Are notebook/computer internal DACs any good? Any test/review done?

[DVDdoug]

I've only heard a defect ONCE from a soundcard that was putting-out audible noise when the hard drive was accessed. (I assume measurable noise tends to be worse on a "soundcard".)

Sometimes the output is "weak" for driving headphones and sometimes their output impedance is (relatively) high. High output impedance combined with low headphone impedance that varies across the frequency range can cause frequency response variations. (Not an issue when using it as a line-level signal.)

If DACs are a solved problem, and a $10 dongle can be pretty great, why are computers only poor/fair/very variable?
Why aren't good enough DACs in everything - a basic commodity?

Yeah... They don't really care, plus there is a ship-load of electrical noise inside the computer. The digital is immune to noise but it can get-into the analog-side of the DAC or ADC. But like I said, I've only run-across a "bad soundcard" once. (Microphone inputs are a different story... The preamp amplifies any noise, the preamp is usually low quality, and computer soundcards simply don't work with pro stage/studio mics which have balanced connections.)

I don't own stand-alone DAC and I'm perfectly happy with the DACs built-into my antique CD player and my AVR, etc.

 

[GXAlan]

A Tale of Two PCs: Do you need an external DAC with modern computers?

HP OmniStudio X and the VAIO SX14-R The HP OmniStudio X was released August 2024 and the VAIO SX14-R was released November 2024. Both are premium PCs powered by an Intel Core Ultra 155H (Meteor Lake) processor and represent two premium PCs available on the market today. They're excellent...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Timcognito]

A bit tangential but but the well testing Snapdragon possessor/BT transmiter is on sale for $39 reg $50 with Promo Code TREAT20. FYI

https://us.creative.com/p/accessories/creative-bt-w6

 

[ZolaIII]

A bit tangential but but the well testing Snapdragon possessor/BT transmiter is on sale for $39 reg $50 with Promo Code TREAT20. FYI

https://us.creative.com/p/accessories/creative-bt-w6

Meh for the money you can get BT dongle receiver with QCC5125 + CS43131 that supports LDAC high from Android phone and doubles as USB audio 1.0 DAC. It's small as USB dongle and gives 1.75 V unbalanced output (-2 dB to 2V). Hiby W3 II.

 

[Timcognito]

Meh for the money you can get BT dongle receiver with QCC5125 + CS43131 that supports LDAC high from Android phone and doubles as USB audio 1.0 DAC. It's small as USB dongle and gives 1.75 V unbalanced output (-2 dB to 2V). Hiby W3 II.

Okay, seems good, but not a Sony fanboy as almost every Sony headphone Amir has tested fails to get a recommendation. But these type of devices solve the weakness in computers for not much money, so thanks for the recommendation.

Edit: is it a transmitter?

 

[ZolaIII]

Okay, seems good, but not a Sony fanboy as almost every Sony headphone Amir has tested fails to get a recommendation. But these type of devices solve the weakness in computers for not much money, so thanks for the recommendation.

Edit: is it a transmitter?

Only reciver, small and cute one with clip.

Can be set to come on automatically with USB power (and shut down on timer when not used). Use WiFi instead of BT when ever you can, even QC switched to WiFi 6E with recent BT SoC's (it's franken horrid property tangle needing and being limited to be used only with their latest flagship smartphones SoC's).

 

[Biagiod]

A Tale of Two PCs: Do you need an external DAC with modern computers?

HP OmniStudio X and the VAIO SX14-R The HP OmniStudio X was released August 2024 and the VAIO SX14-R was released November 2024. Both are premium PCs powered by an Intel Core Ultra 155H (Meteor Lake) processor and represent two premium PCs available on the market today. They're excellent...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Thanks

Very interesting reading