Dac through usb, is it worth it?

[admin_exported]

Im currently using a marrantz pm5003 amp and a pair of q-acoustic's 2010's hooked up to my pc using spotify premium using a cheap line in cable. I want to add a dac to use through the usb, i know the sampling rate isnt as high as an optical connection or spdif, is there going to be a big loss in sound quality by using the usb? im thinking of buying a musical fidelity v-dac or an arcam r-dac, i wont be able to demo either so any thought's would most welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

Is using a DAC via USB worth it for Spotify Premium?

Yes most definitely.

 

[Anonymous]

I also used a cable before I bought a DAC and the step up was immense, I think you will be extremely happy with either of the DAC's you mention. The Dacmagic and Rega Dac are two other contenders depending on budget.

 

[Anonymous]

I also used a cable before I bought a DAC and the step up was immense, I think you will be extremely happy with either of the DAC's you mention. The Dacmagic and Rega Dac are two other contenders depending on budget.

 

[Cypher]

I use the HRT music streamer II........nice price and a very nice sound.

 

[the record spot]

If you're going off the computer, do consider the UA25-EX from Roland. It's a pro-audio device and is USB. It runs off your computer so there's no additional plug for it. Pricewise, it's around £140, but a powered one is out there for around £260. Great reviews. You might also see it under the Cakewalk or Edirol name, both of which are owned by Roland.

 

[Messiah]

I would also recommend a USB DAC over a standard connection.

I used the Beresford 7520 and was impressed with the results. The Beresford also has additional inputs if you ever need them and a decent headphone amp.

 

[Anonymous]

There's also the HiFace, Evo and Halide Bridge worth looking into

 

[Anonymous]

Thank's for all the advice, i have just bought a musical fidelity v-dac with a wireworld ultraviolet usb cable, both should arrive in a couple of day's, i will post my thought's after a serious listen!

 

[MajorFubar]

USB2 is more than fast enough to stream two-channel, CD-quality digital audio to an outboard DAC.
It can stream fast enough for my USB CD writer to cut a 74-minute CD in less than a tenth of the time, so streaming the same data in real-time to an outboard DAC is barely making it sweat.

 

[Anonymous]

The v-dac has arrived and is hooked up, the dac sound's fantastic, smooth and powerful, vocal's are silky, for 160 pound's the dac is a steal.