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Need help with Audioengine A2 and DAC

post #1 of 11
9/30/11 at 1:50am
Thread Starter 
Hi there,

I'm super nooby to computer audio, I would really appreciate the feedback.

So I've been running Altec Lansing MX 5021 for about 7 years now, and I feel like to sell them and upgrade speakers and get a DAC. From my experience my 2008 Macbook Pro's sound card is pretty crappy, Lots of static noise from the headphone jack. I main use my speakers for music, and I can careless about the sound quality for movies and gaming. So I basically have 2 main questions:

Is getting the Audioengine A2 to replace the MX5021 an upgrade? I've researched some, and it appears to me that it will be an upgrade, but since I'm so new to this field so I would like to know your opinion.

I would like to buy a beginner DAC to work with my Macbook Pro, and so far I've only kind know about the Nuforce, Fiio, and Fubar DACs. Which brand would be a good choice? I don't want to spend over $250 on a DAC. So I was thinking about the Nuforce uDAC-2. Is it good enough to work with the Audioengine A2? Or should I get something like the Nuforce ICON? BTW, I don't use headphones with my computer, only speakers, so I could skip the amp part?

I live in Vancouver, the only place I know is Headphone Bar, and they only carry Nuforce and Fiio, and where else could I purchase a DAC in Vancouver, or any sites that ship to Canada? I found another thread that has a few links to Vancouver based stores, but I looked at the websites and they don't seem to carry DACs.

Thanks a lot.
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post #2 of 11
9/30/11 at 2:44am

For the $$ a T-amp and decent bookshelf speakers would give you better SQ for less money too tongue_smile.gif

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post #3 of 11
9/30/11 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, but I don't have space for a bookshelf system. So I'm thinking about the A2, and wondering which DAC I should get and I could get in Vancouver.
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post #4 of 11
9/30/11 at 1:52pm
check out themacgroup there based in ottawa they have some stuff there...

https://www.themacgroup.ca/store/index.php?pg=home
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post #5 of 11
9/30/11 at 9:20pm
I cannot recommend the HRT Music Streamer enough for a entry level DAC. For $150, it is one of the best values out there.
It will work great with your A2 and make it sing (sic) smily_headphones1.gif
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post #6 of 11
10/1/11 at 2:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quantizer View Post

I cannot recommend the HRT Music Streamer enough for a entry level DAC. For $150, it is one of the best values out there.
It will work great with your A2 and make it sing (sic) smily_headphones1.gif

Thanks. How does it compare to the Nuforce uDAC-2? And I saw it on Moon Audio, do they ship to Canada? If not, where can I buy it from?
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post #7 of 11
10/1/11 at 5:25am
Agreed about the HRT music streamer but you may prefer something with a volume pot and a headphone amp. I'm not a huge fan of the udac 2 (I owned and used one for a while) and I suspect you can find better at that price since there are a lot of products out there in that price range.
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post #8 of 11
10/1/11 at 2:28pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I think it would be really nice to have volume knob. As far as I know that with a DAC the volume control on my Mac's keyboard will no longer work, correct me if I am wrong.
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post #9 of 11
10/1/11 at 8:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTX1 View Post

Yeah, I think it would be really nice to have volume knob. As far as I know that with a DAC the volume control on my Mac's keyboard will no longer work, correct me if I am wrong.

The volume controls on my mac work with other DACs, but not with the HRT Music Streamer II.
(The controls are greyed out)

Since the A2s have a volume control, I don't think this to be too much of a problem.
When I connect headphones directly, I usually use the volume control on the player instead of the system volume control. (iTunes or VLC)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTX1 View Post

Thanks. How does it compare to the Nuforce uDAC-2? And I saw it on Moon Audio, do they ship to Canada? If not, where can I buy it from?

If you're just comparing the DAC sections, the Music Streamer is much better.
I don't know if Moon Audio ships to Canada, but I bought mine from Amazon. I'm sure they ship to Canada!
Edited by Quantizer - 10/1/11 at 8:42pm
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post #10 of 11
10/2/11 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTX1 View Post

Yeah, I think it would be really nice to have volume knob. As far as I know that with a DAC the volume control on my Mac's keyboard will no longer work, correct me if I am wrong.

Check out the Audinst HUD-MX1 at around $190 and the new Fiio E-10 at $80. I agree with Quantizer about the SQ of the HRT music streamer II (I'm using it now as I write this) but it may not be as functional for the OP as a usb dac with a volume pot and a headphone amp.
Edited by alexsj - 10/2/11 at 7:39am
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post #11 of 11
10/6/11 at 7:05pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks guys. Right now I am also considering the Maverick D1, but I've seen many issues discussed about it on Head-Fi, what are your thoughts on it?

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