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It is worth getting a headphone DAC/amp to put between Mac Mini and headphones?

N

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
I have repurposed an older Mac Mini to serve as a music server in my home office. I have all of my music stored on an external drive attached to the mini. Files are all ripped FLAC.

I went ahead and purchased Audirvana Plus and that seems to already make a difference in audio quality compared to VLC that I was using previously.

Currently, I have my Sennheiser HD555's (foam modded already) connected right to the headphone jack in the back of the mini.

I've read a lot online on this subject but interested to hear people's thoughts. Is it worth buying a USB or Toslink DAC/amp to plug into the mini and then my headphones into the DAC? I've read my headphones really don't need an amp but would it still be worth getting a DAC anyway to increase audio quality? I believe from what I've read, I'd be able to take advantage of Audirvana's integer mode with the right DAC?

I've read about the Audioengine D1, some of the FiiO models, uDac-2, etc. Trying to stay under $200. I would be interested to read about people's experiences and recommendations? Thanks!
 
Turn everything on and dont play anything, if you hear noise then look into an external sound card (thats what a usb dac is. It's just dac sound way more high-end then sound card). Only get a dac if you hear noise. In all honesty, most people dont need one and are just wasting money getting one. You'll be much better off with better headphones
 
It seems like better headphones usually then require a DAC due to impedance. I figure I'd buy a DAC now and upgrade my headphones in the future.

If I do hear noise, do you recommend a DAC in particular for my budget?
 
nitsuj3580 said:
It seems like better headphones usually then require a DAC due to impedance. I figure I'd buy a DAC now and upgrade my headphones in the future.

If I do hear noise, do you recommend a DAC in particular for my budget?
Click to expand...

All a DAC does is convert the computer code into an analogue signal. That signal still must be amplified. 😉.

Now... there are a number of companies making portable DAC/Amplifier units: ALO Audio, Ray Samuels, and Leckerton make quality gear. Fiio is the one I most commonly see on the lower end. And if you have gobs of cash, an iQube V3...
 
nitsuj3580 said:
It seems like better headphones usually then require a DAC due to impedance. I figure I'd buy a DAC now and upgrade my headphones in the future.

If I do hear noise, do you recommend a DAC in particular for my budget?
Click to expand...

That would be an amp issue not a dac issue. Most of the praise people give dacs is because they need to justify their purchase. I only recommend spending the cash if you're experiencing noise from your source (in your case, mac mini). If your set on getting a dac, look at getting a dac/amp from fiio. E7, E10, E17. All usb dac/amps and affordable.
 
Thanks for the help. I notice some hissing when listening to classical music and just a tad with other genres when I plug my headphones directly into the mac mini.

Rakuten.com had the Fiio E10 for $55 after coupon so I went ahead and grabbed one. Thanks for the help!
 
Received my e10 today and wow! I really wasn't expecting to hear a huge difference, but the music coming out of my mini has never sounded better! Audirvana is also now showing INT so I know integer mode is now in affect.

I get the feeling I'm going to be tempted to upgrade my headphones sooner or later 🙂
 
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