[macrocheesium]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I just got into audio this will be my first non-portable rig. I did a lot of searching and could honestly not come up with an answer to this. What I need to know, is how will a uDAC-2 with a stock sound card (most likely crap) and my desktop compare to a Cowon J3 in sound quality?
 
The reason I'm asking this is that I have a J3, and I want to start my first desktop rig (basically just a DAC) to get some better sound quality. The problem is I don't want to spend much more than the uDAC-2 costs, and if it doesn't sound as good as the J3 it would be absolutely pointless; I would just keep using the J3 at home.
 
This would be with an unamped AKG K240. I really just need a simple yes or no answer - would the uDAC-2 be better or not? Thanks.

 

[DivergeUnify]

uDAC2 will sound better than Cowon J3.  With my Grado 325is it goes way louder, has much more punch, energy and depth.  With my 530s, my laptop sounds better than my J3 anyways so win there as well. 

 

[macrocheesium]

Thanks, I'll go ahead and get it then.