[ikymagoo]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=180-998
 
was wondering if it's worth it, since this would be my first DAC
 
thanks

 

[brunk]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=180-998

was wondering if it's worth it, since this would be my first DAC

thanks

I remember someone mentioning this DAC before. They said they werent too impressed with it. At your price range, I can fully recommend the Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC being the better choice.

 

[obobskivich]

The quick version: It's crap. Pass.

If you need an inexpensive stand-alone S/PDIF DtoA, there's a FiiO that people seem to like, that runs around $30 on Amazon. Gefen makes a similarly sized version that can also decode Dolby Digital, which sells for around $90. You could also scour ebay for D/A converters from yesteryear, like the Technics SH-AC500D or the various Sony and Yamaha competitors. Finally, if you're talking about hooking up to a PC, there's an ocean of USB, PCI, PCIe, FireWire, etc audio controllers out there that you can (and should) look at. A lot of them include headphone amplifiers too.

 

[ikymagoo]

thanks for your info.
one more question, how much of a difference will i notice from my iMac if i use an outboard DAC?
that is why i want to start on the low end (price)

 

[ikymagoo]

thanks, i will look into that

 

[obobskivich]

thanks for your info.
one more question, how much of a difference will i notice from my iMac if i use an outboard DAC?
that is why i want to start on the low end (price)

What outputs does your iMac offer, and what are you plugging it into?

 

[ikymagoo]

the imac has both analog and digital outputs from the same 3.5 mm jack
 
right now i just have a 3.5 mm to RCA cord from the iMac to my vintage MCS 3835 integrated amp

 

[obobskivich]

If you aren't getting any hum/noise (and I'm assuming you aren't), I don't think you'll get much of anything from a cheap outboard DAC. A very expensive model might produce a somewhat distinct sound, but as usual - I'm skeptical. As JA put it a few years ago - digital devices have gotten really good in the last few years, and really cheap at the same time.