I found that the sound quality is pretty good using a laptop and a headphone (HD380) without any DAC or AMP. Significantly better than a ipod classic + HD380. Can anybody tell me where the reason lies? Because the laptop is better than a portable player, or because I am using a low-impedance...

I listen with my Sennheiser HD598 and a USB soundcard (Sounblaster XFi Pro). I am under the impression that the sound quality is decent at the very least. I have read though that the impedance is higher for lower frequencies and as a result of that the lower frequencies could be insufficiently...

Hello all!   New guy here, do not consider myself an audiophile by any means,  but I have always lusted after a high end system and I have the means to purchase one right now. My current setup consists of Shure earphones and a Fiio E17 with dock that I run my iPod through, as a first step...

Hi Head Fier friend M2Tech new product : the JOPLIN the JOPLIN is an A to D converter that is capable of turning any analog source into a digital file. It can digitize to any sample and bit rate from 44.1 kHz 16 bit to 384 kHz 32 bit. The inquiries came from all sorts of people with...

PS Audio just released their new DAC, the NuWave DAC. The MRSP is listed as $995. This looks like the replacement for Digital Link III, since that's not listed on their site anymore. Seems to have all the standard features (24 bit/192 kHz) with both balanced and single ended outputs. It accepts...

New equipment from Jan Meier is always an occasion. In the last few hours Jan announced technical details of his new DAC in the Meier Audio Stagedac thread. More information at his website.   Some notable differences from the Stagedac., e.g. looks like careful attention to jitter control...

Hey all, just a passing thought on DACs. I'll be in the market for a new DAC soon and am down to two potential DACs. Originally, I was going to pick up the Schiit Bifrost; I really love the 5 year warranty and the fact that it was made here in the US. However, I just ran into a Musical Fidelity...

I was wondering if someone could help me understand the differences between the sound of the Audio-gd "Reference 5.32" and "SA-1.32" DACs. They're both the same price. (I realize that the former is balanced, with single-ended outputs, and the latter is just single-ended. I would be using either...

I've had the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 D/A Converter for 6 months now, and it's a fine piece of equipment for the price indeed. What would be a step up, a product that would offer comparable input-output flexibilty for a maximum price of 500$, and how would this product surpass the Grant...

Hi all,   First time poster, long time lurker. My step-dad just gave me some old Hi-Fi equipment a pair of Bose 301 Series IV and an Onkyo TX 8511 2 Channel Receiver.   I keep most of my music (FLAC and Apple Lossless) on my computer. I tried hooking up through the horrible onboard audio...

Trying to decide on a desktop USB DAC, and I'm noticing quite a few nice looking ones that only accept 24/96 over USB.  Should I try to find one that is also non-upsampling, Asynchronous USB but accepts 24/192 files?  I've noticed HD Tracks has started carrying a good number of tracks in this...

What do you think is the best DAC coupled with the Darkstar? I saw a review here that the Zodiac series is a good pairing. Would the Zodiac Gold be the best pairing?

The DAC2 from a manufacturer Benchmark, http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac/dac2-hgc, Benchmark will have their demo at Room 1000 at RMAF. 

did somebody compare both ?

Hi all,   I've been shopping for a new desktop DAC lately and came across this one on the Music Direct site which looked intriguing.  Here's a brief overlay of chief characteristics-   " USB  Input  working in asynchronous mode up to 24bits/192kHz and accepting USB audio class 1.0 and...

Hi guys. Im looking for a DAC to use with the HE-500 (possibly HE-6 in the future)   My amp will be the Emotiva mini-X a 100 speaker amp    My sources are Smartphone, PC and PS3   My songs are mostly MP3s and some FLACs as well.   Would prefer a Solid State amp over tube.  ...

Hi, I've got a DAC/AMP and HD650 and I just connect the DAC/AMP through the usb in the computer. I'm just wondering, i don't have a sound card in my computer, will adding a sound card make a difference?

I have been out of the loop for 6-7 years but I am piecing together a headphone system and I could use some help choosing a DAC.   As a source, I intend to use my 160G Ipod only and would like a DAC to bypass the internal one.  I have looked around for the licensed DACs but I'm sure I'm...

Hello folks,   I've narrowed down my search for a DAC+amplifier for my brand new HE-400s to the following options: (JDS Labs) ODAC+O2 DACport LX + [(Fiio) E11 OR JDS Labs cMoy]   I can get either combination for just less than $300.   Which option would you recommend? I'm...

I'm going to apologize for being the million person to ask this question, but I've been pouring over these forums for a week and I am more confused now than when I started. Anyway on to my question: I have about $300 to invest in my first DAC ( really a DAC/Headamp combo ) and I'm baffled by...

Looking for good non portable DAC amp for my iem,s and hd800 cans I would like it to have coax,opticle and USB And possible DAC output alone or amp alone. Something neutral Price up to 2k Advise please

Anyone care to compare these two DACs? I've been looking to get a dedicated DAC for my system because the one in my ef2a sucks. So is the dragonfly just more expensive because it's smaller or because it's better overall? Thanks.

Its come to be that time again, I am looking for a $200 Dedicated DAC. Just a DAC. Nothing else.    I have or have had WM8740 CS4398 (comming soon) Dual WM8741    I am currently using a WM8741 Dual in an Audio gd NFB 12.1. But I will be getting a new unit soon and just need a...

I've been looking at the Devilsound ds DAC v2.1 and have read some good reviews. I have a Denon AVR 1500 receiver hooked up to original series Bose 301s which I re-foamed a few months ago. I have a Denon DCD 1500 CD player hooked up that sounds great. I usually use my Macbook Pro to play music...

Hi, just a quick question. Is there anything bad in connecting the DAC through the display instead of directly to the computer?    (The setup is as follows: Macbook Air -> Thunderbolt Display -> Arcam DAC through USB -> Burson HA 160 -> Denon AH-D 7000)