Help Choosing a computer DAC

[JackStraw90]

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Just gonna throw in the obligatory ODAC recommendation. I have no idea why it hasn't been recommended yet, or why anyone would want to buy something with similar technology, but half the price. Why not pay 50ish more dollars and get the real thing?

You don't want a warm dac, you want warm speakers, or maybe a warm amp.. never a warm dac. You want an accurate dac At least, that's what I think you should want

http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=39

 
I was looking at the ODAC on the JDS Labs website. Is there any benefit to having the RCA output as opposed to the standard 3.5mm jack? Will the RCA output deliver a higher quality sound to my receiver, and if so how noticeable will it be without really high end equipment?

 

[chrislangley4253]

Quote:

 
I was looking at the ODAC on the JDS Labs website. Is there any benefit to having the RCA output as opposed to the standard 3.5mm jack? Will the RCA output deliver a higher quality sound to my receiver, and if so how noticeable will it be without really high end equipment?

Easy answer - There will be absolutely no difference in sound quality

Difficult answer - something about crosstalk and the durability of 3.5mm jacks

It really, really won't matter as far as sound goes. They offer an rca version because some people prefer to use rca.

 

[JackStraw90]

I decided to go with the Devilsound. Just ordered it I'll let everyone know what I think after I give it a listen

 

[JackStraw90]

So the devilsound has been on backorder since I ordered it, which I'm taking as a good sign. It was just shipped today, so I'll let everyone know what I think after a couple weeks of listening.
 
Cheers!

 

[JackStraw90]

Just got the devilsound today! It sounds fantastic! Looking forward to hearing how the sound changes with the burn-in period. I was wondering if I should set the volume on my computer and on itunes at 75% or 100%. Any thoughts?
 
Cheers

 

[chrislangley4253]

100

 

[JackStraw90]

Devilsound still sounds great! Personally, I haven't noticed much of a change with the so-called "burn-in," but I did compare it to a 3.5mm jack going from the auxiliary jack on my computer to the receiver and noticed quite a difference. It was mainly in the bass. With the external DAC the bass was much tighter and less muddy. The instrument separation and overall soundstage was also much greater with the external DAC. I got rid of the Denon receiver and am now going through a Sansui 210. Really low power (10 watts per channel - but this thing is old school and 10 watts goes pretty far with these old 70s receivers), but it has a really clean sound. More than enough to fill the room with sound.
 
Cheers!
 

 

[nagual]

Why all the suggestions made in ​​this topic include usb dacs?  Is there already a consensus that, in the same price range, the usb dacs are superior to those with optical or coaxial input?  Forgive me if the question seems too obvious, but I don´t have seen much discussions about this matter, here.

 

[JackStraw90]

Quote:

Why all the suggestions made in ​​this topic include usb dacs?  Is there already a consensus that, in the same price range, the usb dacs are superior to those with optical or coaxial input?  Forgive me if the question seems too obvious, but I don´t have seen much discussions about this matter, here.

For me it was about convenience and not having to use another outlet. I also don't know much about coaxial or optical. I am just used to the USB to RCA plugs.