Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Inexpensive USB dac + headphone amp
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Inexpensive USB dac + headphone amp

post #1 of 19
5/20/11 at 9:47am
Thread Starter 

I am looking into getting a USB dac + amp for my laptop in the office, something small and inexpensive that is better than the crappy integrated audio..

 

I was looking at the Nuforce uDAC-2 HP for $100, is that the best device in this price range? I'm open to recommendations but I would like to keep the price low, less than $200.

 

Thanks

Reply
post #2 of 19
5/20/11 at 11:53am

An emu 0404 would be a much better option, the udac-2 measures awfully and has some serious issues with channel imbalance.

The behringer uca202 would also be a better option.

Reply
post #3 of 19
5/20/11 at 2:14pm

The Audinst MX-1 would be worth looking into (approx 180 USD)

Reply
post #4 of 19
5/20/11 at 8:50pm

Fiio E7

Reply
post #5 of 19
5/20/11 at 9:00pm

I recently bought the FiiO E7 off of Amazon, I plan on getting the E9 as well.

Reply
post #6 of 19
5/21/11 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmccabe View Post

An emu 0404 would be a much better option, the udac-2 measures awfully and has some serious issues with channel imbalance.

The behringer uca202 would also be a better option.


Is the uca202 really as good as some people claim? It seems so cheap, almost too cheap to be good lol

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bop View Post

The Audinst MX-1 would be worth looking into (approx 180 USD)


 

I would prefer self powered USB for portability

 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by calipilot227 View Post

Fiio E7



I was reading that this one was the only one with digital volume control... which is interesting because analog pots can get dirty and scratch with time. Thanks for the suggestion!

Reply
post #7 of 19
5/21/11 at 9:05am
Quote:

[...]

I would prefer self powered USB for portability

[...]


For the Audinst, you can power it either through USB alone or with the provided power supply.

Links of Reviews:

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/484235/review-audinst-hud-mx1-usb-dac-amp

http://www.headfonia.com/audinst-hud-mx1-dac/

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/484163/review-audinst-hud-mx1-dac-amp-a-promising-newcomer-compared-to-audio-gd-fun-amb-gamma2

 

 

Reply
post #8 of 19
5/21/11 at 10:20am

Also, with the digital volume control on the E7, there's no channel imbalance at any volume level.

Reply
post #9 of 19
5/21/11 at 11:06am

mdac5 is very good

Reply
post #10 of 19
5/21/11 at 11:19am

The uca202 measures a lot better than almost all dac's under $100.

It truly is an amazing product and it also has a fairly powerful headphone amplifier to boot.

I suggest you attempt some blind tests between a few sources if possible and if you can't hear much of a difference get the uca202.

Reply
post #11 of 19
5/21/11 at 11:29am

What are your headphones?

 

The UCA202 is a great DAC, but geared mainly towards speakers.

It's not recommended for low impedance cans (especially balanced armature IEMs), because it's headphone output has a high ~50ohms impedance. It may cause audible frequency response fluctuations with these cans.

Reply
post #12 of 19
5/21/11 at 11:54am

Yes, but you could add a fiio e5 or cmoy to the pre-amp out and this would solve the problem.

Or tou could buy an emu 0202 or 0404, as these both have decent headphone amplifiers and measure very well.

Reply
post #13 of 19
5/21/11 at 5:03pm

HI this is only my second post I was wondering if anyone has experience using a fiio e5 to drive headphones from the line level of a uca202. Like the poster above mentioned.

Reply
post #14 of 19
5/21/11 at 5:12pm

Yes I have it sounds great and is a nice cheap easy solution.

Reply
post #15 of 19
5/21/11 at 5:52pm

I don't know why anyone would get something other than an E-MU 0204 or 0404 USB for under $200.  

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Computer Audio
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Computer Audio › Inexpensive USB dac + headphone amp