[foges]

I have an iMac->LittleDot MK III->DT880's and I am not completely satisfied with the sound, especially because there is quite a bit of background noise so I was planning on getting a DAC to go with the setup. I've read that the EMU 0404 is supposed to be good. Anyone care to comment on the following: Can i expect to hear any sort of improvement? Secondly, can i expect the noise to be gone? Thirdly, would you recommend another DAC instead?
 
PS: The noise is completely gone when i unplug the LittleDot from my computer. 
 
PPS: I am expecting an increase in sound quality because using an old beogram record player as a source made a night and day difference...

 

[foges]

I just read somewhere that it is a waste of money to get the 0404 if you only want it for its DAC capabilities and that there are better alternatives out there, any merit to that statement?

 

[Xaborus]

An unshielded sound card will still have that "Buzz" or "Humm" you have, due to EMI inside the computer.
 
Your best choice is a DAC. Just make sure that the  DAC has drivers for your mac.

 

[searchenabler]

A good quality PCI sound card has perfect performance, relatively speaking. The only way a hum would exist is if you had an unusually poorly designed computer or a poorly designed sound card. It is not difficult to achieve SNRs over 100dB from even a cheap PCI soundcard if you pick somewhat carefully.
 
The EMU0404 USB is overkill for just DAC use. It has superb performance in all of it's possible functions; but that is the thing - it is a multi-use device and if you don't need any of it's other features you don't need to spend the money for that product. I have one of these, and it's great, but I use it for recording, measurements, as a mic pre, etc.