watchnerd
Grand Contributor
In my living room, my current DAC is built into my Wyred 4 Sound mPRE preamp/DAC.
I just ordered a Schiit Freya so I can finally have a preamp that combines passive, tubes, and solid state all in one.
But the Freya has no built in DAC. What do to do?
Then I remembered I had bought a $19.98 FiiO D3 for use with my previous (now dead) TV and it was lying in my parts drawer:
So can I live with a cheap as hell DAC?
My objectivist side says differences in competent DACs is minimal and that I likely won't notice a difference vs a more expensive DAC unless I do direct A/B comparisons. That in the long run, for casual listening, it really shouldn't matter.
The gear slut side of me will be neurotic and unsettled by using such a cheap piece of gear that it will be constantly looking for flaws.
This may be a life-changing (okay, hobby-changing) experiment for me, just like it was when I proved to myself I couldn't differentiate regular lossless from high resolution.
Anyone else want to join me on this trip? Only $20 to find out if DACs really make a difference or not.
I just ordered a Schiit Freya so I can finally have a preamp that combines passive, tubes, and solid state all in one.
But the Freya has no built in DAC. What do to do?
Then I remembered I had bought a $19.98 FiiO D3 for use with my previous (now dead) TV and it was lying in my parts drawer:
So can I live with a cheap as hell DAC?
My objectivist side says differences in competent DACs is minimal and that I likely won't notice a difference vs a more expensive DAC unless I do direct A/B comparisons. That in the long run, for casual listening, it really shouldn't matter.
The gear slut side of me will be neurotic and unsettled by using such a cheap piece of gear that it will be constantly looking for flaws.
This may be a life-changing (okay, hobby-changing) experiment for me, just like it was when I proved to myself I couldn't differentiate regular lossless from high resolution.
Anyone else want to join me on this trip? Only $20 to find out if DACs really make a difference or not.