[Andrew Haley]

Audio_Empire wrote:

I agree that all modern DACs sound acceptable, but differences in
imaging, bottom-end performance and even top-end performance do
exist and will only show up on a DBT when the system used for the
DBT is of sufficient resolving power to highlight these aspects of
performance. Otherwise, they go by unnoticed and leave the test
participants with the incorrect conclusion that everything sounds
the same.

Of course you have to partner the DAC with high-quality components for
any test. But without the DBT, the test participants will be left
with the incorrect conclusion that the units sound different. Better
still, your claim that some system has better "resolving power" can be
tested with a DBT. (With proper blinding, statistical controls, etc.
This should go without saying, but often needs to be repeated.)

Andrew.