USB DAC/Audio for Macbook?
Discussion
I've a 2015 MBP so not a bad bit of kit.
This is one of those "they're cheap so why not have a look" questions where I'm probably just too much of a geek but... how much difference, if any at all, is an external DAC/soundcard likely to make with a reasonably pair of headphones?
I ask as back when I used to be quite into my separates an external DAC was quite an expensive piece of kit, but these days it seems you can pick something up for as little as £15.
This is one of those "they're cheap so why not have a look" questions where I'm probably just too much of a geek but... how much difference, if any at all, is an external DAC/soundcard likely to make with a reasonably pair of headphones?
I ask as back when I used to be quite into my separates an external DAC was quite an expensive piece of kit, but these days it seems you can pick something up for as little as £15.
A good one makes a significant difference naim dac v1 and chord Hugo are 2 of the best and desktop friendly.
Afraid I don't know about the 15 quid zone but I would think there is something effective lower down it might be you get a sweet spot a bit higher up as dacs are not high volume products
Afraid I don't know about the 15 quid zone but I would think there is something effective lower down it might be you get a sweet spot a bit higher up as dacs are not high volume products
How much into diminishing returns do you get?
For example with a £300 budget between DAC and Headphones how would you split (and what do you gain much with an extra £50, an extra £100 etc.).
There has never been so much choice but the downside is it's all online with almost nowhere to go that has this stuff.
For example with a £300 budget between DAC and Headphones how would you split (and what do you gain much with an extra £50, an extra £100 etc.).
There has never been so much choice but the downside is it's all online with almost nowhere to go that has this stuff.
megaphone said:
What are you going to listen to? Which format?
Nothing I'd consider high quality in terms of bitrate.Streaming audio, Youtube, a lot of online TV/radio which will be reasonably low bitrate.
Silk purse sows ear in many ways I suppose but I presume there is still some improvement it's just when diminishing returns kicks in.
I use a Meridian Explorer 2 as my headphone amp on my Macs, and also use it as a pre amp on my living room system.
Rasberry Pi - Meridian Explorer II - Quad 405 power amp - Quad S2 speakers.
I am blown away by it, and it has seen off lots of others at 10 times the price.
Give Rick at Audio Images a bell, he had a load at £90 each.
Audio Images, 284 Glossop Road, Sheffield, England. Tel: 0114 273 7893
Website: www.audio-images.co.uk
Rasberry Pi - Meridian Explorer II - Quad 405 power amp - Quad S2 speakers.
I am blown away by it, and it has seen off lots of others at 10 times the price.
Give Rick at Audio Images a bell, he had a load at £90 each.
Audio Images, 284 Glossop Road, Sheffield, England. Tel: 0114 273 7893
Website: www.audio-images.co.uk
Dr G said:
Fiio E10 here - makes a remarkable difference and an absolute requirement when using quality cans.
Cost £60 or something but would be value at double the price.
Yes I've been considering one of those or the Meridian.Cost £60 or something but would be value at double the price.
There's no hurry and I'm trying to understand how to split my budget between DAC/Amp/Headphones whilst keeping in mind that I could easily spend a small fortune.
Be good to know if anyone can suggest anywhere Midlands-ish that has headphones in store to try out - lots of them
Went into town today and came back with a Meridian Explorer 2 and a set of Hifiman 400S's.
Listened to some Grado's, some Oppo, some B&W and some Sennheiser and whilst I doubt a career at Stereophile awaits my basic observations were that Grado just didn't seem to have any bass or punch, the B&Ws were lovely but the physical comfort wasn't great, the Sennheisers were simply too "boomy" as were the Oppo's which was a surprise simply because of the reviews.
I was cautious whether I would be able to tell the difference between my £20 pair and I probably didn't do myself any favours by having made the journey wearing the standard iPod headphones as I guess anything I'd listened to would sound better.
What was interesting was that because it was a headphone bar I could try a few different sets and I tried a £350 set of Hifiman followed by a £2600 pair and I can't honestly say I felt they were significantly better but of course I'll caveat that with that with Tidal and rock music through a DAC it's different to if you're into quieter more detailed stuff.
Happy bunny
Listened to some Grado's, some Oppo, some B&W and some Sennheiser and whilst I doubt a career at Stereophile awaits my basic observations were that Grado just didn't seem to have any bass or punch, the B&Ws were lovely but the physical comfort wasn't great, the Sennheisers were simply too "boomy" as were the Oppo's which was a surprise simply because of the reviews.
I was cautious whether I would be able to tell the difference between my £20 pair and I probably didn't do myself any favours by having made the journey wearing the standard iPod headphones as I guess anything I'd listened to would sound better.
What was interesting was that because it was a headphone bar I could try a few different sets and I tried a £350 set of Hifiman followed by a £2600 pair and I can't honestly say I felt they were significantly better but of course I'll caveat that with that with Tidal and rock music through a DAC it's different to if you're into quieter more detailed stuff.
Happy bunny
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