[sterling1]

I use a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD with my laptop for many functions. I cannot discern the sound from SACD direct and from iTunes on the laptop via the X-Fi HD processing USB  to S/PDIF with digital to analog conversion from pre/pro.

 

[Headzone]

Old sony vaio's had pretty decent realtek in it. Sounded much better than dell/hp business laptops in the same price.

 

[huggs2]

I have the current 15" Macbook pro. The only model i think which has a high quality DAC built in.Of course the new MACos 10.12 Sierra also helps.I tried all the various software available and i now use the Jriver media centre which sounds best to me.My cans are Grado Labs SR225i.Usually i listen to FLAC files, Youtube and Vimeo sound really good too.For me the sound on this setup is amazing.Just my 2 cents worth.
My Explorer2 now resides in a drawer.

 

[GuywhoLikesHIFI]

My Macbook Pro's sound is significantly beaten even by this little $30 DAP. Much better separation and detail, the Mac just sounds like mud. http://penonaudio.com/Mrobo-C5?search=mrobo 
If the Mac is a good example of laptop sound quality, I don't know what to think.