Really Inexpensive USB DAC

[Flac2Dac]

OK...I used to keep the 2-channel system in the Office; that way, I could listen while at the computer. Decided I'd rather be more focused on the music when I'm listening...so now they're in separate rooms.

 

But when I'm stuck at the computer...which is more than I'd like...all I have is half of a pair of crappy, old Klipsch computer speakers.

 

So I'm going to break down and get a pair of Audioengine A2s...for when I can't be in front of the good stuff. The A2s take a 3.5mm input, but I was thinking maybe I should get a decent, little cheapie USB DAC.

 

All I do is stream Rhapsody at the PC, so even something like an HRT II seems like overkill. Any thoughts...or given the source, will the 3.5mm jack sound as good as anything else not too expensive?

 

Thanks,

CD

 

[dsnyder]

Hello,

 

When I'm at the office, I use a little $30 Behringer UCA202 audio interface. It has RCA in's and out's (fixed level) plus a 1/8" stereo headphone jack with volume control. The audio interface comes with a native ASIO driver and supports 16-bit wordsize (only) and both 44.1 and 48kHz sampling rates.

 

I use it with Windows 7 64-bit, Mediamonkey, and the ASIO plugin. To play Rhapsody tracks, I download the tracks to my hard drive first (requires a Rhapsody-to-Go subscription), and then have Mediamonkey scan the Rhapsody directory to add the tracks to its library. This seems to provide the best sound (no pops or dropouts) on my notebook.

 

I have the UCA202 connected to a Behringer MON800 which drives headphones and a pair of Yamaha MSP3 monitors. The system is modest, but works great for the office. Enjoy.

 

-- David

 

 

[Flac2Dac]

Thanks for the reco David; I'll keep an eye on that Behringer. This might sound silly, but since the A2 have volume, I'd almost prefer a device that was just fixed-out.

 

CD

 

[Audio_ELF]

Theres various Chinese imports available on eBay including the Aune Mini DAC.

 

Eloise

 

[RankStranger]

Also doubles as a portable headphone amp. Sells in Australia for $119 and only $79 in the US.

 

http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/Iconmobile/index.php

 

RS

 

[roscoeiii]

Reviews of the HRT Streamers seem to suggest that they are good with lower res material. Some of the online vendors (Music Direct, for example) who sell them have 30 trial periods, so you could try it out yourself. A great line of DACs.