I run my PC from audio out into my amplifier and it lacks bass.
I also run my MP3 player into the same amplifier and that lacks bass.
Today a USB DAC arrived and that has amazing bass and full sound.
Just wondering what is happening in the PC and Mp3 player to lose so much bass.
I also run my MP3 player into the same amplifier and that lacks bass.
Today a USB DAC arrived and that has amazing bass and full sound.
Just wondering what is happening in the PC and Mp3 player to lose so much bass.
USB interface using XMOS chipset is by far the best option. I think it is marginally superior to the CM6631A option.
Its just a cheap USB DAC (£6 off ebay) and uses the PCM2704 IC.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201096755326?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201096755326?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Perhaps the MP3 and PC were designed to give reasonable sound into modern bass-heavy headphones? Use a decent flat system and they could then sound bass-light.
1. shared power supply, usually low-cost switching regulators.
2. Massive amounts of radiated EMI inside a computer case
3. Hardware designed by a bean counter. If it is enough for Windows sounds, it's enough.
Apple computers pay a bit of attention to the quality of sound. In the PC arena, Sigmatel used to make some decent PC audio chips and Intel used to implement them somewhat well in their own motherboards. That was a long time ago, Intel moved on and Sigmatel was purchased by IDT and eventually died.
Now some of the bigger PC component manufacturers have started using dedicated voltage regulators, power and signal routing and dedicated I/V and headphone output amps (sadly, most of them use the NE5532), so the sound out of those is a lot improved and can match an entry level sound card. They are pretty pricey though. One of them had a motherboard with a Tube I/V 😀 😀 Click!
The TI PCMx family uses a patented jitter reduction system (SPACT) and sounds exceptional given its low pricing. It's really sad that the star of their show, the PCM2702, is moved to NRND status (though still available). That DAC is something special given its tiny BOM and overall low cost. Like you, I find the bass performance very good, much better than even $100 DACs like the FiiO, SMSL and other not so cheap Chinese DACs.
2. Massive amounts of radiated EMI inside a computer case
3. Hardware designed by a bean counter. If it is enough for Windows sounds, it's enough.
Apple computers pay a bit of attention to the quality of sound. In the PC arena, Sigmatel used to make some decent PC audio chips and Intel used to implement them somewhat well in their own motherboards. That was a long time ago, Intel moved on and Sigmatel was purchased by IDT and eventually died.
Now some of the bigger PC component manufacturers have started using dedicated voltage regulators, power and signal routing and dedicated I/V and headphone output amps (sadly, most of them use the NE5532), so the sound out of those is a lot improved and can match an entry level sound card. They are pretty pricey though. One of them had a motherboard with a Tube I/V 😀 😀 Click!
The TI PCMx family uses a patented jitter reduction system (SPACT) and sounds exceptional given its low pricing. It's really sad that the star of their show, the PCM2702, is moved to NRND status (though still available). That DAC is something special given its tiny BOM and overall low cost. Like you, I find the bass performance very good, much better than even $100 DACs like the FiiO, SMSL and other not so cheap Chinese DACs.
hi nigelwright7557,
Funny you should mention this cheap USB DAC. I bought one 6 months ago to play around with connecting my Raspberry Pi to my DAC (USB to S/PDIF). I wasn't expecting too much, but I thought for US$7 its was worth it for an experiment. Well, its still in my system and I am happy with it. While its probably not audiophile quality, it is a lot better than the cost would indicate.
regards
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