The Dude Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Is there a good, inexpensive DAC? I have this one and it works wonderfully. http://schiit.com/products/modi-2 You can get it for just usb out put which you don't need a power adapter as it powers up via usb. You can all so get it for Toshlink but I think you need a power adapter then. Well worth the money in my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Dragonfly makes a good inexpensive DAC. I have a Maverick Audio tube DAC that I really like that also won't break the bank. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 Thanks duder and Carl. I will check those out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Sold my Music Streamer II, so am DACless at the moment. Worked off the USB, did the job pretty good, not perfect but, what is. Which makes me wonder, how does the Spotify sound Tarheel? As you know, the soundcard/video may be decent in your computer compared to other. No doubt some deals out there. I am happy at the moment...Dacless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 billybob.....Spotify sounds better than Pandora but a little thin and lacking some dynamics. I know nothing about sound cards so I have no idea if its good or not. Really didn't want to have to purchase another piece of equipment 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eth2 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I think using a usb cord bypasses the sound card. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 billybob.....Spotify sounds better than Pandora but a little thin and lacking some dynamics. I know nothing about sound cards so I have no idea if its good or not. Really didn't want to have to purchase another piece of equipment Hey chuck, before i bought my DAC unit, i went to fry's and bought a little "Dragon Fly" type device just to try it out. It worked well enough to get me shopping for my current DAC. I still have it in the package here somewhere, if you want to play with it, you can have it NO charge, PM me your address if you want it. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I think using a usb cord bypasses the sound card. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? Yes, it does, and thereby, getting rid of cheap soundcard noise. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Tarheel, this UD-H01 Teac would be a huge upgrade between your PC and the Blueberry. There is also a version with a built in 50w amp which is what I use. I can really hear a difference between my PCs sound card and a good DAC. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I think using a usb cord bypasses the sound card. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? Yes is the specific answer to the MSII DAC using USB. Thinking that is mostly universal, but not sacred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjd Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I think using a usb cord bypasses the sound card. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Anyone? Yes, it does, and thereby, getting rid of cheap soundcard noise. Agreed. I like to think about it this way in that your computer will recognize the external DAC device as another soundcard to select (in some ways not much different from selecting printers, hard drives, etc.). I have found that the drivers for the DAC will typically make the external DAC the default path automatically when connected; however, I've had a couple of strange situations where drivers wouldn't load correctly with certain USB cables. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 billybob.....Spotify sounds better than Pandora but a little thin and lacking some dynamics. I know nothing about sound cards so I have no idea if its good or not. Really didn't want to have to purchase another piece of equipment The dragonfly is supposed to be a decent one according to reviews,etc. My DAC sure did the job on soundstage, dynamics.......... Mark may give it a thumbs up... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Ah, just checked and Crutchfield has a deal on that unit right now. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_063UDH01S/TEAC-UD-H01-Silver.html?tp=59309 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Going to send mine to Tarheel 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Going to send mine to Tarheel Right, and in a month from now he can refer back to this thread for the next one up just like you did. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eth2 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I don't understand people who need to keep buying audio stuff! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 The first step is admitting you have a problem. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 You guy are most helpful and generous Thanks Mark Now if I can figure out this stick thing Joe sent me. When I plug it in I get a message "no photos or videos found" 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I don't understand people who need to keep buying audio stuff! Your almost there Earl. you are honing in on what you like by doing, Buying & Trying, been there done that just this year 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Boat time, Gloomy cold day here 55 in the cave third cup-o-joe went cold on me. Should get off me azz and clean the watercraft. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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