Stop the insanity.... LG's dedicated DAC's audio simply rules!!

[Mike Dee]

I don't care how you slice it and dice it, but with few exceptions LG dedicated DAC audio just rules. Sure there are one or two competing brands with dedicated Dacs that offer stiff competition and can arguably best LG, but let's get it straight.... Standard audio through a Built in processor is no match and it's like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
If I had to draw a comparison by virtue of using fine wine the rest are simply swill. Now I'm not suggesting everyone needs or wants that level of detail in their audio experience but until you've made a direct comparison you are not qualified to discuss the subject or you simply just don't care enough about your audio experience. You don't have to be an audiophile to notice the difference.... You just have to be willing to listen.

 

[Aquila]

I agree and disagree. The LG DAC's are awesome and AFAIK they're the best available on a flagship level device. But the rest are hardly "swill". I don't want to detract for LG here. They did bring the noise in exactly the way that we were all sort of expecting HTC to do when they instead just crapped the bed last year and started doing whatever it was that they did instead, letting ZTE release the device we sort of expected the HTC 10 to be. I'm very happy that the industry is starting to refine what is offered in these devices. HiFI audio, HDR displays, microphones capable of capturing great sound, etc, etc. LG is leading the pack right now, but I would caution them getting too comfortable. The codecs built into Qualcomm processors right now are pretty damn decent (obviously not the same calibur) but just as we saw with Samsung and displays, that gap can be narrowed much quicker than we think it can. Vigilance and innovation are always required.

 

[Mike Dee]

I agree and disagree. The LG DAC's are awesome and AFAIK they're the best available on a flagship level device. But the rest are hardly "swill". I don't want to detract for LG here. They did bring the noise in exactly the way that we were all sort of expecting HTC to do when they instead just crapped the bed last year and started doing whatever it was that they did instead, letting ZTE release the device we sort of expected the HTC 10 to be. I'm very happy that the industry is starting to refine what is offered in these devices. HiFI audio, HDR displays, microphones capable of capturing great sound, etc, etc. LG is leading the pack right now, but I would caution them getting too comfortable. The codecs built into Qualcomm processors right now are pretty damn decent (obviously not the same calibur) but just as we saw with Samsung and displays, that gap can be narrowed much quicker than we think it can. Vigilance and innovation are always required.

Your commentary is always appreciated and respected by me because it comes from an intellectual perspective. I agree and disagree back at you.

 

[ffejjj]

I don't care how you slice it and dice it, but with few exceptions LG dedicated DAC audio just rules. Sure there are one or two competing brands with dedicated Dacs that offer stiff competition and can arguably best LG, but let's get it straight.... Standard audio through a Built in processor is no match and it's like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
If I had to draw a comparison by virtue of using fine wine the rest are simply swill. Now I'm not suggesting everyone needs or wants that level of detail in their audio experience but until you've made a direct comparison you are not qualified to discuss the subject or you simply just don't care enough about your audio experience. You don't have to be an audiophile to notice the difference.... You just have to be willing to listen.

So I'm guessing you're happy about the DAC. I remember you saying that could be a deal breaker for you if they removed it.

 

[Aquila]

Fine, the rest are swill. lol

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I lived with audiophiles who produce music, I can recognize and appreciate good audio, but it's not enough to pull me towards and LG.

 

[Mike Dee]

So I'm guessing you're happy about the DAC. I remember you saying that could be a deal breaker for you if they removed it.

The DAC being included is not new news. The statement I made stands, however any doubt of it being included was purely based on other's doubts.

 

[Mike Dee]

I lived with audiophiles who produce music, I can recognize and appreciate good audio, but it's not enough to pull me towards and LG.

That's OK

 

[ffejjj]

The DAC being included is not new news. The statement I made stands, however any doubt of it being included was purely based on other's doubts.

Yeah it's not as important to me but I'd much rather have features than have them omitted.

I'm really liking what I'm seeing so far.

 

[Almeuit]

You're crazy, Mike! Crazy I tell ya!

.

 

[chanchan05]

I am not sure DAC would matter if you are using Bluetooth headsets though. Correct me if I'm wrong. Honestly I'm thinking Samsung is just fleshing out the Level brand before it goes no audio jack too. I mean in Asian countries they've alreaded started bundling Level U's with J series, possibly to see if it's feasible from a financial standpoint.

In the future we could be seeing the S and Note line bundled with Level U's or Level Actives.

If Samsung dumps the jack, LG and HTC will likely follow soon.

