Jedi_ITThere's nothing wrong with using your line out from the computer for the time being.
As they say, the greatest improvement to your music is headphone first, then amp, then DAC.
The THX AAA amp has very low THD+N and I remember others recommending a similar spec DAC for it. If you have no preference and want a good value for money DAC then the Massdrop x Grace Standard DAC might be your best option (delivery time of May 2019).
Or a Topping D30, or D50 even.
Jiv_auFor the money, Topping NX4-DSD measures well when used as just a DAC (not loaded with headphones).
Topping D50 and DX7 look decent but I haven't measured them.
And of course, Benchmark DAC3L is an impeccable performer if your budget can swing it.
AndrewMasonI was thinking about massdrops R2R Airist. I do have the Creative X7 with Burr Brown PCM1794
24-Bit Resolution
Analog Performance: − Dynamic Range: 132 dB (9 V RMS, Mono) 129 dB (4.5 V RMS, Stereo) 127 dB (2 V RMS, Stereo)
− THD+N: 0.0004%
Differential Current Output: 7.8 mA p-p
8× Oversampling Digital Filter: − Stop-Band Attenuation: –130 dB − Pass-Band Ripple: ±0.00001 dB Sampling Frequency: 10 kHz to 200 kHz
System Clock: 128, 192, 256, 384, 512, or 768 fS With Autodetect
Accepts 16- and 24-Bit Audio Data
PCM Data Formats: Standard, I2S, and Left-Justified
Optional Interface Available to External Digital Filter or DSP
Digital De-Emphasis
Digital Filter Rolloff: Sharp or Slow
Soft Mute
Zero Flag
Dual-Supply Operation: − 5-V Analog, 3.3-V Digital
5-V Tolerant Digital Inputs
Small 28-Lead SSOP Packag
My motherboard has the ES9023 which isn't half bad.
Jedi_ITI'm in the drop for MD Airist R2R to be paired with MD CTH.
This has THD+N of 0.08% which is a bit high, so i'm not sure if it would pair well with THX AAA - I'd imagine any imperfection of the R2R would be transparent through the AAA. I'd wait for the reviews before considering it.
@AndrewMason Thanks for sharing about the Topping NX4-DSD. That one seems to measure quite well at <0.0008% THD+N and cheaper.