I regularly watch and listen to music posted on youtube through my stereo setup. I currently use the "headphone" output of the PC with a 1/8" stereo to dual RCA adapter and into the AUX connection of my stereo preamp which feeds my power amp and speakers. Can someone recommend a simple interface, 2-channels only, that would provide better sound than what is coming out of the headphone jack? I would like to keep the cost under $150.00. Thanks
Yes get an audio interface, literally anything you can buy including a cheap(under $10) micro USB interface adapter/cable produces better sound than the headphone output of a typical laptop.
any opinions on the AudioQuest Dragonfly Black?
https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-cobalt
https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-cobalt
I was about to recommend the Black version as a low cost, good quality solution.
Costs £79 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AudioQuest...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413736778873&psc=1
Costs £79 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AudioQuest...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413736778873&psc=1
AudioQuest stuff is way overpriced in my opinion. I would go for a Fiio BTR5, it will blow away the Dragonfly:
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-BTR5-20...5&qid=1675709717&sprefix=fiio+,aps,185&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-BTR5-20...5&qid=1675709717&sprefix=fiio+,aps,185&sr=8-1
I just found this, I like the no nonsense design..
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120CSDAC2/Ethereal-CS-DAC2.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120CSDAC2/Ethereal-CS-DAC2.html
At £120, the FiiO BTR5 2021 adds bluetooth capability and a built-in battery for extra headphone power, both of which you may not require.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FIIO-BTR5-...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276312198892&psc=1
The Ethereal to which you have linked does not have a USB input.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FIIO-BTR5-...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276312198892&psc=1
The Ethereal to which you have linked does not have a USB input.
I see.
It has "optical digital" and "coax digital" inputs, are either of those compatible with a standard desktop PC?
It has "optical digital" and "coax digital" inputs, are either of those compatible with a standard desktop PC?
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This looks to be simple yet high quality. A little more than I wanted to spend but it may be worth it...
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_772D1/Audioengine-D1.html?tp=59340
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_772D1/Audioengine-D1.html?tp=59340
Zen Air DAC by iFi Audio is another worth considering at £99.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iFi-ZEN-Air-DAC-Resolution/dp/B09T6Y27R1/ref=sr_1_3_mod_primary_new?crid=11JM4ALS1KU0V&keywords=iFi+audio+zen+air+dac&qid=1675725056&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=ifi+audio+zen+air+dac,aps,322&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iFi-ZEN-Air-DAC-Resolution/dp/B09T6Y27R1/ref=sr_1_3_mod_primary_new?crid=11JM4ALS1KU0V&keywords=iFi+audio+zen+air+dac&qid=1675725056&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sprefix=ifi+audio+zen+air+dac,aps,322&sr=8-3
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Right now I'm listening to spotify on my laptop with a USB C audio dongle from Apple. Sounds flawless to me at 24bit, 48kHz.
If you're using the headphone output port of your PC this is a drop-in replacement, just a lot better. Same headphone port, same output voltage. You probably won't even have to adjust the volume control on your amp.
THD+N is slightly above 0.001%, dynamic range is 113dB, as tested by Audio Science Review. It's €10. Should be the same in US $. Just get one from an online retailer with a decent return policy and give it a try. Honestly, for youtube, anything beyond that is overkill. And even if you dislike it and forget to return it, you're only out $10.
If you're using the headphone output port of your PC this is a drop-in replacement, just a lot better. Same headphone port, same output voltage. You probably won't even have to adjust the volume control on your amp.
THD+N is slightly above 0.001%, dynamic range is 113dB, as tested by Audio Science Review. It's €10. Should be the same in US $. Just get one from an online retailer with a decent return policy and give it a try. Honestly, for youtube, anything beyond that is overkill. And even if you dislike it and forget to return it, you're only out $10.
I have never given DAC's much thought, most of my listening is from LP, CD and FM. There must be some advantages of a DAC such as the Audioengine D-1 or ZEN over a low cost dongle suggested by the previous poster.
What would be some of the applications beyond youtube that would justify spending $100-200 for a DAC ?
What would be some of the applications beyond youtube that would justify spending $100-200 for a DAC ?
I like shiit stuff. They are good value. They have usb dacs, budget friendly.
Apple has a very modern custom chip made by cirrus logic. It contains a USB interface, a DAC and a headphone amplifier / line driver. All those components are separate in most DACs. In the Apple dongle everything is contained on one miniscule chip, manufactured by the millions. That's why it's so cheap.
A more expensive DAC can have a higher output voltage and play higher sampling rates.
Running an equalizer that needs a lot of headroom would be one, the other would be requiring a higher output voltage. Usually one leads to the other.
Bear in mind that the specs of the Apple DAC already go beyond the limits of the CD medium. CDs have a dynamic range of 96 dB. The dongle has a signal to noise ratio of 99 dB.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...pple-vs-google-usb-c-headphone-adapters.5541/
Laptop running on batterries has lower noise v/s when charger is connected
Thank you.
Is all of this true when using the Apple device as a line level input into a preamp/amp/speakers?