 

[JkdJedi]

I'm stoked about the new DAC as well and I'm understanding it can process MQA recordings....insane. Got Tidal? I have a decent small headphone collection, Phillips X2, AT-M50, and soon to own Senheiser H650 all played through my iFi Black Label idsd amp, and being able to use a nice IEM (in ear monitor) with the smooth LG dac just compliments my listening experience, as a whole, I'm one happy camper.

 

[flyingkytez]

I don't care how you slice it and dice it, but with few exceptions LG dedicated DAC audio just rules. Sure there are one or two competing brands with dedicated Dacs that offer stiff competition and can arguably best LG, but let's get it straight.... Standard audio through a Built in processor is no match and it's like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
If I had to draw a comparison by virtue of using fine wine the rest are simply swill. Now I'm not suggesting everyone needs or wants that level of detail in their audio experience but until you've made a direct comparison you are not qualified to discuss the subject or you simply just don't care enough about your audio experience. You don't have to be an audiophile to notice the difference.... You just have to be willing to listen.

First thing I noticed when I got the V20 (coming from the S7) was the audio quality difference. Much more clarity and it blows away any media player I've ever owned. You really gotta listen to it to know. If I switched back, I would be disappointed because I'm already used to the high quality audio experience. Screw Bluetooth, it'll never deliver the powerful sound of the AUX! USB C audio will never be universal and replace the audio jack. LG did things right and I like where they are heading.

 

[flyingkytez]

I am not sure DAC would matter if you are using Bluetooth headsets though. Correct me if I'm wrong. Honestly I'm thinking Samsung is just fleshing out the Level brand before it goes no audio jack too. I mean in Asian countries they've alreaded started bundling Level U's with J series, possibly to see if it's feasible from a financial standpoint.

In the future we could be seeing the S and Note line bundled with Level U's or Level Actives.

If Samsung dumps the jack, LG and HTC will likely follow soon.

HTC already has. I don't know about Samsung doing it anytime soon, it would really crush the fans. They already had a huge backlash for removing the MicroSD (they then brought it back).

 

[shaimere]

You're crazy, Mike! Crazy I tell ya!

.

 

[flyingkytez]

I agree and disagree. The LG DAC's are awesome and AFAIK they're the best available on a flagship level device. But the rest are hardly "swill". I don't want to detract for LG here. They did bring the noise in exactly the way that we were all sort of expecting HTC to do when they instead just crapped the bed last year and started doing whatever it was that they did instead, letting ZTE release the device we sort of expected the HTC 10 to be. I'm very happy that the industry is starting to refine what is offered in these devices. HiFI audio, HDR displays, microphones capable of capturing great sound, etc, etc. LG is leading the pack right now, but I would caution them getting too comfortable. The codecs built into Qualcomm processors right now are pretty damn decent (obviously not the same calibur) but just as we saw with Samsung and displays, that gap can be narrowed much quicker than we think it can. Vigilance and innovation are always required.

I've listened to the S8 audio and then the LGV20. You can tell the difference. Oh yeah and the loudspeaker on the S8 is terrible.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I have a standalone DAC (FiiO Q1), which I've used on other phones to drive my high impedance Sony MDR-7506 headphones. The built-in DAC on my V20 drives my headphones and sounds better than the FiiO Q1 did on other phones.

 

[VoodooMagnetman]

I wasn't sure if I was going to upgrade the V20 to the V30, but maybe I might ask Santa for the V30 for Xmas this year. I hope the upgraded DAC is killer. Can't wait to hear about everyones experience with the new V30 once it is released.

 

[Mike Dee]

I am not sure DAC would matter if you are using Bluetooth headsets though. Correct me if I'm wrong. Honestly I'm thinking Samsung is just fleshing out the Level brand before it goes no audio jack too. I mean in Asian countries they've alreaded started bundling Level U's with J series, possibly to see if it's feasible from a financial standpoint.

In the future we could be seeing the S and Note line bundled with Level U's or Level Actives.

If Samsung dumps the jack, LG and HTC will likely follow soon.

Correct... The Bluetooth signal is decoded by the receiving device. Eliminating the headphone does not eliminate wired headphones.... Just means the audio is routed through the USB port.

 

[Mike Dee]

I wasn't sure if I was going to upgrade the V20 to the V30, but maybe I might ask Santa for the V30 for Xmas this year. I hope the upgraded DAC is killer. Can't wait to hear about everyones experience with the new V30 once it is released.

The audio on the V20 is already spectacular.... If the V30 is improved as they say I hope my ears can tell.