Is an external DAC worth it over using PC motherboard?

[Jachoo]

I have TUF z790 motherboard with the Realtek S1220A chip. This setup feeds signal to Denon stereo amp using a 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable.
Would there be any benefit to using an external DAC (like an SMSL DL200) over the integrated motherboard DAC?
I assume this would also improve headphone playback as well?

 

[RayDunzl]

Probably depends on your personal situation...

I run a Dac in the Rack.

But I don't do that much "from the computer".

TV, HDRadio, Video Player, CD Player, all go through it.

Realtek ALC1220 - a look on PC sound

If you purchased new desktop PC in last 3-4 years you probably have one of those on your motherboard. Since I spent few last weeks trying to make it work as best I could, here are few findings: 1. Technical data about the chip were already summarized here...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[AnalogSteph]

Would there be any benefit to using an external DAC (like an SMSL DL200) over the integrated motherboard DAC?

Measurably - yes. Audibly - no (assuming matched levels). The ALC1220 is capable of preamp level dynamic range and provides adequate distortion performance even at high levels. You can easily run very conservative digital levels. For desktop audio, even a more basic chip is fine.

That obviously assumes you do not encounter a ground loop.

I assume this would also improve headphone playback as well?

Possibly, if the board does not provide any low-impedance outputs... also depending on what the frontpanel wiring is like and headphone impedance. It may not hurt to have a small external headphone amp or DAC-amp.

 

[Apesbrain]

People who use PC motherboard audio sometimes report audible noise when using their PC particularly the mouse. If you don't have this problem, an external DAC is not essential. That said, an external DAC may sound different to you and you may prefer it.

 

[Tell]

If you don't here any noise then no you don't need it.

 

[Jachoo]

Thanks for the responses, I guess I am in a good position and don't need to purchase anything.
On a slightly unrelated note, the Denon DRA-F107 connected to a pair of SB-CH515A speakers makes some very quiet noise (audible at less than 30cm away). Could this be a cable connection issue or something else?

 

[Apesbrain]

Could this be a cable connection issue or something else?

Is this noise audible only on the input connected to the PC or is it audible on all inputs, e.g. Phono, CD, AUX2?

Are there any other sources connected to the rear panel of the Denon?

Does the noise level vary with volume?

 

[Jachoo]

Is this noise audible only on the input connected to the PC or is it audible on all inputs, e.g. Phono, CD, AUX2?

Are there any other sources connected to the rear panel of the Denon?

Does the noise level vary with volume?

1.The noise is audible on all inputs empty or filled.

2.No other sources.

3.No in doesn’t vary with volume.

Making me answer these questions made me realise it is most probably from the amp, right?

 

[Apesbrain]

Making me answer these questions made me realise it is most probably from the amp, right?

Yes, and I would not expect to hear any such noise except possibly on the "Phono" input which would be audible only with the volume turned up. Are there any other electrical components, transformers, "wall-wart" type plugs, computers, monitors near the receiver? Sometimes these can cause audible interference.

Next steps depend on whether and how much it bothers you. If cause is not environmental, it's probably not something that can be "fixed". You'd need a different amp.

P.S. The noise goes away when Denon is switched off, right? Otherwise, something else entirely is going on. Also, you could check if the noise is still there with the speakers disconnected. If so, something mechanical inside the amp is the cause.

 

[Jachoo]

There is a monitor next to the amp and pc is under the desk under the amp. I’ll check the rest after I come back home. Thanks for the advice.

Also no wall-wart plugs. I am in Poland, such plugs don’t exist here.

 

[drumphil]

The simple way figure out if noise you hear when using your computer is ground loop noise, which it almost always is, is to unplug the cable connecting the computer to whatever amp/preamp/powered speaker you usually connect to, and plug headphones directly into that output on the computer.

If the noise is somehow "leaking" into the audio circuitry on the motherboard, you'd expect to hear it in headphones. If you don't, then the noise only happens when you connect the computer to other electrical devices via the line output. No ground loop is possible with analog headphones connected directly to the audio outputs on the motherboard, so the problems frequently disappear when connected like that.

 

[AnalogSteph]

On a slightly unrelated note, the Denon DRA-F107 connected to a pair of SB-CH515A speakers makes some very quiet noise (audible at less than 30cm away). Could this be a cable connection issue or something else?

This may well be inherent to the amp... micro components like the F107 aren't always quite up to par with "grown-up" hi-fi. A review indicates 2x 39 W / 8 ohms at 0.064% THD and more importantly a SNR of 84 dB(A) - neither the best nor the worst result. I wouldn't rule out some audible hiss. If the hiss remains there even with the PC unplugged, you'll know what's up. (The ALC1220 is good for around 120 dB(A), that's pretty much in another universe.)

It should be a non-issue in practice, I doubt those speakers are integrating properly at distances this low anyway. Pretty weird construction, but that's '90s Technics for ya.

 

[Jachoo]

It seems that I have narrowed down the source of the noise, and it was the Denon. I was also able to double-check this by using the mute functionality, which turns off the amplifiers (both speaker and headphone). When I used this function, the noise would disappear, which means that the noise has something to do with the amp.

I mean, it could also do with the speaker connection, but I don't have any other speakers and cables to test this, so I guess I will have to live with this, and after all, it's not that big of a problem while listening to music.

Once again, thank you for all of your replies, and have a nice day!

 

[drumphil]

It seems that I have narrowed down the source of the noise, and it was the Denon. I was also able to double-check this by using the mute functionality, which turns off the amplifiers (both speaker and headphone). When I used this function, the noise would disappear, which means that the noise has something to do with the amp.

I mean, it could also do with the speaker connection, but I don't have any other speakers and cables to test this, so I guess I will have to live with this, and after all, it's not that big of a problem while listening to music.

Once again, thank you for all of your replies, and have a nice day!

I'm afraid that all you have proved is that speakers won't make any sound at all if the amplifiers are turned off... That should always be the case!

With the amplifiers turned on, but the cable from the computer disconnected, is there any noise?

It almost certainly isn't anything to to with the speakers or speaker cables. Passive components don't make any noise without outside influence.

edit: sorry, I should have read more carefully.

"1.The noise is audible on all inputs empty or filled."

If the noise is there with nothing at all connected to any of the inputs on the amp, then the problem is almost certainly the amp.

The reason I say "nothing at all connected to any of the inputs" is that I've watched someone chasing noise unplug and replug one input at a time, never getting to the point where nothing was plugged into any input. But it seems you have that covered.