Question about Waveterminal U24 and DAC's

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Hello, I will order the Super.Fi 5 Pro or the Westone UM2 tomorrow. I have to decide. So well, I got a crappy Audigy LS card, so I should update for make my new headphones shine, get a soundcard, and maybe a DAC later. (Probably this can be the Christmas gift)

So well, I really would like to get a good external card, (I'm sure it will be least money if it is internal) But I want an external card because probably the next year I will be using laptop, and also there's a lot of times when I want to bring a good quality soundcard to my friends' houses. So I thought about the Waveterminal U24, but is it okay? or I need something better to make my new headphones shine? I would like nice quality with only using a soundcard, but if I need a DAC, what one? Not that expensive please, I want not to spend much more than $200 in a DAC. (I don't got that, but well and remember that the soundcard would be the gift)

Or any other opinions? Imagine that I have $300

 

[Tachikoma]

Lol, get the waveterminal, then _if_ it isn't good enough get a DAC. It does have an pretty decent integrated headphone amp, so I guess its good enough for your purposes

Try not to think about DACs. DAC= major money pit.

Edit: Excerpt from dshea_32665's review:-

Addendum: Analogue Out

I am glad members reminded me to do this. The analogue out is fantastic!!! Last night in the airport I listened to my computer's headphone out with my SR-71 amp and was very unsatisfied. I messed with EQ and everything and it was not anywhere in the same league as my full setup. This morning I tried hooking up my phones directly to the Waveterminal, no amp, no DAC and Wow. The sound was very close to my full set up (chalk up one more convert to source first). I would be thrilled with this sound. The waveterminal alone thoroughly beats my Transit/SR-71/Piccolo setup. It isn't even close. It is still very detailed, great sound stage, huge bass increase, basically everything that I described above. When I add the SR-71, the bass is enhanced and there is refinement in all the strengths of this sound card. When I add the DAC I get a little more smoothness and weight to the instruments which is very nice. But 90% of the sound upgrade is there with only the Waveterminal. When travelling, I may leave my amp and DAC at home and just plug in the Waveterminal. No batteries, wallwarts or other bothers, just USB power.

 

[Help]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tachikoma Lol, get the waveterminal, then _if_ it isn't good enough get a DAC. It does have an pretty decent integrated headphone amp, so I guess its good enough for your purposes Try not to think about DACs. DAC= major money pit. Edit: Excerpt from dshea_32665's review:- Addendum: Analogue Out I am glad members reminded me to do this. The analogue out is fantastic!!! Last night in the airport I listened to my computer's headphone out with my SR-71 amp and was very unsatisfied. I messed with EQ and everything and it was not anywhere in the same league as my full setup. This morning I tried hooking up my phones directly to the Waveterminal, no amp, no DAC and Wow. The sound was very close to my full set up (chalk up one more convert to source first). I would be thrilled with this sound. The waveterminal alone thoroughly beats my Transit/SR-71/Piccolo setup. It isn't even close. It is still very detailed, great sound stage, huge bass increase, basically everything that I described above. When I add the SR-71, the bass is enhanced and there is refinement in all the strengths of this sound card. When I add the DAC I get a little more smoothness and weight to the instruments which is very nice. But 90% of the sound upgrade is there with only the Waveterminal. When travelling, I may leave my amp and DAC at home and just plug in the Waveterminal. No batteries, wallwarts or other bothers, just USB power.

LOL... Thanks