DAC Questions
Aug 13, 2012 at 10:42 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9
dscythe

dscythe

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Hey guys, ive just got a couple of questions about possibly adding a DAC to my home setup, ive searched a bit through the forums but all of the threads i see are people going from right out of their computers to looking at DACs. I'm having trouble trying to figure out if adding a DAC will improve what im hearing or not, my setup is this:
 
computer's line out > technics Stereo integrated amplifier SU-V57 > AKG K272 HD
 
My main concern is that i dont have a very large budget so im not sure if a DAC in the $50-100 range will improve anything if i run it from either usb or s/pdif out on my motherboard and then into the dac and then feed that into my receiver. I've been looking at the fiio e10 and uDAC (1 or 2) as possible purchases. Any input would be greatly appreciated
smily_headphones1.gif

 
Thanks
 
Aug 14, 2012 at 7:04 PM Post #2 of 9
I suggest either the FiiO E10 or for a slight upgrade the Total Bithead from Headphone.com.  Both will reduce the noise heard in your PC and provide a nice pre amp signal for your receiver.  There have been a few issues with the uDAC units and I would hesitate to purchase one of them.
 
To tell if a DAC will improve your audio experience answer these questions:
 
1.)  With your current setup can you hear the infamous bleep-bloops of the various clocks inside your PC?
 
2.)  Can you hear a buzz when the mouse is moving?
 
3.)  With the volume at 0% can you still hear a slight hiss in the background?
 
4.)  When playing a CD on your PC can you hear distortion in your music where normally you would not expect there to be any?
 
Those 4 points are where I found a DAC improved my audio experience.
 
Aug 14, 2012 at 9:01 PM Post #3 of 9
Quote:
dscythe said:
Hey guys, ive just got a couple of questions about possibly adding a DAC to my home setup, ive searched a bit through the forums but all of the threads i see are people going from right out of their computers to looking at DACs. I'm having trouble trying to figure out if adding a DAC will improve what im hearing or not, my setup is this:
 
computer's line out > technics Stereo integrated amplifier SU-V57 > AKG K272 HD
 
My main concern is that i dont have a very large budget so im not sure if a DAC in the $50-100 range will improve anything if i run it from either usb or s/pdif out on my motherboard and then into the dac and then feed that into my receiver. I've been looking at the fiio e10 and uDAC (1 or 2) as possible purchases. Any input would be greatly appreciated
smily_headphones1.gif

 
Thanks
Click to expand...

Motherboards come with low cost DAC chips that barely do the job.
Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card (used $50), comes with a CS4398 DAC chip, just run line-out (mini-jack) from the Xonar to the RCA analog input on the SU-V57.
 
Fiio E10, USB-DAC-Headphone amplifier, $70, no need to use the Technica.
 
Aug 14, 2012 at 10:36 PM Post #4 of 9
Quote:
na blur said:
I suggest either the FiiO E10 or for a slight upgrade the Total Bithead from Headphone.com.  Both will reduce the noise heard in your PC and provide a nice pre amp signal for your receiver.  There have been a few issues with the uDAC units and I would hesitate to purchase of of them.
 
To tell if a DAC will improve your audio experience answer these questions:
 
1.)  With your current setup can you hear the infamous bleep-bloops of the various clocks inside your PC?
 
2.)  Can you hear a buzz when the mouse is moving?
 
3.)  With the volume at 0% can you still hear a slight hiss in the background?
 
4.)  When playing a CD on your PC can you hear distortion in your music where normally you would not expect there to be any?
 
Those 4 points are where I found a DAC improved my audio experience.
Click to expand...

 


Hi, I dont really experience any of that while listening to music, i'll do some tests with nothing playing though
 
Aug 14, 2012 at 10:36 PM Post #5 of 9
Quote:
purpleangel said:
Motherboards come with low cost DAC chips that barely do the job.
Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card (used $50), comes with a CS4398 DAC chip, just run line-out (mini-jack) from the Xonar to the RCA analog input on the SU-V57.
 
Fiio E10, USB-DAC-Headphone amplifier, $70, no need to use the Technica.
Click to expand...


So i would most likely benefit from buying one of those?
 
thanks
 
Aug 15, 2012 at 2:10 AM Post #9 of 9
I recently researched the option to get a DAC to replace my onboard soundcard in my Imac 27". After reading numerous reviews iv decided to get the Fiio E10, i was however unsure since i was worried it wouldn't make enough difference due it's low price. Got recommendation on another forum to stretch my budget a little and to get the Audinst HUD-MX1 and after reading some of the reviews it sounded (no pun intended) like the Audinst was best suited for me.
 
Here is some of the reviews i read:
http://noblehifi.blogspot.se/?m=0
 
I received my Audinst yesterday and so far im very happy with it. It's well build and improved SQ with both my speakers and headphones.
 
I think the E10 will be an improvement, but if you can spring for a little more then the Audinst will most likely be a bigger improvement. 
 
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