Cheap dacs? Do they work?

Frijz · 3 Jan 2014 at 18:30

Currently I'm letting my motherboard do the digital to analogue converter and then running into my Sony amp. I was looking around for usb DACs and found some for what I though were very low prices. £15-£30. Now my question is are these cheaper things even worth it or would I see little gain over my mobo audio out? Thanks

Marsman · 3 Jan 2014 at 18:51

Some are probably better than others, but if all you want is a DAC to connect your amp to, a FiiO D3 would be a good choice for £30. For the money, apparently it's very good. It doesn't have USB, so you'd have to use SPDIF out on your motherboard. I'd be surprised if your motherboard doesn't have SPDIF out connections; it's pretty common these days.

Frijz · 3 Jan 2014 at 19:30

As annoying as it is my motherboard doesn't have a SPDIF out, one of the cheapest z77 boards there is so I guess its not unexpected, may be able to pick up a sound card off of a friend with one so looks like that DAC is a good choice

Marsman · 4 Jan 2014 at 13:33

Your motherboard should have a SPDIF header, so you could buy a SPDIF PCI bracket.