Inexpensive USB DAC that rocks ???

[TechLarry]

I've had enough with soundblaster, and the on board Realtek doesn't do it for me.

I'm looking for a sub $100 DAC that makes great music. I've got nearly $1000 in audio attached to this machine, and I want it fed appropriately.

It needs to provide at least 3.5mm output and be able to control the volume from the computer.

It would be nice if the software had a level booster as well. I'm running a passive mixer that doesn't quite output 100% levels.

And no BS under Windows 10

 

[TechLarry]

Would this be the Schiit ?

http://www.amazon.com/Modi-USB-Digi..._sbs_23_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1B94VDRN1XSHYY1S8W2Z

I also have a Line 6 Amplifi TT that can also act as a sound card/usb DAC but I have no idea what the quality level of the SC portion is.

 

[TechLarry]

Update: I plugged in the usb on the Line6 Amplifi TT and, by golly, it's got what sounds like a pretty damn nice DAC in it

Have no idea who makes the DAC. The Device manager says:

USB\VID_0E41&PID_5064&REV_0200
USB\VID_0E41&PID_5064


Which don't mean shit to me.

 

[SixFootDuo]

You know, it's funny. I have the same issues as you. I have the newest Creative sound card but because the driver issues I have are terrible not even including the fact Creative updates their sound drivers ONCE a year if you're lucky. So I pulled the card. The on-board solution works fine but I don't think the quality is there.

Anyways, I've literally been looking at usb dacs for a week everyday for hours. Most are cheap Chinese made that I just couldn't get into. There are many that are super expensive. I've spent at least 15 - 20 hours doing research.

I finally settled on the Asus Xonar U7 usb / dac with 7.1 support and a ton of connection options it's also a head-phone amp that supports up to 600 ohm. The reviews and technical tests passed with flying colors. I use high-end studio monitors, KRK and the KRK sub. I already get pretty damn good sound but I hope this usb / dac adds at least some additional quality to the mix.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Xonar-U7-Sound-Card/dp/B00E7QA9E0

 

[TechLarry]

I'm using a similar setup but with the M-Audio 12" Subwoofer and M-Audio M3-6 Monitors.

I'll take a look at the ASUS. I may still go the external route for more flexibility.

But the L6 is doing pretty good

 

[TechLarry]

Does the ASUS have Win10 Drivers?

 

[Eulogy]

$1k in audio? That's it? My last pair of headphones were more than that .

A decent DAC would be the Schiit Modi2. It sounds pretty dang decent - hits far above its price suggests. The Magni 2 amp with it is a nice,small foot print pairing if you need a headphone amp. Since you're running active monitors, though, I'm betting you can skip the amp.

Edit: I just looked up those monitors / sub. The Schiit will be a good match for them - they would actually be the weak link in that setup.

 

[MrGuvernment]

Fiio, they all rock.

http://www.fiio.net/en/products

X1 but i would say X3 (2nd gen) if you can afford it.

 

[TechLarry]

$1k in audio? That's it? My last pair of headphones were more than that .

A decent DAC would be the Schiit Modi2. It sounds pretty dang decent - hits far above its price suggests. The Magni 2 amp with it is a nice,small foot print pairing if you need a headphone amp. Since you're running active monitors, though, I'm betting you can skip the amp.

Edit: I just looked up those monitors / sub. The Schiit will be a good match for them - they would actually be the weak link in that setup.

Hmmm... A 560 watt weak link as a computer audio system. Oh, the first world problems we must bear LOL

 

[TechLarry]

Modi2 it is....

 

[B00nie]

Hmmm... A 560 watt weak link as a computer audio system. Oh, the first world problems we must bear LOL

The amount of watts are meaningless. I have a 2500 watt amp for the bass and I would never use it for the main speakers. A 10 watt amplifier can sound way better than a 10 kilowatt one.

Of course you won't be hosting a party with 10 watt