The D1 digital-to-analog converter from Audioengine is a standout value, as it offers great sound quality at a price that is more affordable than comparable units.
I'm looking for a simple Digital to Analog Converter. The current system is: Source is a Mac Pro, files at CD quality, analog output from the 3.5 mm jack.
Schitt pre-amp (just a simple potentiometer). NAD 2600A amplifier (2-channel, 150 WPC).
XTZ 95.24 bookshelf speakers. It seems like the weak link in this system is likely the Mac's DAC and pre-amp. I'd like to change the set-up so that I'm using the digital output from the Mac connected to a DAC with a pre-amp, and eliminate the Schitt potentiometer. (Or, if the DAC has a fixed output, keep the Schitt pot in-line before the amplifier input.) This is an office system.
I'm looking for a basic DAC that will be an improvement over the Mac's built in DAC and amp. I think something with a volume knob would be nice just to reduce the number of boxes on my desktop, but as I mentioned, I can always use the little Schitt pot in the system. I'm looking for a simple Digital to Analog Converter.
The current system is: Source is a Mac Pro, files at CD quality, analog output from the 3.5 mm jack. Schitt pre-amp (just a simple potentiometer). NAD 2600A amplifier (2-channel, 150 WPC).
XTZ 95.24 bookshelf speakers. It seems like the weak link in this system is likely the Mac's DAC and pre-amp.
I'd like to change the set-up so that I'm using the digital output from the Mac connected to a DAC with a pre-amp, and eliminate the Schitt potentiometer. (Or, if the DAC has a fixed output, keep the Schitt pot in-line before the amplifier input.) This is an office system. I'm looking for a basic DAC that will be an improvement over the Mac's built in DAC and amp.
I think something with a volume knob would be nice just to reduce the number of boxes on my desktop, but as I mentioned, I can always use the little Schitt pot in the system. Darth, It sounds like your need is very similar to an AudioEngine D2.
From the audio audioengineusa site 'Audioengine D2 Premium 24-bit Wireless DAC allows you to stream wireless HD audio from your computer to any music system, independent of your Wi-Fi network. D2 includes USB and optical inputs, a high-performance DAC, plus the isolation benefits of wireless. Setup is fast and simple, with no software to install and without the frustration of trying to connect to your network.' I drive it with a Toslink from my Mackbook Pro. I am very satisfied with its performance. Reporting back.
I purchased four DAC's to try out and have been listening for a few weeks. Connection to the DAC's through an optical cable and then RCA outputs through the Schiit SYS pot, then to the NAD amp, and out to XTZ 95.24 speakers + Dayton SUB-1000. Audioengine D1 $170 (Price has now dropped to $130) Small and simple with a headphone jack.
Variable output on both the RCA output and 3.5 mm headphone jack. The sound is bass heavy. I had to turn down the volume on my sub-woofer with this DAC. It sounds fine, nothing obnoxious, but nothing spectacular either. I was less interested and involved with the music than with most of the other units. Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 $200 Simple DAC, pleasant sound, fixed output, no headphone port. Better tonal balance than the Audioengine D1 (less bass, more treble).
Inspires more involvement with the music than the D1 and worth the extra $30. TEAC UD-301 $400 Very nicely built, fixed/variable output option, handles DSD, upsampling if you want it (easily defeatable if you don't).
Painfully bright sound. This DAC is unlistenable. All I can hear when listening to this DAC are cymbal strikes. I tried switching between variable and and fixed output options and both are harsh. NAD D 1050 $500 Nicely built, horizontal or vertical orientation, headphone jack, fixed level on RCA outputs, volume knob controls headphone output only. Sound is balanced, perhaps slightly warm (although I may have a hangover from the TEAC UD-301). Subtle details are present but without any harshness.
Great image and depth, very musical and involving. Dire Straits' 'Your Latest Trick' made the hairs on my spine stand up. I find myself wanting to turn up the volume with this DAC (in a good way). Some of the other DAC's I listened to inspired me to turn down the gain in order to decrease the pain. Guess which one I'm keeping.
NAD D 1050 $500 Nicely built, horizontal or vertical orientation, headphone jack, fixed level on RCA outputs, volume knob controls headphone output only. Sound is balanced, perhaps slightly warm (although I may have a hangover from the TEAC UD-301).
Subtle details are present but without any harshness. Great image and depth, very musical and involving.
Dire Straits' 'Your Latest Trick' made the hairs on my spine stand up. I find myself wanting to turn up the volume with this DAC (in a good way). Some of the other DAC's I listened to inspired me to turn down the gain in order to decrease the pain. I bought the NAD and a Schiit Bifrost at the same time and sent back the NAD, since I didn't need the volume control and headamp features and liked the Bifrost better just on sound. More neutral, better imaging, better soundstage.
Not that the NAD is weak in these areas it's just that the Bifrost is good Schiit. Of course, later I upgraded it to a Bifrost Multibit and I think that's endgame for me. I bought the NAD and a Schiit Bifrost at the same time and sent back the NAD, since I didn't need the volume control and headamp features and liked the Bifrost better just on sound. More neutral, better imaging, better soundstage. Not that the NAD is weak in these areas it's just that the Bifrost is good Schiit. Of course, later I upgraded it to a Bifrost Multibit and I think that's endgame for me. I didn't try any of the Schiit DAC's for two reasons.
One, the Schiit SYS pre-amp/pot that I have is constructed very poorly. It sounds fine, but it looks terrible, and that kind of soured me on Schiit. Even at a $50 price point the knobs and buttons should be centered in the housing.
And two, the return policy includes a 5% restocking fee plus shipping. I sent everything I didn't want back to Crutchfield for $10 total. I didn't try any of the Schiit DAC's for two reasons.
Dac Recommendations For Mac 2017
One, the Schiit SYS pre-amp/pot that I have is constructed very poorly. It sounds fine, but it looks terrible, and that kind of soured me on Schiit. Even at a $50 price point the knobs and buttons should be centered in the housing. And two, the return policy includes a 5% restocking fee plus shipping.
I sent everything I didn't want back to Crutchfield for $10 total. Admittedly, the Schiit aesthetics are an acquired taste (hey, Schiit, how about black like everything else I own?). But I've owned multiple Schiit products and haven't had a single quality issue with any of them. YMMV, I guess. There are perhaps better, but the Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus is a 24-bit/384kHz upsampling DAC with 2xOptical, 2xCoaxial, 1xUSB, and Pre-Amp and Headphone Capabilities, and is reasonably priced - Cambridge DACMagic PLUS - $350 - New preamp mode, which allows you to connect the Plus directly to a power amp or powered speakers without the need for a separate preamp.
Dac Recommendations For Macbook Pro
Dual Wolfson WM8740 24-bit DACs Analog Devices ADSP21261 DSP; upsampling to 24-bit/384kHz Digital input word widths supported - 16 to 24bit Digital input sampling frequencies supported - 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz., 192kHz Signal to Noise Ratio - -112dBr That seems to cover all the bases.