[Minks007]

Does anyone have any idea which DAC the 2012 macbook air uses?
I called apple support to ask them which DAC was used in the air, they have no idea, even though the call was escalated to a higher level.
 
My question is whether a Fiio E10 will improve sound quality. 
With a pair of Yuin PK1's it sounds slightly better, but I would really like to know if anyone has read any reports which have compared the air to the E10, or even a test of the air vs any other portable DAC.
 
Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[cizx]

From here: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2011+Teardown/6130/2

The Cirrus 4206BCNZ audio controller was also used in last year's Air, as well as most of the Mac lineup in recent history.

 
Apple wouldn't call it a DAC... in the computer world, they're called sound cards, audio controllers, sound chipset, or something like that.  The DAC is part of the sound chipset.

 

[bowei006]

I have a 2010-2011 Macbook Pro
 
Never had the E10 or Yuin, but have owned the E17, E07K, E12, E02i and borrowed the E11.
 
The MBP's sound was more warm and fun while a FiiO E07K and E17's sound was more accurate. Both were bassy and warm but the MBP was more to an extreme while the FiiO's boasted higher clarity.
 
The difference really isn't day and night. It's there, but MB's already feature decent audio chipsets. 

 

[lerxst]

If you've already got a laptop out, why wouldn't you just use a real USB DAC like the Audioengine D1?

 

[jpierson]

I find the Air to have a lower quality headphone output compared to my Pro. The E10 and E17 both improve it greatly!