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Xonar D1 vs uDAC2

post #1 of 5
12/13/10 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 

I'm going to be getting Audio Technica AD900s. I figured it's time to upgrade from onboard sound. I had my eyes set on the uDAC2, but talking with someone they said to avoid USB powered DAC/Amps if you are using a desktop. According to him, the Xonar D1 is an amp/DAC, and would be a much better option than the uDAC2. Thoughts?

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post #2 of 5
12/14/10 at 12:05am

If all you want is sound quality then go with the UDAC2, I do not own it, but I'm using a 160USD DAC/amp combo that I normally run on USB power only (it can use external power) and the sound quality beats the Xonar DX by a fair margin. From ppl's impression of the UDAC2, I think it's no slouch either.

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post #3 of 5
12/14/10 at 6:01am

Any more oppinions on this? I'm also looking at the Xonar vs. a external dac at the moment.

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post #4 of 5
12/14/10 at 10:50am

Personally, I have been finding my E7 DAC/Amp to output higher sound quality than my Xonar D1.

But if you want features like custom EQ, and other features, get the sound card.

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post #5 of 5
12/14/10 at 1:35pm

I'm in the same boat. I've been bouncing back a forth between getting the Xonar or the uDAC-2, but I think I like the uDAC-2 for the external volume controls.

 

I've been looking at the uDAC-2, but I had a question. Does the external volume knob on the uDAC-2 control Windows audio or does it operate independently from your computer's audio controls? Are usb DACs more apt to control Windows audio?

 

I have a Creative  Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 External Soundcard, and I was under the impression that this would work the same as something like the uDAC-2, however its volume knob controls Windows audio. I feel as if the volume my headphones are outputting are too limited by this external soundcard. Is it because it doesn't have a built in headphone amp like the uDAC-2?

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