My First External DAC Audioengine D1
gdpeck
Posts: 840
Hi All,
I just received the Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC for my desktop system. Right now the system consists of 13" Macbook pro from 2009, Audioengine a5 speakers on Auralex Speaker Dudes HD isolation pads, and a Velodyne SPL800 subwoofer, and now the D1 DAC, which is connected to the Macbook via USB. The system is wired so that the line out signal goes to the subwoofer, where a built-in crossover routes sounds above 80Hz to the Audioengine speakers. I ordered the DAC from amazon where it was fulfilled by Listen Up, an authorized Audioengine dealer. I won't attempt a detailed review, but I will say that with about 12-15 hours of use I can appreciate the differences that the DAC makes in this system. It isn't night and day, but I've noticed a few things. The music now seems to be a little bit more outside of the speakers (soundstage?). Without the DAC the sound is detailed but pretty much sounds like it is coming out of the speakers. With the DAC the sound gets outside of the speakers just a little bit. Not to the point I'm in the room with the singer, but better than it was for sure. Also instrumental details are easier to pick out and follow. For example, I was listening to the song Over You from Raphael Saadiq's Stone Rollin' Album (FLAC played through VLC). For the first time I noticed what was going on with the bass line. There wasn't more bass, and it isn't boomy, but I can distinctly hear the notes and tone of the bass. I've also noticed more distinction between voices on choral music that I've listened too, as well as a little more vocal presence.
Most of my testing has been done with the system I mentioned above, and I think that the DAC is probably a pretty significant upgrade over the built-in mac sound card. I've also done a little bit of listening with the DAC connected to the optical output of a Squeezebox classic, then connected to an NAD C 720BEE receiver played through Polk Audio Monitor 5s. With that setup, the differences were even more subtle, but consistent with what I hear in the desktop system. I played mostly FLACs and also streamed some MOG (320Kb/s mp3s) in this set up.
Connection to my Macbook was super easy, the only issue I have is that the Logitech Softsqueeze player wants to play through the computers built-in output regardless of any sound preference setting. That's why I'm using VLC. The D1 DAC also has a headphone amp, but I haven't had a chance to do any headphone listening since I got it. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase, and the value I'm getting from this new addition. Audioengine recommends ~50 hours or break-in before doing critical listening, but I like it now. I'll probably also compare it to the DAC in the Squeezebox Touch, as well as the built-in DAC in my NAD T775 AVR, when/if I get some spare time. This is my first external DAC, so I don't know what else might be out there that is better, but for the money I spent, I'm really happy.
Thanks for reading.
George
I just received the Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC for my desktop system. Right now the system consists of 13" Macbook pro from 2009, Audioengine a5 speakers on Auralex Speaker Dudes HD isolation pads, and a Velodyne SPL800 subwoofer, and now the D1 DAC, which is connected to the Macbook via USB. The system is wired so that the line out signal goes to the subwoofer, where a built-in crossover routes sounds above 80Hz to the Audioengine speakers. I ordered the DAC from amazon where it was fulfilled by Listen Up, an authorized Audioengine dealer. I won't attempt a detailed review, but I will say that with about 12-15 hours of use I can appreciate the differences that the DAC makes in this system. It isn't night and day, but I've noticed a few things. The music now seems to be a little bit more outside of the speakers (soundstage?). Without the DAC the sound is detailed but pretty much sounds like it is coming out of the speakers. With the DAC the sound gets outside of the speakers just a little bit. Not to the point I'm in the room with the singer, but better than it was for sure. Also instrumental details are easier to pick out and follow. For example, I was listening to the song Over You from Raphael Saadiq's Stone Rollin' Album (FLAC played through VLC). For the first time I noticed what was going on with the bass line. There wasn't more bass, and it isn't boomy, but I can distinctly hear the notes and tone of the bass. I've also noticed more distinction between voices on choral music that I've listened too, as well as a little more vocal presence.
Most of my testing has been done with the system I mentioned above, and I think that the DAC is probably a pretty significant upgrade over the built-in mac sound card. I've also done a little bit of listening with the DAC connected to the optical output of a Squeezebox classic, then connected to an NAD C 720BEE receiver played through Polk Audio Monitor 5s. With that setup, the differences were even more subtle, but consistent with what I hear in the desktop system. I played mostly FLACs and also streamed some MOG (320Kb/s mp3s) in this set up.
Connection to my Macbook was super easy, the only issue I have is that the Logitech Softsqueeze player wants to play through the computers built-in output regardless of any sound preference setting. That's why I'm using VLC. The D1 DAC also has a headphone amp, but I haven't had a chance to do any headphone listening since I got it. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase, and the value I'm getting from this new addition. Audioengine recommends ~50 hours or break-in before doing critical listening, but I like it now. I'll probably also compare it to the DAC in the Squeezebox Touch, as well as the built-in DAC in my NAD T775 AVR, when/if I get some spare time. This is my first external DAC, so I don't know what else might be out there that is better, but for the money I spent, I'm really happy.
Thanks for reading.
George