi-audio.com/products/idsd-valkyrie?sca_ref=9653761.16rcNnF5QGh

PURCHASE LINKS
Douk K5 - amzn.to/4mv61CV
iFi Valkyrie - amzn.to/4mZUz1M

CREDITS
Drums - Joe Clancy joeclancydrumsandaudioproductions.com
Vocal - Chilli Gold google.com/search?q=Chilli+Gold+British+country+singer (search link) Song - 'Mend' © David Mellor
Acoustic and electric guitars - Mick Hutchings mickhutchings.co.uk
Piano - Chris Franklin franklinandbell.com

CHAPTERS

0:00 What's this all about?
1:37 Limitations
3:09 The DACs
4:08 More accurate, or more betterer?
4:50 The test
6:28 DAC A
9:07 DAC B
11:46 DAC X
14:35 Something strange
15:49 What do *you* think?

EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE AUDIO MASTERCLASS VIDEOS

CAMERA - Sony Alpha A6600 amzn.to/3uj7Dtq
COMPUTER - Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro amzn.to/47tW6Wg

MICROPHONE - Sennheiser MKH 416 amzn.to/3QWWvuO
ALTERNATIVE MICROPHONE - AKG C414 amzn.to/3SLqCad
BUDGET MICROPHONE CHOICE - Rode shotgun amzn.to/3G0ni36
MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER - Comica LinkFlex AD2 amzn.to/40SMHFT

TELEPROMPTER - Padcaster Parrot alternatives amzn.to/40A55TJ
TELEPROMPTER SOFTWARE - PromptSmart Pro promptsmart.com

AUDIO INTERFACE - Behringer UMC202HD amzn.to/3ugj6db
HEADPHONES - Sony wired amzn.to/3sEjlht
SPEAKER CABLE - KabelDirekt amzn.to/3ucgQ6T
POWER AMPLIFIER - Fosi V3 amzn.to/3vRumNH

KEYLIGHT- Amaran 100d amzn.to/40A5Gor
FILL LIGHTS - Switti RGB amzn.to/3ufhOPu
SOFTBOX Phot-R alternatives amzn.to/3QGoTjJ
LIGHTING STANDS Phot-R alternatives amzn.to/3QWXOKe
MONITOR - Samsung UJ59 amzn.to/3MEoBsk
MONITOR ARM - Invision alternatives amzn.to/40SLqi5
MIC ARM - Yellowtech M!ka (10% discount) - shop.yellowtec.com/discount/AUDIO-DAVID
TRIPOD - Velbon alternatives amzn.to/46gu2oa

GREEN SCREEN - Elgato alternatives amzn.to/3SG2F3L
DESK - FlexiSpot E7 Pro amzn.to/3QVIWvS
ERGONOMIC CHAIR - FlexiSpot C7 Air Pro flexispot.com/flexispot-best-ergonomic-office-chair-c7

VIDEO EDITING - Apple Final Cut Pro apple.com/final-cut-pro
IMAGE EDITING - Adobe Photoshop amzn.to/3FZ7Ww0
AUDIO EDITING - Avid Pro Tools amzn.to/3QA5Wz7

NOTEBOOK - Leuchturm 1917 hardback amzn.to/47zonKX
PEN - Sakura Pigma archival pen Sakura Pigma archival pen amzn.to/47zz3cP
OSCILLOSCOPE - Hameg HM 203 alternatives amzn.to/47tWN1O
GROOMING - Philips 3000 nose hair trimmer amzn.to/40BdLJo
GROOMING - Nose plier amzn.to/41IOZaR
HAIR COLOUR - Just For Men amzn.to/475OgS1
HAIR CONDITIONER - TRESemmé Silky & Smooth amzn.to/41AdWFd
OPTICAL AID - tigerspecs.co.uk/item/jelli-multi-coloured-reading-glasses

Disclaimer: Videos on this channel may include affiliate links and may feature software that has been received free of charge with an NFR (not for resale) licence, equipment that has been loaned or donated by a manufacturer or distributer, or equipment that has been bought for less than full retail price.