[JosephKim]

So I was looking to buy the NuForce uDac, but then saw the Musiland Monitor 02 for a little more. Hmm the 02 is advertised as an external soundcard as opposed to a dac.. whats the difference? Im pretty new when it comes to this stuff. Is the uDac a better deal because it has a combined amp? Thanks!

 

[mralexosborn]

They are the same thing really. The Musiland Monitor 02 is supposedly better though.

 

[MrProggie]

Only difference is perhaps that some DACs don't have headphone out.

 

[neopac]

 
Quote:

 Hmm the 02 is advertised as an external soundcard as opposed to a dac.. whats the difference?

 
An external Soundcard gets it´s input from the PC via USB (or Firewire) and only from the PC ... If you compare this to a DAC, where you could plug in the direct Signal from every transport supporting the right output, you´ll see the difference.
 
short: external Soundcard needs PC .. DAC doesn´t.
 
greetings

 

[JosephKim]

Does the external soundcard have an amp?

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

So I was looking to buy the NuForce uDac, but then saw the Musiland Monitor 02 for a little more. Hmm the 02 is advertised as an external soundcard as opposed to a dac.. whats the difference? Im pretty new when it comes to this stuff. Is the uDac a better deal because it has a combined amp? Thanks!

The Musiland sounds much better than the uDac, especially without adding an amp to the chain. Headphones sound great directly out of the Musiland. Keep in mind that you need to keep the Musiland plugged in (home use only) and you have to control the volume through your computer (no volume knob). Still, it's more than worth it.

 

[mralexosborn]

Quote:

The Musiland sounds much better than the uDac, especially without adding an amp to the chain. Headphones sound great directly out of the Musiland. Keep in mind that you need to keep the Musiland plugged in (home use only) and you have to control the volume through your computer (no volume knob). Still, it's more than worth it.

 
What do you mean "especially without adding an amp to the chain"? If I added say a Little Dot 1+ amp to it, would it not improve the SQ?
 

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

 
What do you mean "especially without adding an amp to the chain"? If I added say a Little Dot 1+ amp to it, would it not improve the SQ?
 

I meant that headphones sound a lot better straight from the Musiland than from the uDac. This is not to say an amp will not help. I didn't mean that. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[mralexosborn]

It is fine. How much does an amp improve it, is the difference significant enough to justify the cost?

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

It is fine. How much does an amp improve it, is the difference significant enough to justify the cost?

I have a Darkvoice 337 which has great synergy with the HD650s. It is worth to me.

 

[mralexosborn]

Quote:

I have a Darkvoice 337 which has great synergy with the HD650s. It is worth to me.

Now to get that $600...

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

Now to get that $600...

I found them used for under $500. But if I were you, I would put that money towards headphones.

 

[mralexosborn]

Yes. I know. I will probably buy a few pairs first, then get a new DAC.