[Violinboy123]

Hello all!
I was incredibly lucky to be gifted a pair of Sennheiser HD 800s for my birthday. I currently am running the 800s with my Earmax Pro and a Sony SCD CE595. I am looking for a portable DAC that would pair well with the Earmax and the Sennheisers. I am new to the whole dedicated DAC and also could use an explanation of how to rip all of my CDs. I am wondering what the quality difference will be with a cd rip on my MacBook + DAC vs my Sony. Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
-Jeff

 

[uncola]

the DAC isn't used as part of the ripping process..  it's only for playing back things.. it's basically an external high quality sound card chip.
you can use these on mac os x to rip.  
MAX http://sbooth.org/Max/
XLD http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html
 
You didn't make clear if you need a portable dac or a portable dac/amp combined device and how you'll be using it.  If you just need a dac that doesn't need to be plugged into the wall, this one is powered by the usb port you plug it into on your laptop and it's small.  http://us.hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50   it has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can plug directly into it, or use a 3.5mm male stereo to rca male cable to plug it into your earmax.