An inexpensive way to bypass the internal DAC of the computer and give yourself a dedicated external volume control is with the NuForce uDAC. It's $99, has a USB digital input, a volume control, analog output, coax digital output and a decent headphone amp. It's very impressive for the money.
Do you need a pre-amp with a digital front-end?
Hi guys:
I do not know if this should go here or in PC audio.
My question is this -- all my music is ripped on iTunes. Suppose I just take analog audio out of my iMac and feed it directly into power amplifier.
So, use the DAC in the computer and skip the pre-amp altogether. Is this crazy? Or suppose I use external DAC but still feed analog signal directly into power amp with no pre-amp.
The reason I ask is that integrated amps include a lot of stuff I don't intend to use, computer can supply pot etc., so why not spend the money on just a power amp?
Would love to hear feedback on this idea.
(Am powering Zu Druid plus B&W sealed sub in massive room with lots of room problems. Use Rotel class-d right now and don't love it)
I do not know if this should go here or in PC audio.
My question is this -- all my music is ripped on iTunes. Suppose I just take analog audio out of my iMac and feed it directly into power amplifier.
So, use the DAC in the computer and skip the pre-amp altogether. Is this crazy? Or suppose I use external DAC but still feed analog signal directly into power amp with no pre-amp.
The reason I ask is that integrated amps include a lot of stuff I don't intend to use, computer can supply pot etc., so why not spend the money on just a power amp?
Would love to hear feedback on this idea.
(Am powering Zu Druid plus B&W sealed sub in massive room with lots of room problems. Use Rotel class-d right now and don't love it)