USB DACs

[Tony1110]

I recently paired my Grado 325i's with a Graham Slee Solo and they sound terrific together. But I'm getting into this now and I'll not be satisfied until I've extracted the very best sound possible from these brilliant 'phones. I'm now debating whether to buy a Music Streamer II+ in order to improve upon my current source - a cheap Denon CD player with bog-standard leads. Question: Does the effectiveness of USB-based DACs depend upon the PC/laptop they're plugged into, or would it make no difference whether I used a £150 netbook as opposed to a £1500 MacBook Pro? Is the computer itself a factor, or does the quality of audio depend exclusively on the DAC used to feed the amp? Obviously I'll be using uncompressed files --FLAC or Lossless-- but I'm a bit unsure as to where the chain begins and I don't want to spend a fortune on a quality DAC if my computer is likely to hinder its sound. Advice, please.

 

[chewy4]

Unless there is something wrong with the computer or the software on it, sound quality should be uneffected if you're using an external DAC. If you're recording music it could be another issue, as then you have latency to deal with.
 
Also, a £1500 MacBook Pro is probably worth the same as a £150 netbook as far as parts are concerned

 

[Tony1110]

Nope - it'll be used for playback purposes only. Do you think my choice of DAC is a good one?

 

[dlwilladsen]

The Music Streamers are an excellent value.  I had the Pro and very much enjoyed it.  

 

[KT66]

Unless there is something wrong with the computer or the software on it, sound quality should be uneffected if you're using an external DAC. If you're recording music it could be another issue, as then you have latency to deal with.

Also, a £1500 MacBook Pro is probably worth the same as a £150 netbook as far as parts are concerned

. So all Dacs sound the same now ? Nb must ring and tell audio note and dcs

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

. So all Dacs sound the same now ? Nb must ring and tell audio note and dcs

You've taken my post completely out of context. Regardless of my beliefs on that subject(I'd rather not start up a debate here), my post in no way implied that if you actually read the question that I was answering.

 

[feds27]

I find there's a clear improvement in sound going from my portable DAC to my component DAC.  The PS Audio Digital Link III is giving me great results with my Mac Book Air.