Nope, 3.5mm stereo minijack and 2 RCAs also

Hey there, my system hasn't changed for years - I still use a NAD M51 DAC with the Yellowtec PUC2 Lite USB-AES converter. The Yellowtec is great and I recommend it highly; it gives a detailed, powerful, meaty sound. Note, AES happens to be the best input for the M51, and the Yellowtec is AES...

Chasing inherent onboard laptop sound quality is a dubious goal. Better would be optimizing offboard USB or ethernet to USB/SPDIF/AES out.

Have a look at info from this thread. At your budget, studio monitors would be a good bet. However, I did try amp and passives and think the quality ceiling is higher; with one caveat that the speakers must be designed for desktop placement (not many are). If you might be inclined to DIY, Jeff...

I doubt many have heard the Audiobyte outside Eastern Europe, tbh. The Singer has been reviewed well by many. You need to check the I2S pinout of a given unit works with the Holo. I think Kitsune will know; you could email them. I think they sell both units.

Where's that DBT-free forum? All these reductive "all DACs sound the same" posts. This is like saying all CD players sound the same. Perfect sound forever! I'm sure the Xonar is pretty good, so is a Lynx. So is a Benchmark. So is a Chord Dave, and so is a Nagra. Do they make a difference...

Boost 3 is Realtek ALC1150 - that's the top one. Xonar will be small upgrade at most; not justifying the cost. Headphone output quality between the onboard and Xonar is determined by the headphone output circuit. Hyper X headset seems USB, so will be driving itself. Onboard/soundcard is bypassed...

Possibly marginal. Which card? Which onboard? What speakers/chain?

Yes, look here https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/shape50_specification-sheet.pdf The Focals have XLR and RCA analogue inputs. Balanced inputs from balanced outputs are best, but you could just start with a standard 3.5mm (mac out) to 2x RCA stereo cable...

My thoughts: - 80-90% of the sound quality from a desktop setup is determined by the speakers - most home hi-fi speakers are not designed for nearfield listening on a desktop; pro/studio active monitors are, however -- plus you won't need a separate amp - speakers are the most personal thing...

$1,000 is plenty for a quality desktop setup. Diff configs I'd consider: 1. JBL LSR350s - $200 for a pair and you're done! You can upgrade by adding a USB DAC down the road (e.g. Chord Mojo, Pro-Ject S2) 5. Teac AI-301DA DAC/AMP to yes, I'd also go for Q Acoustics 2010/2020/3010/3020s passives...

Also very important is are you listening nearfield on a desk or do you plan to place the speakers in the room (if so, how big the room, distance from speakers?)

There are many different configs - from simplest to...more expensive: 1. iMac headphone output direct to stereo powered speakers / active monitors with analogue inputs (inputs 3.5mm, RCAs or XLRs). e.g. JBL LSR305 around $200 or Focal Shape 65s for $2,000) 2. iMac USB output to stereo powered...

It's good to have a reference to pick the right speakers but like some have said, there are so many variables to performance: the acoustics in your room and partnering equipment being fundamental. From the elements you listed, I'd think these are good things to look for: 1. "perfect textural...

I've uploaded the 1.39 firmware and installation instructions PDF here :D