USB-DAC, seen the Nuforce uDAC-2

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LesH
LesH Posts: 77
edited February 2011 in Electronics
I'm looking for a means to get cleaner sound from my iMac (without using an AVR.) I have seen this NuForce uDAC-2 which would hook up to my iMac i7 with out a hitch and go directly into my Mackie MR8 monitors. Anyone have thoughts on this device or experience with something similar (or even an alternate suggestion they can put forward)

I should edit and say that my reasons for getting a USB-DAC is basically to get rid of the internal noise coming from the iMac 1/8 inch out and any additional sound improvement is just a bonus. This is why I am simply looking at a $129 device.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited February 2011
    I think the closest thing to the UDAC 2 is the HRT music streamer II.. which like the UDAC 2 allows for 24/96 playability through USB it runs 149.99 from several retailers. However it does not have a headphone out.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited February 2011
    After a lot of research, I just ordered an HRT Music Streamer II (for $149 via Amazon) for my PC rig. I'm currently using an Aragon D2A MKII DAC fed from a sound card in my PC. Like you, I wanted to make the jump to USB audio to reduce some of the noise and jitter caused by the sound card being inside the computer case. I know reviews can't always be trusted, but there is a lot of good press about the Music Streamer II. I'll post me impressions after it's had some time to burn in.

    Good luck!
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    I've been checking out the HRT Music Streamer II too and comparing. I think I am going to start with the NuForce simply because I like the idea of headphone amp and analog volume control. Lets keep each other posted here with the results.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited February 2011
    I haven't made my jump yet to digital, but I think i'm going to Start with the HRT MS II myself in the next little bit.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited February 2011
    Hey Lesh,

    What are you currently using for playback with your iMac, meaning what software?
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    LuSh wrote: »
    Hey Lesh,

    What are you currently using for playback with your iMac, meaning what software?

    Currently I am using iTunes only. Additional suggestions welcomed. I've lost or had stolen most of my good sourced music, I think I have maybe 10 flac files on the computer at the moment. I've had this computer for 6 months now and have not transferred any of my music collection over from a backup disk. Yes, I am that busy. Flac files I tend to play with VLC just because it is my go to media player.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2011
    LesH wrote: »
    Currently I am using iTunes only. Additional suggestions welcomed. ....

    I use foobar 2000. It's free, light weight, customizable, and can play and convert just about anything out there.

    Another plus to that nuforce usb dac is that it has a SPDIF out, so if you ever want to upgrade to a better DAC you'll have tons of options.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    So, the Nuforce uDAC-2 does what they says it will do, yet I am not 100% happy at the moment.

    Installation is a breeze on the iMac. Plug it in to USB and the device just appears under input and output sources. The analog volume knob has a good feel to it. I like the red color.

    Unfortunately, I can still here line noise coming from the iMac through the Mackies. I do have the volume set at max on them though. The moment the usb connection is made between the iMac and uDAC, I can hear noise, even when the device is off.

    I guess I could keep the volume on the Mackies at 3/4 or something, but it's a pain to reach around the back of each monitor to adjust the volume to 100% for when I want to really blast them.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    LesH wrote: »
    So, the Nuforce uDAC-2 does what they says it will do, yet I am not 100% happy at the moment.

    Installation is a breeze on the iMac. Plug it in to USB and the device just appears under input and output sources. The analog volume knob has a good feel to it. I like the red color.

    Unfortunately, I can still here line noise coming from the iMac through the Mackies. I do have the volume set at max on them though. The moment the usb connection is made between the iMac and uDAC, I can hear noise, even when the device is off.

    I guess I could keep the volume on the Mackies at 3/4 or something, but it's a pain to reach around the back of each monitor to adjust the volume to 100% for when I want to really blast them.

    I wonder if having an internal amp (headphone) might be a source of noise?
    If you are not using the other outputs on the unit, you might want to try some rca caps on them.
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited February 2011
    did you hear the noise before running the DAC?
    Are those active mackies, and if so, are they plugged into different outlets?
    Have you tried using your fiber optic out on your iMac?
    Is the noise in one channel or both?
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    pepster wrote: »
    I wonder if having an internal amp (headphone) might be a source of noise?
    If you are not using the other outputs on the unit, you might want to try some rca caps on them.

    Well, the uDAC-2 is a USB-DAC so I you will have to enlighten me on how an internal headphone amp would be source of noise.

    I did plan on testing the the uDAC with other computers and just now realized I had my work laptop open right here too. (Working on Saturday morning, yes.) I simply unplugged the usb from the mac and right into the side of a Dell lapy.

    It was instantly recognized, I selected the default sound device, cranked the Mackie's volumes to 100%; and guess what? Zero line noise. So, no fault of the uDAC it seems after minimal testing. There was a very minor hiss through the Mackies when the volume knob on the uDAC was cranked all the way up. Faint, faint hiss though.

    Now I am less happy with my 27" i7 iMac than I was before.

    Any suggestions on cleaning up the "signal" coming out of the iMac USB would be appreciated.


    EDIT: If you are referring to the Nuforce's internal headphone amp, then no, that is not a source of line noise. Interestingly enough though, I cannot hear the line noise over headphones when running from the iMac but I attribute that to having Icemat Audio headphones and some better Senn or Grado cans.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    Have you tried running the Mackies with a pair of headphones plugged in, or is that an option?
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    pepster wrote: »
    Have you tried running the Mackies with a pair of headphones plugged in, or is that an option?

    It's not an option. Each Mackie has it's own amp in it and they only have signal inputs, not signal outs.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    pepster wrote: »
    Have you tried running the Mackies with a pair of headphones plugged in, or is that an option?

    I meant run it just like it is (hooked to the Mackies) with the addition of a pair of headphones plugged in also.

    Run both at the same time to see if it eliminates that "hiss".
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    pepster wrote: »
    I meant run it just like it is (hooked to the Mackies) with the addition of a pair of headphones plugged in also.

    Run both at the same time to see if it eliminates that "hiss".

    Yes, the hiss is gone as the sound is routed through the headphones.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    I guess I am not being clear, sorry.
    Can you run it hooked up to the Mackies the way you run them, and still use the headphones?
    Not one or the other.
    Can you run headphones and the Mackies at the same time?
    Analog (I assume) out to Mackies, and plug in the headphones and get sound from both?
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  • LesH
    LesH Posts: 77
    edited February 2011
    pepster wrote: »
    I guess I am not being clear, sorry.
    Can you run it hooked up to the Mackies the way you run them, and still use the headphones?
    Not one or the other.
    Can you run headphones and the Mackies at the same time?
    Analog (I assume) out to Mackies, and plug in the headphones and get sound from both?

    Ah, no. Just like most 1/8" outs meant for headphones, once you plug them in the sound through the RCA outs is cut and only the headphones have signal.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2011
    Well,
    The only reason I asked was I had a Marantz or HK (can't remember) years ago that would do it, and actually sounded better through the speakers when headphones were plugged in also.
    Seemed like a lower noise floor to my ears.

    Hope you get it figured out.
    I have read good things about the Stello U2, but you would have to get behind those Mackies everytime to turn it up or down, and it is more expensive.:confused:

    Best of luck, may be able to come up with something with some more research (from people other than myself:biggrin:).

    I believe there are some dac forums on the net, may pose your question there.
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