I have a headroom total bithead right now, which goes out of the USB of any computer (instantly recognized as a destination for sound out in your preferences) and to some ultimate ears or powered monitors. it's more than okay and a huge improvement over the minijack out for the cans. however, I am looking into the apogee mini-dac, and the wavelength brick, for a more permanent setup with a computer that I might leave in my main system. another thing I tried is the new outlaw rr2150 receiver, which is a strong integrated amp that has a USB input. sounds pretty great for the money
DACs: Airport Express vs waveterminal vs mini-dac
I know this is impossible to quantify, but with a good stereo system (Cayin TA30 tube integrated amp & Green Mountain Audio Europa speakers), what's the magnitude of difference using the following dacs?
Airport Express (I already have the AX, and can connect it to the integrated amp with RCA's [analog])
Waveterminal U24: computer to USB to waveterminal to amp (waveterminal does the DA conversion)
Inexpensive DAC like ART DIO with waveterminal: computer to USB to waveterminal to ART DIO to amp (ART DIO does DA conversion)
Apogee mini-dac: computer to USB to mini-dac to amp
Other?
What's the best bang for the buck?
Airport Express (I already have the AX, and can connect it to the integrated amp with RCA's [analog])
Waveterminal U24: computer to USB to waveterminal to amp (waveterminal does the DA conversion)
Inexpensive DAC like ART DIO with waveterminal: computer to USB to waveterminal to ART DIO to amp (ART DIO does DA conversion)
Apogee mini-dac: computer to USB to mini-dac to amp
Other?
What's the best bang for the buck?