Help with understanding DAC filter settings

[simon g]

OK, so got a new DAC, an Exposure 2010S2.

Selectable filters are part of the spec. Now, clearly I can just listen and decide which I prefer, but I would like a (simple!) explanation of what they mean. They are:

Linear phase half band filter

Minimum phase "soft knee" filter

Minimum phase half band filter

Linear phase apodising filter

Minimum phase apodising filter

Can anyone knowledgeable elucidate?

 

[vacdac]

Shame they didn't also include 'knuckle shuffle' & 'general pandering to those who like ter Fanny abooot' filters too Simon.

Still if you can be arsed...... I'm sure someone will be along to offer some easy ter grasp technical explanations.

Once you are clear on how these may effect the SQ....you may find it an interesting diversion to do some A/B'ing & reach some conclusions yourself. Most peeps seem to find that using such filters are at best subtle in their effect. Maybe if you are prepared to try this, it could be a good idea to try this in the evening when environmental/background hash/noise is at its lowest. Does this Dac allow you to invert absolute phase too?? That could give you further permutations to play with. :^

I've had a fair bit of experimentation in t' past but have generally ended up back where I've started with the 'linear' filter setting. Maybe once I'm more on top of my Vinyl Archival mission (nearly at t' last gasp now:roll I'll have a little play again & include high rez as well as red book stuff.

 

[myrman]

Isn't all this stuff explained in the manual?

 

[simon g]

Isn't all this stuff explained in the manual?

No. It's just a basic operations sheet. If it were there, then I wouldn't need to ask, would I?

I'll go do some research for myself.

 

[NAM]

The Cambridge audio dacmagic had similar filters and the manual for that (downloadable as pdf from their site) explains their relative merits in lay terms. They differ in terms of phase and frequency linearity as far as I remember.

 

[myrman]

No. It's just a basic operations sheet. If it were there, then I wouldn't need to ask, would I?I'll go do some research for myself.

I'm surprised by that. They only seem to have a quickstart guide on their website. I would have thought it makes good sense to fully explain a products features to the consumer.

 

[Pete the Feet]

Once you have read or been told what effect the filters have on the sound then you may here it. Otherwise you will not notice it.

 

[Purite Audio]

If they change the FR you might hear a small difference ,

Keith.

 

[Petrat]

'Linear phase apodising' is the best.

I am a very clever rat, so just take my word for it, set it to that, and get on with the rest of your life.

Problem solved. No more option-anxiety.

 

[MJ.]

:^ Very well said clever Mr Rat; I concur.

 

[Pete the Feet]

Mr Rat is no Dumbo then [Only Mr Rat will understand this comment]

 

[arturo]

Pretty sure I can hear no difference between filters on my M-DAC, plenty of others claim they can, however.