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Dac for Computer [Sparrow, Fun, Zero] - Page 3

post #31 of 38
5/12/10 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EraserXIV View Post


The built in USB to SPDIF converter on the sparrow only supports up to 16/48 signals so when you connect it to your computer it only transports a 16/48 signal to the DAC even though the DAC can support up to 24/192. The USB is the bottleneck in this chain.

 

On the other hand, you can use an external USB to SPDIF converter which supports 24/192 and does all the USB to SPDIF converting outside of the sparrow. Then it hands the 24/192 SPDIF signal over to the DAC in the sparrow by means of optical, coaxial, or BNC. The USB port is never used.

 

For all intents and purposes, this feature probably isn't of concern for you and the majority of users. Those who care about bit-perfect audio are likely looking at much higher-end equipment anyways.


Perfectly said.

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post #32 of 38
5/12/10 at 3:59pm

What are your guys thoughts on using a NuForce uDac with a Little Dot MK III to power a Beyer DT 880 600 Ohm? Or maybe even a Woo Audio 3? I was looking at the Fun but have seen a lot of posts on how the DT 880 really works best with tubes.


Edited by sh00t4par - 5/12/10 at 9:14pm
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post #33 of 38
5/12/10 at 4:26pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoltan99 View Post

I have pretty much decided on the Audio-GD Fun basic.  But I wanted to ask, is there any reason not to upgrade to 24/192Khz capability from the 24/96Khz?  It seems to be a free upgrade, so why not right?


Definitely stick with the DIR9001.  You don't need 24/192, and probably even 24/96 is arguably pointless unless you have a very expensive rig and high-quality recordings.

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post #34 of 38
5/12/10 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoltan99 View Post

I have pretty much decided on the Audio-GD Fun basic.  But I wanted to ask, is there any reason not to upgrade to 24/192Khz capability from the 24/96Khz?  It seems to be a free upgrade, so why not right?



Do you even have any 24/96 files, let alone 24/192? ;) I've looked around at high res downloads and most are 24/96...really there's no need to go higher (some would aruge that above 16/44.1 isn't necessary either but at least 24/96 is the same as most mastering mixes before being downsampled to 16/44) The DIR9001 is technically better so I'd go with that. Don't trick yourself in to buying the 'higher number = better!' line of thinking. You won't be 'bottlenecking' anything if the source file is at a given sample rate that the DAC can convert, if you do have high res files that you want to run through USB you'll want a good USB-S/PDIF converter though.

 

If you want to geek out about things look in to some writings by Dan Lavry about digital audio conversion and sampling rates under whitepapers: http://www.lavryengineering.com/supportpage.html


Edited by MadMan007 - 5/12/10 at 11:08pm
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post #35 of 38
5/13/10 at 9:40am

Originally Posted by EraserXIV View Post

 

For all intents and purposes, this feature probably isn't of concern for you and the majority of users. Those who care about bit-perfect audio are likely looking at much higher-end equipment anyways.


Especially since 24-bit FLAC is a bit unusual, most OSes resample to 16/48 (or 16/44.1) by default as part of the software mixing, and it honestly doesn't make that much of an audible difference anyhow.

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post #36 of 38
5/15/10 at 4:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aristos_achaion View Post


The FUN and Sparrow (which are the same sonically) are the successor to the Compass, which was Audio-GD's like-a-fully-upgraded-Zero-but-higher-quality. I'd recommend an Audio-GD product over the Zero any day of the week. As for the FUN and Sparrow, the main difference appears to be footprint & flexibility. The FUN can be used as a stand-alone DAC or amp (there's an line-in and a DAC out, so you can use one or the other if that's where your upgrade path takes you), whereas the Sparrow can only be used for combined DAC/amp stuff, which kind of limits it IMHO.

 

You didn't mention what sort of amp you might be routing this DAC into. If you're looking for a combined DAC/amp, I'd recommend the FUN hands-down. However, if you have an amp already and are looking for a stand-alone DAC, you might consider something like a Musical Fidelity V-DAC (which sounds *way* better than the Compass did, and probably than the FUN does, and would be in the same price range).

Can the v dac be powered via usb, or must the ac plug be connected?
 

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post #37 of 38
5/16/10 at 5:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy*Carl View Post




It comes down to the question, do you plan on upgrading eventually?  If you want to upgrade to a dedicated DAC, you can still use the FUN as an amp.  If you want to upgrade to a dedicated amp, you can still use the FUN as a DAC.  If you don't have the urge to always upgrade and settle down with something for a while, then the sparrow is a better value.  In fact, at $125 base price, it seems like an outstanding value if you don't upgrade for a while.


I think maybe Audio-gd is shooting itself in the foot making such a low-priced product with full ACSS operation :p, one of my first thoughts listening to the sparrow was that it was something I could live with and not feel upgraditis (except for the hot treble which I hope tones down considerably with more burn-in). I think it sounds good enough that it would never be the weak link in a mid-fi setup, but it is extremely unforgiving of low-bitrate music because of its quick speed and wide soundstage, so making sure most of your music is lossless is the only caveat I can think of.for people considering a sparrow.


Edited by haloxt - 5/16/10 at 10:16am
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post #38 of 38
10/10/10 at 9:04am

I'm also looking for a DAC for my computer. I will use it with a late 2008 Unibody MacBook Pro, alternating between a pair of Westone UM3X and an old pair of full-size cans of unidentified vintage (some "SA/454").

 

The MacBook Pro supports both USB and Toslink.

 

Would the Sparrow be a good candidate?

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