Hi, please help me with a pretty basic query I think.
I have ordered a pair of Genelec 8030s (powered but analogue input) just for listening to music and some TV (2.0) from my PC source.
I have read that an audio interface can be better value than a dedicated DAC or DAC+preamp for this - even though audio interfaces focus on preamp inputs and headphone amps in addition to their DACs.
I won't be using headphones or inputs besides the PC source, so for me it's purely about the monitor out/line out sound quality
(I also want to run another pair of powered speakers in a separate room simultaneously if that's relevant).
I have read conflicting things about whether a dedicated DAC/DAC+preamp would yield better sound quality than an audio interface for this.
My budget is maybe around $100-400 USD (I'm in Australia), so I've looked at
DACs like the Toppings, Project Pre Box S2, Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus
Audio interfaces like the MOTU M2
1. I know that something like the MOTU has a good DAC and a good flat freq response from its line-outs, but what about its line-out preamp signal in general? Would any of the dedicated DACs I mention produce better (more accurate or otherwise) sound?
2. I have read about the issues with both digital and analogue volume controls degrading the signal. Is this relevant to what type of device I choose?
Thanks.
I have ordered a pair of Genelec 8030s (powered but analogue input) just for listening to music and some TV (2.0) from my PC source.
I have read that an audio interface can be better value than a dedicated DAC or DAC+preamp for this - even though audio interfaces focus on preamp inputs and headphone amps in addition to their DACs.
I won't be using headphones or inputs besides the PC source, so for me it's purely about the monitor out/line out sound quality
(I also want to run another pair of powered speakers in a separate room simultaneously if that's relevant).
I have read conflicting things about whether a dedicated DAC/DAC+preamp would yield better sound quality than an audio interface for this.
My budget is maybe around $100-400 USD (I'm in Australia), so I've looked at
DACs like the Toppings, Project Pre Box S2, Cambridge Audio Dac Magic Plus
Audio interfaces like the MOTU M2
1. I know that something like the MOTU has a good DAC and a good flat freq response from its line-outs, but what about its line-out preamp signal in general? Would any of the dedicated DACs I mention produce better (more accurate or otherwise) sound?
2. I have read about the issues with both digital and analogue volume controls degrading the signal. Is this relevant to what type of device I choose?
Thanks.