What is a USB DAC? | Top five in terms...

Jan 13, 2020

irfonList? Can you list the top five?

Jan 13, 2020

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irfon

Jan 13, 2020

RayFTop five in terms of popularity? I'm not sure I have hard data on what the most popular ones are. However, the Apogee audio interfaces have always been loved by Mac users and were sold through the Apple store for a long time for their pro audio customers, and several of their models were specifically for Mac only (such as the original Duet). Personally, I used to use a Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 with my 2011 iMac. When my iMac finally bit the dirt last year, I had to switch to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 because I was never able to get it the Saffire working properly under Windows (too much fiddly BS about having the perfect Firewire interface card, etc. -- the Scarlett is USB, which simplified things tremendously). While the Firewire interfaces have always been marketed as being Windows compatible, I'd argue that they were primarily intended for the Mac market, as are Focusrite's current Thunderbolt line. Of course, most interfaces that Mac users use are Mac/Win compatible -- MOTU interfaces and the like.

(Edited)

Jan 13, 2020

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irfon

Jan 13, 2020

RayFSorry, I assumed you meant pro audio interfaces, which is what the previous reply talks about. If you meant DACs, I have no idea. I've always been looking for both output and input (and sometimes larger numbers thereof), so I've never personally looked much into just a straight DAC.

Jan 13, 2020

Jan 14, 2020

irfonActually I was taking exception to a point made in the original article: "The DACs built in to these products are poor quality, because they are designed to do one small part of a device's total functions, and on a budget." Which I, and few others, have always considered to be total hogwash, most particularly if one has a Mac. There is a long-standing, mile long thread somewhere on here on MD discussing exactly that called, oddly enough: "If you have a Mac, you don't need a DAC." The statement seems to drive Windoze users, especially those who've NEVER owned a Mac, especially crazy, and that's one of the reasons the above mentioned thread grew to its current length (Windoze boys dissing Macs). To which I make this point: Mac users don't need an auxiliary DAC or preferably DAC/Amp. The built-in DAC is quite satisfactory for music listening with headphones (4XX and 6XX for arguments sake), and to a lesser degree, with speakers, depending on the speakers. For the most part (the very large, most part) that can't be said of off the shelf Windoze boxes. The do have low-budget DACs and they do a miserable job of reproducing decent quality music. I don't say Mac users won't benefit from an external DAC/Amp, because depending on which they opt for, there are benefits to be had--some of which include higher volume levels, and certainly for driving better external speaker systems. Both reasons influenced my reasons to purchase my Jotunheim DAC/Amp--I wanted to drive a pair of powered JBL speakers (thanks MD!). The iMac drove them, but not with the XLR cables I prefer.

So, I still maintain Mac users DON'T need an external DAC (but they can have one if the want one). And I'm still willing to meet anyone who says different, being the Gym after school!

Jan 14, 2020

Jasoncav

Jan 27, 2020

RayFmaybe if you had an older mac from the days when apple cared about keeping quality components in their machines, but newer models have 48khz dacs as opposed to 96khz. In terms of "Windoze" I'd argue there are windows machines with MUCH better DACs specifically higher end gaming laptops. TLDR: macs are going to benefit from higher quality components just as much as windows machines.

Jan 27, 2020

Jan 27, 2020

JasoncavSo to equal the performance of an off-shelf iMac, a Windoze user has to buy a high-end gaming machine, even if he’s an adult, and doesn’t play games?

Jan 27, 2020

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timko

Jan 27, 2020

RayFNot only children play games.

Jan 27, 2020

Jan 27, 2020

timkoPity.

Jan 27, 2020

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Feb 3, 2020

We each have our missions in life.

Feb 3, 2020

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Jan 5, 2021

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Thoughts: The BEST Gaming Headphone for All Time?

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Launch of the EvShrug Audio Guides!

Hello everyone! I’ve been here in Drop/Massdrop for a few years, also on Head-Fi since 2008, and I’ve seen a few common questions and gaps in knowledge over the years. So, to try answering them so that I (or you) can simply link a video when a common question comes up, I “rebooted” my YouTube channel with new videos to serve as a guide for new and intermediate personal audio enthusiasts! Thanks for accepting my amateur production with a “shrug” and a subscribe, I’ll try to upload 1-2 videos a week and add them here as well. Go ahead and leave audio questions you think others would also want answered! YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4bc2SQk0h2TrE0K07t2WI5by66ArtDAb

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