Looking for Beginning Dac?

[Little J040]

Ok so im sorta upset with my Supermacro being out of commission for a few weeks, so ive come to realize i want a DAC too for home use. Now with a dac could i just plug my ipod or computer into it then plug the headphones into that? Or am i completely missing the purpose of a DAC. I want something low to mid priced because im a noob when it comes to source components and such.


Thanks

 

[Fidelity]

Search for the Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 DAC on ebay, a bargain at the price.

 

[videocrew]

no, with a DAC you could hook up anything that outputs an S/PDIF data stream via a toslink optical or coaxial cable and then have a line output into a headphone amplifier which you would then connect headphones to.

you might be able to hook it up to your computer if your computer has a digital output, but you CERTAINLY can't hook it up to your iPod. What you're describing is a headphone amplifier, which you already have.

A FEW headphone amps have a built in DAC (AOS Flute) or USB DAC (hooks up to computer, Headroom Total Bithead) but thats about it. Unless you have a CD Player with optical output or a computer with digital output, or you want a USB DAC which would only work with your computer, you're not going to be able to hook the DAC up to anything.

and whether you get it or not you still need a headphone amp.

 

[Little J040]

is just a generic panasonic progressive dvd player fine as long as i have a good or decent dac? I mean i just want to have a way to listen to good quality music At home. Will i still need the amp in this case?

 

[Fidelity]

The DAC still needs to be hooked up to an headphone or speaker amp.

 

[Little J040]

So a Dac doesnt do any amplification at all it is just something audio signal passes through? How would a more expensive DAC sound better than a cheaper one. I know the basics, it just converts digi to analog, but what differences in sound will there be if i didnt bother with one?

 

[videocrew]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little J040 So a Dac doesnt do any amplification at all it is just something audio signal passes through?

correct
Quote:

Originally Posted by Little J040 How would a more expensive DAC sound better than a cheaper one. I know the basics, it just converts digi to analog, but what differences in sound will there be if i didnt bother with one?

A more expensive DAC generally results in better jitter reduction, possible over/upsampling, higher sample rate compatibility, and just better sound overall. It will not however amplify anything. At all. So you absolutely still need an amp.

Get the amp taken care of, hook the DVD player up, and if you don't like how that sounds, then add like a Scott Nixon DAC (www.scott-nixon.com) for about 250 bucks and start the long and arduous path of upgrades

 

[Little J040]

Alright, thanks for the advice. Seems like im doomed to spending mucho more money. lol!

 

[bundee1]

Here we go again:

blah blah Head-Fi, blah blah blah

wallet

 

[bundee1]

What do you want to change about your dvd player's sound?

 

[BANGPOD]

Little J040 --

The Muse 2 Plus DAC.

Neutral with a touch of warmth...
And tons of detail, if that is possible!

It comes highly recommended.

BANGPOD