[alexfsu]

I think I've narrowed it down to the E11 and the E17, but I must admit I'm not really sure if I need DAC (or specifically what it is for that matter).  Basically I just want to be able to mix tracks properly when I'm on the road.  Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

 

[Darkblade48]

A DAC (digital analog converter) is something that takes the digital information that is "music" and converts them to an analog signal (that we can hear through headphones/speakers).
 
Devices such as laptops, CD players, MP3 players, etc have DACs that convert the files that are stored in a digital format to the analog format that we can hear.
 
I am not too familiar with the DAC on a MBP (Macbook Pro?), but the E17 is a built-in DAC/amplifier, whereas the E11 is only an amplifier.
 
 

 

[proton007]

I don't think a DAC has any relationship with mixing.