Hi,
I am currently looking for a USB SoundCard/DAC. I read a lot and there are tons of buying advice in this forum, but I'm still confused and decided to create yet another post on this topic.
My requirements would be:
- It will be for desktop use => no need to be portable
- It should have a nice headphone amp to connect a low impedance DT770 (<250 Ohm)
- It should be able to serve my PA with moderate speakers via line out. I am also thinking of getting some M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 or KRK RP5G2 Rokit speakers, but I need more research on that.
- I am not audiophile but the card should provide a crisp sound without unnecessary distortions etc.
- I am sometimes recoding live DJ sets and thus a line-in would be great
- It should be supported by OSX (Linux would be good, too). I don't use Windows.
- It should have a USB connection (Firewire would work, but I'd prefer USB 2.0 / PCI does not work for my laptops :)
- The price should be <$200
Many of the recommendations I read so far target more pure headphone amps like the NuForce Icon uDAC-2. While I see a coax out, I don't see any input ports. Same for the Audinst HUD-mx1, although this seems to be a pretty good pick. I would go for it, if any other choice (e.g., devices with more ports) in that price range would be worse than this one.
A friend of mine got a Roland Cakewalk FA-66 - this device offers a great variety of in- and output ports, but it's a bit too expensive for me.
Devices like the PreSonus AudioBox look nice, have Mic input but no line input (it seems). Some people complain about the bad performance with low impedance head phones (below 250 Ohm). This seems to be an issue. I'd be definitely looking for a phone output that can cope with low impedance headphones.
Any recommendation?
Many thanks in advance!
Edited by RainLover - 11/8/11 at 1:32pm




