Any SQ comparison for the DAC playback of lossless files with any other portable DAC/Amp out there? Toss up between the ONE &amp; Beyerdynamic A200p
1775033
I often use a DAC and headphone amp for lossless and lossy files. The One has as good a DAC, at least for recording, way better than a lot of "portable" DACs out there. For critical listening, depending on your tastes and budget, you may still prefer an audiophile grade DAC.
1325755
I don't really use the DAC part of mine. I use it to connect a better quality DAC that has no USB capability to a computer. It does this very well, and the $1000 plus DAC I'm using sounds light years better than the computer's internal DAC, of course. Given the low price, low weight, and small package of the Muse, I don't see how it could be a high quality DAC. It's the analog end of a DAC that determines its quality and sound, and analog quality is heavy, expensive, and bulky....power supplies, sizable capacitors, etc.
1080022
It's not necessary to have a DAC, I use a Schiit Modi. They released the second generation DAC and Amp that are great quality and very reasonably priced.
2180126
While i have a nice set of bowers wilkins speakers, i am not as hifi and have no vinyl. This will do the job, I think, but there are probably $400 units by other manufacturers that would be better??? i dunno, but the other weak leak would be a not having a dedicated DAC. I only use this to record segments of DirecTV music channels for long flights. At home I now just do Rhapsody or Pandora for ease... super hifi doesnt matter when you are working out in the garage with power tools. Sorry I cant tell you more
1254002
They mention a DAC onboard, but from my experience, not a very good one. Used it once...sounded terrible. I really liked the power it put out initially. After a while, it became quite harsh and fatiguing. Got rid of mine. You can go to Audiogon and get a much better amp for the same price. I like the Arcam FMJ-A19. It has all the features you want. Less power, but much cleaner, wider, & more dynamic soundstage. Outlaw does give you the "no questions asked" return policy, so, go for it if you want, but even in the manual it does not give the specs of the DAC. i would go Arcam, Creek, even NAD has a modular DAC that can be added that would be better than the outlaw (even if the DAC was not important They mention a DAC onboard, but from my experience, not a very good one. Used it once...sounded terrible. I really liked the power it put out initially. After a while, it became quite harsh and fatiguing. Got rid of mine. You can go to Audiogon and get a much better amp for the same price. I like the Arcam FMJ-A19. It has all the features you want. Less power, but much cleaner, wider, & more dynamic soundstage. Outlaw does give you the "no questions asked" return policy, so, go for it if you want, but even in the manual it does not give the specs of the DAC. i would go Arcam,... » Read More They mention a DAC onboard, but from my experience, not a very good one. Used it once...sounded terrible. I really liked the power it put out initially. After a while, it became quite harsh and fatiguing. Got rid of mine. You can go to Audiogon and get a much better amp for the same price. I like the Arcam FMJ-A19. It has all the features you want. Less power, but much cleaner, wider, & more dynamic soundstage. Outlaw does give you the "no questions asked" return policy, so, go for it if you want, but even in the manual it does not give the specs of the DAC. i would go Arcam, Creek, even NAD has a modular DAC that can be added that would be better than the outlaw (even if the DAC was not important « Show Less
1416493
I don't know how good your DAC is, but if your going to use it as a transport there may not be that much difference between the two. The 95 is great if you use the internal DACS/ analog out, otherwise save your $.
1846914
Yes, you really don't need an external dac with this unit...in fact I think that is it's main appeal. A good external amp would be a better compliment. It works pretty well as a complete unit(player, dac, amp) but getting a separate amp would allow you to custom taylor your sound to your given cans.
1146602
Much better. You won't be disappointed. There are tons of sound presets to suit your tastes, plus 4 presets that you can fully customize. Even without any enabled the sound quality is still better thanks to the Wolfson DAC in the device.
1395533
M100 is the latest but you cant find any short of difference. LP is best if you are not audiophile.
1619914
Have you tested the digital (S/PDIF) IN and OUT on linux as well? On Ubuntu 11.04, the analog connections seem to work great, but I'm not seeing an option for digital in Sound Preferences. Wondering if upgrading to a distro in the 3.x kernel series would help.
1498391
If you use i-20 SPDIF (digital coax/optical output) it should bypass its internal DAC, at least it is what PURE announces. Mine sounds amazing, but I sincerely don't know exactly where convert process occurs. In my case I've connected it through SPDIF to M1DAC Musical Fidelity and all sources connected to i-20 sounds amazing.
1455052
DAC's are not best used for video applications as they are Digital Analog Converters. They shine for two channel high resolution audio and require a 4 GB laptop and computer audio player properly set in order to get the highest quality but they fall short for today's surround sound audio. I would suggest you use a good 5.1 or greater A/V head unit with a good set of speakers. DAC's are for listening to pure sound and would do well if you don't mind a 2 channel setup but most a/v sound never approaches the bit rate required for hi res audio (5,000 Kbps 192khz) in other words unless your an audio freak it would be a waste of money
1386825
the dac is if your pc sound card or mp3 player doesnt sound so great. You probably don't need one for QC 15
1834799
These are both highly rated but I went with the Sound blaster USB 24 bit DAC after having driver issues with the sound blaster internal card. This may have been related to my computer but you can't go wrong with any of the 3. The speakers are awesome in 24 bit.
505578
yes they will sound better with a dac/amp. though they run well off just about any source, nothing beats a dac/amp combo to bring out the best in a headphone. unamped you're getting 90+% of the headphone's capability. the dac/amp gets you closer 100%. the results aren't always mind blowing and noticeable though. I run my a900x through a schiit modi dac and schiit vali amp. what I notice most is the bass is tighter and more controlled. overall clarity is also improved. because of the clarity, the soundstage sounds more open. again not a huge difference, but if you're used to the sound signature, you'll notice it. yes they will sound better with a dac/amp. though they run well off just about any source, nothing beats a dac/amp combo to bring out the best in a headphone. unamped you're getting 90+% of the headphone's capability. the dac/amp gets you closer 100%. the results aren't always mind blowing and noticeable though. I run my a900x through a schiit modi dac and schiit vali amp. what I notice most is the bass is tighter and more controlled. overall clarity is also improved. because of the clarity, the soundstage sounds more open. again not a huge difference, but if you're used to the... » Read More yes they will sound better with a dac/amp. though they run well off just about any source, nothing beats a dac/amp combo to bring out the best in a headphone. unamped you're getting 90+% of the headphone's capability. the dac/amp gets you closer 100%. the results aren't always mind blowing and noticeable though. I run my a900x through a schiit modi dac and schiit vali amp. what I notice most is the bass is tighter and more controlled. overall clarity is also improved. because of the clarity, the soundstage sounds more open. again not a huge difference, but if you're used to the sound signature, you'll notice it. « Show Less
548537
Absolutely that sounds great. I'm only a novice audiophile but I do my homework and decided not to fight the digital music era and just make the best of it by getting flac files and a tube amp to hookup the dac.
29449
Assuming your asking about Creative Airwave portable Vs Creative Airwave HD - theamplifier provides volume two times it's size.