DAC

[dancefloorwizard1210]

I have a focusrite saffire LE. It was bought as an audio interface for my laptop when I used to make music.

Ive just invested in a my first proper hi fi, and im wondering if it will suffice as a dac between my computer and my amp, or should I really be investing in a decent hi fi specific DAC?

Would I notice the difference between the 2?

 

[Infiniteloop]

I would definitely go and audition a proper DAC.

 

[dancefloorwizard1210]

How big a difference will it make though? WIll I clearly notice an improvement or is it likely to be subtle?

 

[BigH]

I would definitely go and audition a proper DAC.

proper DAC what's one of them.?

 

[BigH]

How big a difference will it make though? WIll I clearly notice an improvement or is it likely to be subtle?

I have not heard your DAC, my experience of DACs is the differences are subtle. Best to hear some to be sure.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I would definitely go and audition a proper DAC.

proper DAC what's one of them.?

In my experience they vary quite a bit depending on what conversion architecture they use.

If I was the OP, I'd go and listen to a few to decide which I preferred.

 

[davedotco]

I would definitely go and audition a proper DAC.

proper DAC what's one of them.?

In my experience they vary quite a bit depending on what conversion architecture they use.

If I was the OP, I'd go and listen to a few to decide which I preferred.

The Focusrite is a pro standard audio interface and will be absolutely fine as a dac. Spend the money elsewhere, where it can be more use.

 

[cheeseboy]

The Focusrite is a pro standard audio interface and will be absolutely fine as a dac. Spend the money elsewhere, where it can be more use.

yeh, what dave said. The LE uses the cirrus logic CS42432 dac, so should sound pretty good. You'd probably have to spend a heck of a lot more for a hifi branded thing that does the same job to be honest.

 

[steve_1979]

A hifi DAC will have nicer aesthetics but that is likely to be the only difference.

As far as sound quality goes what you already have will be very good and there's no point upgrading if the sound quality is you only concern.

 

[Overdose]

How big a difference will it make though? WIll I clearly notice an improvement or is it likely to be subtle?

An audio interface is a DAC and the main difference between a Pro audio piece of equipment and a hifi one is uasually about how much more money the hifi unit costs. Other differences affect functionality, but if your current interface suits your purpose, replacing it with a hifi DAC will likely be a waste of money.

Performance wise, there's nothing in it.