Is it worth to buy DAC to my notebook ?
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:08 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 42
slawek371

slawek371

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I'm listening to mp3 320 kbs on my notebook Dell inspiron 15R. 
My amplifier is Luxman L-190 and speakers are JPW ML 610.
 
Is it worth to buy a DAC as i listen to mp3 ? 
Will the difference be noticable ?
How will the difference sound like ? sound will be clearer with better bass or what ?
 
I'm from Poland and i found some DAC's on polish auctions, these are quite cheap because i don't want to spend a lot of money so i will be happy if u can help me to choose which of these DAC''s i should buy :
 
FiiO D3 Taishan (148 zł) --> http://allegro.pl/fiio-d3-dac-konwerter-cyfrowo-analogowy-krk-i3175456487.html 

MUSE Mini DAC (169 zł) --> http://allegro.pl/muse-mini-dac-24bit-192khz-toslink-s-pdif-usb-i3194813517.html 

FiiO D5 USB (119,99 zł) --> http://allegro.pl/wzmacniacz-sluchawkowy-fiio-d5-usb-dac-oryginal-i3165056210.html 

SMSL SD-022 (209 zł) --> http://allegro.pl/smsl-sd-022-usb-dac-24bit-96khz-tenor-te7022l-i3172835199.html
 

[size=medium]  [/size]

 
Apr 29, 2013 at 5:46 AM Post #2 of 42
The benefits to expect are better clarity, lower background noise, improved soundstage. Various DACs will deliver them to a varying degree.
Don't worry about the 320kbps MP3 - they are really hard to tell from losless tracks, i.e.if ripped properly they should sound very good.
Without having tested the specific configuration, it's hard to tell how big the impact is going to be. Unfortunately I haven't used any of the gear you mention...
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 6:37 AM Post #3 of 42
As i've read my Luxman amplifier is quite qood with clear sound and speakers are made in england on Peerless speakers. 
I don't have too much money so i want to buy some cheap DAC, i have found these two in quite low price:
1) FiiO D3 Taishan
2) SMSL SD-022
 
FiiO D3 is cheaper.
Do u think that in this price i coc hear some significant improvement comparing to integrated card in notebook?
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 7:19 AM Post #4 of 42
In principle the improvement should be quite significant - most computers have very cheap and nasty DACs. My home machine with the onboard Realtek audio sounds really bad and pretty much any external DAC makes huge difference with it. On the other hand my laptop sounds surprisingly well with the onboard IDT, and if yours is anything like that you may not notice much improvement with something as basic as you're planning to get. Having said that, some equipment in that price range is quite capable. I'm very fond of FiiO E17 for example, and would expect that their other products may perform equally well.
Hopefully someone who has actually used some of these devices will chime in with the first hand experience feedback.
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 8:26 AM Post #5 of 42
As per specs of your laptop: 
  1. SRS Premium Sound™


 
 
 
I think it does not have a very good DAC built inside, if they dont mention it in the specs. So yes, you will definitely have better sound with these DACs, I recommend you to look for something like ODAC or cDAC+. 
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 12:48 PM Post #6 of 42
Apr 29, 2013 at 2:52 PM Post #7 of 42
I searched only allegro because i'm from Poland and on allegro there are only things from Poland so delivery will be the cheapest.
I thought that price will be similar on ebay but now i see that it's two times cheaper.
Can u tell me how much can the delivery from Hong Kong to Poland cost ?
 
Why SMSL SD 022 seems for u to be the best of these ?
 
I found one more Maya U5 it has the same price on allegro about 60$-  http://allegro.pl/karta-dzwiekowa-audiotrak-maya-u5-usb-b-stok-wawa-i3210155970.html
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 2:55 PM Post #8 of 42
Quote:
slawek371 said:
I searched only allegro because i'm from Poland and on allegro there are only things from Poland so delivery will be the cheapest.
I thought that price will be similar on ebay but now i see that it's two times cheaper.
Can u tell me how much can the delivery from Hong Kong to Poland cost ?
 
Why SMSL SD 022 seems for u to be the best of these ?
Click to expand...

 
The link I have listed has free worldwide shipping.
SMSL SD 022 looks best because it has 24/192 capability.
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:15 PM Post #10 of 42
I compared my notebook with a desktop computer and on desktop sound seemed to be better, like it was clearer with stronger bass, it has only integrated sound card on ASUS motherboard (everything is bigger in desktop PC maybe thats why it sounds better). It means that sound card in my notebook can't be so good if even integrated one on desktop computer sound's better.
Do u have some experience with DAC's ? Does it really make a difference ?
 
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:18 PM Post #11 of 42
Quote:
slawek371 said:
I compared my notebook with a desktop computer and on desktop sound seemed to be better, like it was clearer with stronger bass, it has only integrated sound card on ASUS motherboard (everything is bigger in desktop PC maybe thats why it sounds better). It means that sound card in my notebook can't be so good if even integrated one on desktop computer sound's better.
Do u have some experience with DAC's ? Does it really make a difference ?
Click to expand...


DAC is the largest difference you can make
 
Apr 30, 2013 at 2:52 AM Post #12 of 42
Quote:
slawek371 said:
I compared my notebook with a desktop computer and on desktop sound seemed to be better, like it was clearer with stronger bass, it has only integrated sound card on ASUS motherboard (everything is bigger in desktop PC maybe thats why it sounds better). It means that sound card in my notebook can't be so good if even integrated one on desktop computer sound's better.
Do u have some experience with DAC's ? Does it really make a difference ?
Click to expand...

I have a very good motherboard, top of the line ASUS with all the extras, but the sound compared to both of my DACs - ODAC and Meier PCSTEP, is like night and day.
So YES, it does make a difference!
 
Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 AM Post #13 of 42
I looked on eBay and found out that there are many items with free shipping and its cheaper than in my country (Poland).
I can spend up to 50-60$ so if delivery is for free then i can buy something better, I've found for simple SMSL SD 792II for 60$ on eBay --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SD-793II-DAC-DIR9001-PCM1793-OPA2134-Coax-Optical-Input-Headphone-Amp-B-/290786571436. Do u think it will be better ?
 
I have no idea which DAC is the best in this price. 
There are a lot of them, i would be happy if u can help me to choose good one in maximal price up to 60$ with free shipping.
My amplifier is Luxman-L190 and speakers JPW ML 610 --> as i've read amplifier and speakers are good so i should hear difference if DAC change source for the better.
 
Apr 30, 2013 at 7:50 AM Post #14 of 42
Quote:
slawek371 said:
I looked on eBay and found out that there are many items with free shipping and its cheaper than in my country (Poland).
I can spend up to 50-60$ so if delivery is for free then i can buy something better, I've found for simple SMSL SD 792II for 60$ on eBay --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SD-793II-DAC-DIR9001-PCM1793-OPA2134-Coax-Optical-Input-Headphone-Amp-B-/290786571436. Do u think it will be better ?
 
I have no idea which DAC is the best in this price. 
There are a lot of them, i would be happy if u can help me to choose good one in maximal price up to 60$ with free shipping.
My amplifier is Luxman-L190 and speakers JPW ML 610 --> as i've read amplifier and speakers are good so i should hear difference if DAC change source for the better.
Click to expand...


SMSL SD-793II has no USB input. Do you have optical/coax output in your notebook?
 
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