Need Help Choosing a DAC For My Setup

[Opals]

Hello! I'm looking for a DAC to join some studio monitors/multimedia speakers and a separate subwoofer I got so they play as a unified setup.

My setup includes:

My Laptop. Outputs (relevant to audio for DACs) include: USB-C & A.
Studio Monitors/Multimedia Speakers: Edifier M60's which have USB-C and 3.5mm AUX in and ARE powered.
Subwoofer: JBL SUB150, has RCA and LFE inputs and IS powered.

Now this is a very budget setup and that is because I am not the richest college student so I'm working with a tight budget here, preferably below the $100 mark. I was thinking and the ideal input/output scenario I thought of is USB-C from my laptop into the DAC, LFE output to the powered sub, and RCA to 3.5mm into the M60's. I've watched some videos and asked ai for some recommendations on some DACs but wanted a real person's opinion who has more experience and knowledge with these than me. The ai recommended some DACs that have small amps built in (like for headphones and passive desktop speakers I assume) so it explained how that works and recommended pure DACs as an alternative. I don't know which would be best. I am looking for as much sound quality as I can get.

Just curious how this all works and what would be best. Thanks for taking time to look at this!

Edit: Thought I should add what I currently have set up right now. I have the M60's connected to my laptop via USB-C and am using them. I got the sub because I'm wanting some deeper bass, but since the M60's don't have built-in crossovers and a sub-out connection, I'm wanting a DAC in the configuration I mentioned as to act as a sort of audio hub so the audio from my computer can go into the DAC and then be split/filtered to go to the M60's and sub.

 

[raif71]

Please refer to this thread:

'Cheap DAC/Pre with sub out?'

Oct 16, 2024

For my cottage I'm setting up a 2.1 system with leftovers from my stack. Active Adam Sub, Crimson 620D amp and ye olde Mission 761 speakers.

Not willing to spend more than 200ish.

Was looking at Topping DACs but it seems not possible to connect amps and sub separately with a DX3 for example.

Are there any affordable DAC/Pre out there allowing to feed amp and sub independently? A high-/lowpass function for the outputs would be even more amazing but I guess that's out of question. Not looking for a MiniDSP solution btw.

• McGillroy
• Replies: 8
• Forum: DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface

• 

 

[JSmith]

I'm working with a tight budget here, preferably below the $100 mark. I was thinking and the ideal input/output scenario I thought of is USB-C from my laptop into the DAC

Hello and welcome to ASR.

This recently measured DAC would probably fit the bill;

'FOSI Audio Q6 Stereo DAC Review'

Aug 7, 2025

This is a review and detailed measurements of the FOSI Q6 stereo budget USB DAC. It currently sells for US $90. I am not sure who sent it to me.

I like the large and easy to use input selector. Much better than systems that force you to toggle through inputs. Back panel is what you expect:

A USB-A to USB-C/USB-A cable is provided. In the interest of time, I ran slightly abbreviated set of my DAC tests.

If you are not familiar with my DAC measurements, please watch this video:

And subscribe to the ASR youtube channel.

FOSI Audio Q6 DAC...

• amirm
• Replies: 61
• Forum: Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion

• 

JSmith

 

[DVDdoug]

Does the subwoofer have a crossover? i.e. Does it have line-level pass-through with line-outputs for your main speakers? If so, you don't need separate crossover or anything with a separate subwoofer output.

You may not need a separate DAC. The line/headphone output from your computer may be fine. If you aren't hearing noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) it's probably better than human hearing. If you are hearing noise, make sure it's not there with the computer disconnected because the amplifier in the speakers will always generate SOME noise and sometimes its audible.

If you want/need a DAC and you don't need a subwoofer output or other "features" the $10 Apple Dongle probably can't be beat!

 

[Opals]

Does the subwoofer have a crossover? i.e. Does it have line-level pass-through with line-outputs for your main speakers? If so, you don't need separate crossover or anything with a separate subwoofer output.

You may not need a separate DAC. The line/headphone output from your computer may be fine. If you aren't hearing noise (hum, hiss, or whine in the background) it's probably better than human hearing. If you are hearing noise, make sure it's not there with the computer disconnected because the amplifier in the speakers will always generate SOME noise and sometimes its audible.

If you want/need a DAC and you don't need a subwoofer output or other "features" the $10 Apple Dongle probably can't be beat!

No it doesn't appear to have a built-in crossover. Just a sub-level knob. Here's a picture of the connections:
(I also made an edit to my original post)

 

[Opals]

Hello and welcome to ASR.

This recently measured DAC would probably fit the bill;

'FOSI Audio Q6 Stereo DAC Review'

Aug 7, 2025

This is a review and detailed measurements of the FOSI Q6 stereo budget USB DAC. It currently sells for US $90. I am not sure who sent it to me.

I like the large and easy to use input selector. Much better than systems that force you to toggle through inputs. Back panel is what you expect:

A USB-A to USB-C/USB-A cable is provided. In the interest of time, I ran slightly abbreviated set of my DAC tests.

If you are not familiar with my DAC measurements, please watch this video:

And subscribe to the ASR youtube channel.

FOSI Audio Q6 DAC...

• amirm
• Replies: 61
• Forum: Digital To Analog (DAC) Reviews and Discussion

• 

JSmith

Just to post an update: I got this one and it seems to be working pretty well. Thanks for the recommendation!