What DACs do you use in your set-up?

[rowie16830]

Just looking at getting a DAC for my set-up and curious to know what other people have?

 

[yRaz]

Just looking at getting a DAC for my set-up and curious to know what other people have?

A DAC for what? are we talking optical to RCA?

 

[captaincranky]

The sound cards included with modern to upper tier mobos are quite competent. So, there's no real need for an outboard DAC.

Besides, all the DACs I've seen are only 2 channel PCM stereo anyway.

If headphone volume is an issue, either buy an more efficient pair of phones, or a headphone amp.

Unless you've absolutely convinced yourself you "need" one, in which case, I can't help you.

 

[yRaz]

The sound cards included with modern to upper tier mobos are quite competent. So, there's no real need for an outboard DAC.

Besides, all the DACs I've seen are only 2 channel PCM stereo anyway.

If headphone volume is an issue, either buy an more efficient pair of phones, or a headphone amp.

Unless you've absolutely convinced yourself you "need" one, in which case, I can't help you.

I have a Hi-Fi setup I use as my computer speakers and the Motherboard output produces fantastic sound. I do worry about Optical/Toslink to RCA DACs because you can hear a difference in the "cheap" ones. They're all PCM, too. Optical audio needs to die.

 

[wiyosaya]

I have a Hi-Fi setup I use as my computer speakers and the Motherboard output produces fantastic sound. I do worry about Optical/Toslink to RCA DACs because you can hear a difference in the "cheap" ones. They're all PCM, too. Optical audio needs to die.

I have an HTPC setup, and the audio is output through the HDMI cable to my HTR - a Yamaha RX-A1050. I'd wager that it has better DACs that most of those available for PCs.

 

[yRaz]

I have an HTPC setup, and the audio is output through the HDMI cable to my HTR - a Yamaha RX-A1050. I'd wager that it has better DACs that most of those available for PCs.

Well the DAC in my PC is better than the Optical to RCA DAC I bought. DACs aren't hard, expensive or complicated to make which makes it all the more puzzling why it's really a roll of the dice as to whether they're good or not. I'd wager any motherboard worth it's salt has a good built in DAC.

I have an excessively expensive Hi-Fi setup, I wouldn't cheap out on a sound card if I needed one.

 

[captaincranky]

A DAC for what? are we talking optical to RCA?

Even my 20 year old Pioneer 5 channel AVR cheapie has an SPDIF input. Of course it doesn't always find the beginning of a CD track, and RCA to RCA analog is a bit more pleasant.

 

[yRaz]

Even my 20 year old Pioneer 5 channel AVR cheapie has an SPDIF input. Of course it doesn't always find the beginning of a CD track, and RCA to RCA analog is a bit more pleasant.

Well my 52 year old Marantz 3800 does not

 

[captaincranky]

Well my 52 year old Marantz 3800 does not

I'm surprised the PSU caps haven't emptied themselves out yet on that relic.
Have you tried just putting a splitter on the PC's headphone jack?
Of course that would move the EQ and volume to the PC's control.

 

[yRaz]

I'm surprised the PSU caps haven't emptied themselves out yet on that relic.
Have you tried just putting a splitter on the PC's headphone jack?
Of course that would move the EQ and volume to the PC's control.

I had it recapped in 2014. And that's exactly what I do, 3.5mm to RCA right out the back of the PC.