Tell us about your desktop system and listening please?

[beerandmusic]

58 minutes ago, Em2016 said:

 

Actually with USB, the ground line can also be problematic, depending on the USB source.

 

yes, i agree with that too...when i said 5v, i actually meant both the reference voltage and the ground....

 

summary being same that if your dac has good usb isolation, that the pc and software shouldn't make that much of a difference...at least that is what I am thinking..

 

[Spacehound]

2 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

 

yes, i agree with that too...when i said 5v, i actually meant both the reference voltage and the ground....

 

summary being same that if your dac has good usb isolation, that the pc and software shouldn't make that much of a difference...at least that is what I am thinking..

 

Remember most DACs don't use the 5 volts.

 

So you can tease out  the  5 volt wire (scalpel and needle) and  cut it. Always at the computer  end. So it can't act as a noisy 'antenna' close to the other wires. 

[Ralf11]

What is the cheapest USB DAC that would be an immediately noticeable upgrade over the one built in to a 2017 iMac?

 

Monitor Audio BX8 speakers are used currently