• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

DAC / AMP - Same thing?

T

topslop1

2[H]4U
Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
3,185
Please explain to me the difference between a DAC and an Amp. Is one necessary? Are both? I have HD580's from yesteryear and I'm wondering if a DAC/AMP would help them, or a new soundcard would help them, or if all of the above.

Is USB DAC a better option than using a soundcard?

Quite confused at this point.
 
Last edited:
DAC = Digital to Analog Converter. Think of it this way, if you play a FLAC audio file from your pc, that is a digital file (1's and 0's). Your computer will take the processing of that digital audio file, and Converter it to an analog signal that your speakers can use. So, the headphone output from your PC is outputting analog audio, which has already been converted in your PC. Different DAC's reproduce/converter files different ways. Some offer options that cheaper ones won't (file restoration, crystallization, surround sound).

AMP = is taking that analog audio coming out of your PC and amplifying it for use with your higher powered Headphones. Most on board sound cards have cheap amp's. The better the amp, the more clarity and presence the sound will have. (Whether your using headphones or speakers)


USB DAC is just processing the audio on the device itself instead of your PC's sound card. Some USB DAC's also have built in amp's. Creative has a pretty cool one called the Sound Blaster E5.

Really depends on what you get with them. I use the Creative X7, since I like not being tied to a PCI/PCIe slot, but I also want the little bells and whistles. True studio audio aficionados may have more to add. I am your typical music listener/game player.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top