Budget DAC. USB-DAC for a standard computer

Many users of PCs and laptops want to make their devices sound more qualitative. Built-in sound cards do not achieve this effect. And here on the stage come external entry-level devices that are able to convert and produce high-quality sound. Budget DAC - very useful thing, if the owner of the PC is an audiophile. However audiophile DACs can not be budgetary. This is more for fans of quality sound. Be that as it may, it's worth considering the most popular models to choose the best audio processor. This business is not easy. You will see for yourself.

Why DACs

The fact that the built-in sound card can not provide a decent sound in any way (especially with a high-end acoustic system). Although in most built-in "sounders" and shows a sampling frequency of 192 kHz, and depth is 32 bits, this is far from the case. But the external DAC is quite capable of providing such a sound quality. But this device is also decent. Although there are very cheap models that connect to a PC or laptop using a USB connector. Such devices look like an optimal solution for the average user. But audiophiles and professional musicians such audio processor does not fit.

However, not a single DAC ... To ensure high-quality sound is important not only an audio processor. Other components of the system are of great importance: computer, acoustics and the rest. In order to successfully use the USB-DAC, you need to have an appropriate PC. About this now and talk.

Choosing a PC

Any vibration and any radiation can affect the case of the audio processor. Therefore, the computer should work as quietly as possible. In an ideal - noiseless. The trouble is that most "boxes" do not know how to do this. They roar with all their coolers, like "Ferrari" on afterburner. Therefore, to work with the DAC, the best option is a laptop. Ideally - ultrabook (they are more quiet). Hypothetically, the system unit can also be made to work silently, but it's absolutely not recommended to do it yourself, because you can degrade the cooling of components and the entire system will be closed. A laptop is the optimal solution. Now you can choose a budget DAC with high-quality sound.

Arkam irDAC

This minimal external DAC is difficult to call budget. Its price is closer to the cost of mid-range models, but it's worth it. It provides seamless audio conversion to the standard 24/192, it has a bunch of connectors for connecting the stereo and headphones and interacts with the computer via USB. The gadget is even equipped with a remote control. But he looks like he was bought on a flea market. Officially Arkam is imprisoned for Apple devices. But he does an excellent job with other devices. All would be fine, but somewhat frustrating the lack of balanced outputs for connecting passive monitors. For such a price could include them in the kit.

Be that as it may, Arkam irDAC is the best budget DAC with an amplifier. Although without the support of balanced outputs and DSD. But it's not scary. Many entry-level models are limited in additional options. And this audio processor is no exception.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic Plus

This is a real combine for fans of high-quality digital sound. This device has everything (except for DSD support): balanced outputs, standard 24/192, headphone amplifier and much more. And it is much cheaper than our previous "patient". Budget DAC from Cambridge promises users high-quality sound without any significant material costs. True, provided that the remaining components of the system are also of the proper level. Without this, it will be impossible to achieve good sound.

Among all that is now offered in the market, the audio processor from Cambridge is the optimal solution. Balancing quality and price is almost perfect. By purchasing this budget DAC DAC, you will not have to regret exactly. You will always have an almost professional sound.

ASUS Xonar Essence STU

This is one of the cheapest audio processors in the modern market. However, it has all the options. There are even balanced outputs with phantom power. And this is a big rarity for devices of this class. The audio format is 24/192. Plus DSD support. This budget DAC China produces, but it does not get worse, because in the Middle Kingdom they learned to do high-quality equipment. The trouble is that it is not very easy to find this creation from ASUS. This is a terrible deficit. For the demand for it is simply inhuman.

Nevertheless, this audio processor is one of the best solutions for arranging a home studio. If desired, you can connect a multiband speaker system or single-band studio monitors. The latter option can give very interesting results. Since this USB-DAC is quite cheap, almost everyone can afford it. But do not forget about quality acoustics.

Denon DA-300USB

Miniature DAC for home use will not leave anyone indifferent. This budgetary DAC is quite capable of satisfying the wishes of even an audiophile. It has all the options put to a good audio processor: high-impedance headphone amplifier, all necessary connectors, DSD support, 24/192 format, attractive appearance. What else is needed for happiness? But the most important is its price. It is even cheaper than the product from ASUS, but it is not inferior to it in quality and functionality. A USB connector is used to connect to a PC. However, this is the standard chip audio processors of entry level.

This device can be used as a budgetary DAC for headphones. It differs from portable audio processors only in that it is difficult to take it somewhere with itself. But the sound quality is much better. And he will perfectly fit into any interior thanks to his unique design. All strictly and according to the classical canons.

TEAC UD-301

This is the undisputed leader. And not only in sound quality. It has a full set of interfaces for connecting speakers. At the customer's service, there are balanced outputs, RCA connectors, coaxial and optical connectors. In general, all that is needed is a high-quality professional device. And the price is not much higher than the previous candidate. This "monster" will be a worthy decoration of any interior and will provide first-class sound. Also there is support for DSD. And this, you must agree, is worth a lot. Budget DAC of this level is a rarity. Therefore, do not even hesitate.

True, if you buy a device of this level, then you should take care of the corresponding columns. The audiophile "golden rule" says that the speaker system should be one and a half times as expensive as the used audio processor. Only then will its full potential be revealed.

Sound Card vs Budget DAC

Many people think that if you put an advanced sound card in your PC, it can easily replace any DAC. This statement has no right to life. The fact is that an adequate card capable of giving out what the budget DAC is capable of is worth a lot. From purely practical considerations, one should not get carried away with such nonsense. And do not forget that in the sound card because of its design there is not and can not be any additional connectors (such as balanced).

So comparing the "sound card vs budget DAC" is completely useless. Even because of the design features, individual audio processors are preferred. Not to mention the price and quality of the sound. So do not chase the built-in options - they still will not be better. Only worse. And more expensive. Even semi-professional solutions cost fabulous money.

A little about DVD

In budget players, sometimes very good audio processors are installed. However, it is extremely difficult to use such devices as a DAC. Not to mention the fact that a full functional even a cheap processor from them is difficult to achieve. The best audio DACs on budget DVDs, of course, provide high-quality sound, but they are greatly curtailed in the functionality. And for many it is a decisive factor.

Such devices are enough to play movies. With music, they also do well. But at least somehow connect to this device an adequate speaker system is not possible. Not to mention the studio monitors that need a balanced connector. However, on the other hand, for home use such a system should be enough.

A little about CD

This is generally a separate topic. A quality CD player can not be budget. He must have a technology to dampen vibration and compensate for reading errors. Otherwise, the sound quality will be disgusting. Therefore, if you do not know what to choose - a budget CD player or a cheap DVD-DAC, better give priority to the latter. And the CD format is already hopelessly outdated. It will not be possible to listen to the Hi-RES stereo on the standard player. But on DVD - easily.

And besides, the DVD seems to be a more versatile solution than even the coolest CD player. For if you want on the last you can watch a movie. But with a regular CD player this will not work out exactly. Still, there is no better solution than a budget audio processor. The main thing is to equip it with a good acoustic system.

Conclusion

The choice of an audio processor is not an easy task. Among the variety of models to choose a good budget DAC is not easy. But there are quite interesting solutions for adequate money. It's important to remember that the audio processor is just the tip of the iceberg. Since without an appropriate level of speaker system, all your efforts will not succeed. Will not you listen to the sound from the DAC on the peepers from Genius? Count on your wishes according to financial possibilities. And to choose something worthy among all the variety of labor is no longer. There are a lot of good audio processors of entry level in the price range of up to fifty thousand rubles.