Digital music comes from various sources, such as streaming from the internet, your storage device, a CD, or even your Cable TV. However, they must all be connected to a DAC (Digital/Analog Converter) to play through your stereo system. These devices come in different sizes and shapes, and each has a specification page often filled with technical jargon. While these specifications are interesting, they only tell part of the story, especially regarding sound quality. Despite being called a Digital/Analog Converter, a DAC is primarily an analog device. It converts digital data into analog signals that are sent to the preamplifier. The quality of the conversion and how well the analog signal is created and transmitted differentiate DAC makers, but this information is not always reflected in the spec sheet. In short, if a builder cuts corners while making a DAC, then the specifications are meaningless. The sound quality will suffer, and it will be evident that the manufacturer has designed a DAC to specifications rather than for the quality of the sound it outputs. Therefore, investing in a DAC with proper power supplies and analog conversion can produce excellent results. Essentially, there is nothing "binary" about DACs. They all sound different and cater to specific markets.