Inexpensive USB DAC recommendation?

[Dargent0628]

Hey guys, I'm dedicating an old laptop as a media center and plan on playing hi-def tracks with VLC through the home rig. I've already experimented with an audio y splitter from the headphone jack to the aux on my Denon avr591 and now I want to upgrade with a good USB DAC. How about Dragonfly? Or other recommendations on a budget? Also, any connection advice in terms of inputs and connectors? Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Does laptop has hdmi out?
if it doesn't this should do the trick - Amazon.com: Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro II USB Analog & Digital Audio Adapter: Electronics
then plug digital from turtle beach to denon.

do read the reviews

 

[j_garcia]

How inexpensive is inexpensive? I had considered that Turtle Beach until I read the reviews saying some had driver issues. This one I've had zero issues with (on BSA's recommendation too):

Amazon.com: Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface: Musical Instruments

Then there's:

D1 24-bit DAC

 

[Nestor]

What about taking advantage of the DAC in the AVR with a USB to SPDIF converter?

 

[bikemig]

Also this Amazon.com: AudioQuest DragonFly USB Digital to Analog Converter (Black) Version 1.0: Electronics. This is version 1.0; version 1.2 is out and it is more expensive, Amazon.com: AUDIOQUEST - DRAGONFLY V1.2 USB DAC: Electronics

 

[j_garcia]

What about taking advantage of the DAC in the AVR with a USB to SPDIF converter?

That's how I use the UCA202. Works fine in that regard. I tried it via analog and the results were not quite as good.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That's how I use the UCA202. Works fine in that regard. I tried it via analog and the results were not quite as good.

I forgot uca202 has spd/if out Yes - it also works fine. Do keep in mind UCA202 is limited to 48/16. Not suitable for HD tracks.
Turtle does drivers issue, but if one is brave enough to tackle....

For the record: I hate UCA202 headphone out - it really sucks , but RCA line out works just fine for casual listening...

 

[Dargent0628]

Ah thanks for the quick response! Time to do some research! No hemi on the laptop

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[j_garcia]

For the record: I hate UCA202 headphone out - it really sucks...

Yup. I tried it once and it really does suck.

 

[Nestor]

I forgot uca202 has spd/if out Yes - it also works fine. Do keep in mind UCA202 is limited to 48/16. Not suitable for HD tracks.
Turtle does drivers issue, but if one is brave enough to tackle....

For the record: I hate UCA202 headphone out - it really sucks , but RCA line out works just fine for casual listening...

I've no experience with this one, but it does have 24/192....

X1 24/192 USB to SPDIF Converter | Peachtree Audio

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ah thanks for the quick response! Time to do some research! No hemi on the laptop

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hmmm... Need to get check if my powerhorse desktop is running hemi or not

 

[j_garcia]

DYAC! "Dude that thing got a hemi?" Blame Tapatalk

 

[Dargent0628]

My Acer rocks a straight 6 baby

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[Dargent0628]

So the turtle beach intrigues me at the price point...read the reviews...The driver hiccups don't worry me I actually enjoy solving driver puzzles after rooting all my phones I'm used to poking around in device manager. Does the Tb process up to 48/16 only? And do you HAVE to use optical I think the Apple tv is using that but then again if I set this up properly it might make the ATV superfluous.

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[Dargent0628]

Hmm...I've been doing some reading on the AudioEngine D1 that jgarcia linked...the specs are impressive. Anyone have any personal experience with it, or opinion?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have a D1. It helped me to drastically reduce humm i was getting from a noisy pci sound card. It has excellent headphone amp. Only ding vs it is a bit weird volume control. It's a bit hard to get used to

 

[Dargent0628]

BSA do you think it would serve well as a more or less permanent interface between a hoc and my avr for HD audio?

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[Dargent0628]

Damn tapatalk HTPC

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[nogaro]

Hey guys, I'm dedicating an old laptop as a media center and plan on playing hi-def tracks with VLC through the home rig. I've already experimented with an audio y splitter from the headphone jack to the aux on my Denon avr591 and now I want to upgrade with a good USB DAC. How about Dragonfly? Or other recommendations on a budget? Also, any connection advice in terms of inputs and connectors? Thanks!

Have you looked at hifimediy? They have some good and inexpensive options.

 

[bikemig]

Hmm...I've been doing some reading on the AudioEngine D1 that jgarcia linked...the specs are impressive. Anyone have any personal experience with it, or opinion?

I like it a lot; it's hard to beat for the price. I'm using it at work with a pair of emo airmotiv 4s. It is very transparent and the headphone amp does a nice job of driving my cans.