Have your say & ask the experts

Hi all,

 

I am considering a DAC for three reasons, maybe four.  I want to run my laptop through my system, currently only using 3.5 to phono, I also want to improve my digital radio sound (CA DAB 500), and bolster my cd player (marantz cd6000ose).  My conundrum regarding laptop playback is all my files in itunes were ripped at MP3 192kps, due to the age of my ipod and the then lack of cheap storage.  Is the addition of a dac going to make much difference playing these back? At some point I will probably go through and rip  at lossless, but it feels like such an uphill task, and I still love my cds, that i doubt it will be anytime soon.

 Next, which DAC to go for? Obviously the Caiman would be nice, however I wondre if I will really hear the difference in the new opamps etc, so maybe the original 7520 is best, I can always attempt some electrical upgrades of my own in the future.

 

Thanks for any help

Hi stanleyk.

First suggestion - import a CD at lossless and then higher MP3 bit rate and then do a comparison to see how much of a difference you can hear. If the difference is clear to you with your present setup, then it will be more so with a DAC. My feeling is, that with a DAC your present files will sound flat, especially when compared to CD replay.

Second suggestion - if you listen to internet radio a lot then you now do have a good reason to get a DAC, as you will be getting use for it and then as you re-import your CDs at lossless you will make it worthwhile.

As for which DAC, forum members are happy with any of the following; DACMagic, Beresfords in general, V-DAC and Firestone Fubar. My own expewrience suggests that if you prefer a more rock dynamic go for the Fubar over the V-DAC, or if you prefer a softer edge for classical go for the V-DAC over the Fubar. But both are equally as good at general music reproduction.

 

IDC,

 

Many thanks for the quick response, I am looking to warm the sound slightly on my system, I find the Marantz a little bright, so do you suggest the Fubar above the others?  I was considering the V-DAC as I vaguely remember someone posting on here a few months ago and they found it very cheap, annoyingly I can't remeber where! Does the Fubar have usb input? I don't think my laptop has any decent optical out, so would be relying on this.

 

On a quick look I can see the fubar is usb, however it doesn't look to have other connections, so wouldn't be able to use on my cd/dab?

My thoughts:

Why let your current music collection limit your future?

You'll get more music eventually, and with larger discs you'll want higher quality files.

Also, don't choose a DAC that can only be used with your current PC. Your next laptop will have an optical output.

USB is (except for a couple of expensive DACs) limited to 16bit/48kHz. Many high quality music files available at net shops are 24bit/96kHz. Also, an optical cable isolates your PC from your hi-fi system, eliminating potential ground and noise problems.

Beware that some inexpenisve DACs also has the 16/48 limitation on optical input. As far as I know, neither the DacMagic nor the Beresfords have this limitation (but I can be wrong).

Unless you want to be stuck with your PC as your only music source, you should also choose a DAC with separate inputs and a switch for choosing between them. It's very annoying having to switch cables every time you want to listen to another source.

If you want to warm the sound then I would suggest the V-DAC over the Fubar. The V-DAC also has digital and optical as well as USB connections. The Fubar does only have one USB connection.