DAC questions

[scorpio333]

99% of my listening at home is vinyl so DAC's are a foreign concept to me. In the past week or so I have received multiple digital only copies. In order to listen to these at home I would put them on an iPod then run into the aux on an amp. Some of these files are WAV and then a bunch are HD FLAC files. Back when I was actively getting audience or soundboard recordings in FLAC, I would decode them to AIFF and toss them on the iPod. So that's what I tried with the HD files which no go on the iPod.

Currently I'm playing the AIFF in iTunes on a MacBook Pro out through headphone jack and into an amp. This can't be the best way as the sound card in a laptop is likely low fi at best.

Is this where the DAC's come into play? If so, is there a significant enough of a jump in quality to warrant it's purchase price?

[AdamG]

I use an Asus Xonar U7, and enjoy it. It can be had for $90 or so. There are many Fiio units available from $20 on up, which do a good job as well. Are they better than the laptop sound? Yes, generally. Are they enough to warrant the purchase price? Depends on what you get, and how much it costs of course! I got mine because it enables me to select between optical out for my 5.1 system and rca out for my 2-channel system, as well as a built-in headphone amplifier which sounds very nice to my ears.

[RuralTom]

99% of my listening is digital from a Mac Mini opti to a DAC.  I've come to think of DACs as a very important component, as much as a CDP, TT, etc.  I think you'll find that there are much better converters than that on your MBP, the question becomes: what price level are you looking for?

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

If you are ever looking to record analog to digital (ADC/DAC), the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a great sounding unit for the money.   I have a E-Mu 1212 card in my computer.   It totally rocks soundwise (same chip as ProTools flagship units) but the setup is wonky and having to permanently install is less than convenient.   When it dies I will go outboard USB for sure.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Since you are a vinyl guy listening to digital, let me recommend some of my vinyl rips...

http://vintagehifipgh.com/forum/index.php?topic=2162.0

[scorpio333]

The 'what you're willing to spend' is the killer question and that will take some reading up. Right now, not much since I have no idea what benefit I'd gain. We need a damn hifi library that loans out test components. My buddy has a neuhaus labs T2 which has a built in DAC. I need to convince him to let me test it out some, he's a tin foil hat wearing no computer bs guy, so that's not worked out yet.

As for vinyl rips, I have done it and intend to do more. It's time consuming. My method for that was TT > tube preamp > Mac Pro running Audacity. I haven't narrowed settings down for optimal recording, when I started doing a few the intent was to just get some vinyl to digital for iPod listening in the vehicles. The rips I've done were fine for my purpose.

[bearjew]

Schiit makes a DAC that sounds great for 100 bucks.  PBJ has it, and it works beautifully.

[vstarkwell]

I use an older model HRT Music Streamer dac connected to my Mac Mini. It sounds great and I believe can be had for short money.

[wkhanna]

I have both the Schiit Bifrost & Gungnir DACs.
My good friend has the Modi ($100).
I recommend any of them.

[RuralTom]

I have both the Schiit Bifrost & Gungnir DACs.
My good friend has the Modi ($100).
I recommend any of them.

Did you find much of a difference between the Bifrost and Gungnir?  I'm running a Bifrost and have thought about the Gungnir, but have heard both that it's more of a difference in usability than sound.