Should I get a DAC for iMac?

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tseryan
tseryan Posts: 12
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Does anyone have any experiences with DACs? I'm considering getting one for my iMac which is connected to a Carver TFM-35 and two RTi8s. Would it noticeably improve sound quality? I'm looking at the FUBAR II USB DAC, which is the only one I've found within my budget (under $150).
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  • mizthuphee
    mizthuphee Posts: 55
    edited August 2008
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    You will surely notice an improvement. checkout: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/forum/4 you'll learn a lot about computer base music server.
    HT / 2 Channel combo system:
    LSi9 (xo modified by Face), LSiC, LSi-FX
    Mac mini 2010 boot up in 64 bit kernel (2.66 GHz 8GB RAM,60 GB SSD)>itunes> 2TB mini Stack v3>Pure Music>W4S DAC2>Conrad-Johnson PV14>W4S SX1000
    oppo BDP 85SE
    Onkyo TX-SR876
    Emotiva XPA-5
    HSU VTF-1
    Samsung LN4095D
    MIT S3 speaker cables (LR & C) & interconnects
    MIT EXP 2 (L & R surrounds)
    Pangea PC A-9's and A-14SE's
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  • JoeLR
    JoeLR Posts: 19
    edited August 2008
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    I use an Apogee Duet (firewire DAC) w/ my Macbook pro--for listening only; I am NOT a musician. When I actually used my MBP for music playback, it made a marked difference. I ended up selling my integrated amp & bookshelf speakers to focus on my 2-channel system. The Duet is relegated to outputing audio to my "2-channel HT" for when I watch MLB.tv...I know, a waste...
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited August 2008
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    It made a good difference for my computer rig. I am using the AMC 8 DAC via optical and I got it for less than $100 used. It is component size, so not little like the FUBAR, but I will never go back to an integrated.
    Jake
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  • GEBBY44
    GEBBY44 Posts: 939
    edited August 2008
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    Not to thread jack, but just to expand, I actually was wondering something similar. Would either of the DAC's available for sale right now (Audio Alchemy DDE or Theta Progeny) make a marked improvement over the DAC's in a mid receiver like Onkyo 805? Just using the digital out on the sound card to the Onkyo sounds pretty good, but I'm just wondering if the difference is very large on lower end mid-fi gear.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited August 2008
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    The Audio Alchemy would be a bit of an upgrade IMO, but the Theta Progeny would be a huge upgrade for your listening over an integrated DAC. Shoot, I would love to add the Theta to my rig!
    Jake
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