2. digital
  3. 155100-141476

does MacBook Pro need a DAC?

Not an engineer with a basic question. Just got a new MacBook Pro. It has AudioMIDI setup with format up to 96k hz.
I am using it by plugging in a cable into a headphone jack with the other end going into the receiver. A friend suggested I get a DAC. but I don't see what purpose would an additional DAC serve. Isn't my MacBook Pro already converting digital to analog signal? and is it doing it efficiently? enough for high quality reproduction? thanks in advance to all who respond
petar3

Showing 1 response by mwinkc

mwinkc
377 posts
 
Coincedently, this weekend I received a used, Audioquest dragonfly, black that I bought for $50 on eBay.
It was a very noticeable improvement over my 2016 MacBook Pro's analog output. The mids and highs were much more clearly defined...making the Mac DAC seem quite muddy and distorted.
It's not as good as using the DAC in my Marantz cd6006, but it's portable...like my laptop.
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