[Calle]

Hi,
 
I am getting my first desktop rig for my Macbook Pro. I have been searching the net for various DAC's and amps. The two first I found was the RSA The Predator USB DAC and Headamp Pico USB DAC where everything is rolled together in one housing. I am looking for a solution where I have a separate DAC and amp. I wanted to ask if you guys might have an idea of what components I could choose from.
 
I am currently looking at the RME Babyface (http://www.rme-audio.de/products_babyface.php) and the Apogee Duet 2 (http://apogeedigital.com/products/duet2.php) but I am unsure if I can connect them from MBP > DAC > amp. I see that both has different outputs but can either of them work as a standalone DAC that feeds an amp, like the ALO Audio Continental v2 or any of RSA's amps.
 
EDIT: The Duet 2 has 1 Stereo headphone OUT, can I plug this out to a separate amp?
 
Any thoughts or ideas are most welcome!

 

[mtkversion]

Is there a particular reason you chose audio interfaces instead of stand-alone DACs?  Are you going to use their other functions (i.e recording/production?)
 
Seeing that you have two headphones that are balanced capable, take a look at the thread for the Schiit Mjolnir ($749) 
 
Suggestions could be narrowed down more if you give us a budget.

 

[Calle]

I chose the Apogee because I have heard it makes a nice sound. I am also looking at stand-alone DACS but I haven't found any that will work with USB to DAC to amp.
 
The headphones in my tag line will not be used for the setup, I am mainly going to use it with a pair of IEM and maybe my Sennheiser HD800.
 
Budget is irrelevant. i am after a semi portable rig.

 

[Calle]

The problem is I can't find a DAC that has the output or is it input that can feed amp. The Apogee Duet 2 has a breakout cable for a stereo jack but I don't know if that will work.

 

[Calle]

Another thing... Can i simply use the headphone jack on my Macbook to go into a DAC and then onwards to an amp?

 

[Calle]

I have researched that the headphone out on the Macbook is also a digital out. Can I hook that connection to a DAC and from that into an amp?
 
I also see that the Macbook has a mini toslink connection. Will this work to a DAC?

 

[mtkversion]

Taking into account that you want something semi-portable....
 
I'd look into a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 USB to a Lehmann Audio Black Cube Linear.
 
I think this would offer a very high quality sound that is visually 'matched' as well with them both being a brushed aluminum casing.
 
Not sure how the amp would do for sensitive IEM's but should match extremely well with the HD800's.

 

[Calle]

Quote:

Taking into account that you want something semi-portable....
 
I'd look into a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 USB to a Lehmann Audio Black Cube Linear.
 
I think this would offer a very high quality sound that is visually 'matched' as well with them both being a brushed aluminum casing.
 
Not sure how the amp would do for sensitive IEM's but should match extremely well with the HD800's.

Those two DAC's look very good but can I connect them to an amp? As I have stated I want a separate DAC and amp. Can any of RSA's amps be connected with these dacs and which inputs (or is it outputs) can I you? I am looking at the RSA SR-71B but don't know if that has the ability to go into a DAC and onwards into my Macbook.

 

[mtkversion]

The Musical Fidelity is a DAC, the Lehmann is an amp.

 

[Calle]

Quote:

The Musical Fidelity is a DAC, the Lehmann is an amp.

Sorry, thought it was a DAC.

 

[Calle]

Can I hook a USB DAC up to for example a Ray Samuels SR-71B? What outputs does the DAC need to do that? Sorry for all the questions but I am a complete noob when it comes to this type of stuff.