Regarding DAC filters
I’ve been thinking about this a lot the last few days. A little bit of curiosity, a little bit of OCD (desire to know I’m using the best possible settings).
Before it was the type of thing I would just leave alone; whatever the device default setting was I would just use, and it still is that way. But I got into reading about it more and I have to ask, is that not always the best choice?
One of the things I’ve come to understand is that, in reality, the DAC filter you choose shouldn’t make an audible difference unless you use something like super slow roll-off or something. And this is probably why I’ve ignored it for so long.
I noticed that my Topping E50 (ESS chip) DAC’s default filter is Linear Sharp/Fast Roll-Off. I’ve also read that, technically, linear sharp is the most accurate and true to the source. However, my FiiO M11 Pro’s (AKM chip) default is Short Delay (aka minimum phase) Sharp roll-off.
If the technically right one is linear, then why would minimum phase be the default choice on the FiiO?
Is there some sort of science behind different DAC chips performing better with different filters? Is it down to just the implementation of the DAC by the manufacturer or their choice in what they think the best setting should be?
Would the ideal choice be just to use their default setting, or always use Linear Sharp roll-off? Is there any sort of discernible sonic difference?