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Low Cost DACs

Currently I have my laptop connected directly via 1/8 jack from headphone outlet into 2 RCAs directly into my tube amp. Quality of sound is lacking to say the least!
I am considering adding an inexpensive DAC ( iFi AUDIO nano iDSD LE Portable DAC  or iFi Audio nano iOne DAC ) into the stream between the laptop & amp.My question is: will this influence the overall sound I'll hear out of my speakers? Will adding such a DAC help to increase the quality of sound produced by the system?
I'm not interested in spending a lot of money on a DAC as this is a source that I don't use as much as some others already in the system.
wcc10

Showing 3 responses by turnbowm

turnbowm
353 posts
 
wcc10 OP111 posts01-16-2020 4:00pm"So upon further review, swapping out RCA cables & perhaps the unit burned in a little, I have to say that yes this laptop does sound better with this DAC. Soundstage is 'wider' and a little deeper...."

Be patient. The Modi 3 will continue to improve in SQ with additional run-in time (100 hrs min.).
turnbowm
353 posts
 

213runnin681 posts01-22-2020 6:51am"In my headphone rig I find that the Modi is brighter than the Modi Multibit, but not unpleasantly so...."

Which Modi did you compare with the MB?
turnbowm
353 posts
 
Ran across this Modi 3 review (revisited) that was quite interesting.

(164) Schiit Modi 3 Revisited (2 months later) - YouTube 

In the second part of the review, he talks about the sound quality improvement that resulted from placing small weights on top of the Modi 3 case. I didn't have those particular weights on hand so instead I placed a book on top of the case and was taken back by the sound improvements. In particular, the upper midrange and highs were cleaner and more focused.

It makes for a no-cost experiment and you might be surprised (and pleased) by the result. No reason to think it wouldn't work for other light-weight DACs as well.
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