USB DAC waste of money or worthwhile?

[aufarb]

if 100 % of my music is stored on my Mac...which usb dac would you recommend to match up with the puter

thanks

[1KW]

DAC1 USB Overview | Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.

[MC352]

What about the Cambridge DAC Magic? I know a number of people who purchased it and really like it. Good Price also.

I had the Benchmark, and I sent it back. The sound was too edgy for my taste.

[Dj_AmTraX]

I like PS Audio, but USB input doesn't sound as good as optical from my Mac Mini.

[TSmith8605]

Originally Posted by aufarb

if 100 % of my music is stored on my Mac...which usb dac would you recommend to match up with the puter

thanks

If your Mac is less than a few years old it has an optical digital output so you can use any DAC with it; you're not limited to a USB DAC.

Don't know your price range, but the Cambridge Audio DacMagic is pretty nice and takes USB, optical and coax as input. I've read on this forum that the McIntosh MDA1000 is really good if your budget allows.

I've been messing around with my MacBook Pro and and a DacMagic and have been able to download high-res (24 bit, 96KHz sample rate) music files and play them at full resolution and that sounds pretty good.

[JPrest]

I'm using the Benchmark, get's my vote.
Cheers

[Chathamdad]

TSmith8605: Nice Avatar. You are obviously a person of high class and good taste.

I have the Headroom MicroDac and am very happy with it. I run my PC into the USB and my MP3 player (which has an optical out) into Toslink.

I too have heard good things about the Cambridge unit, but in this month's Stereophile Atkinson measures it and says that, while the other inputs measure very well, the USB is sub-par. I was surprised to read that.

[magnmac]

Originally Posted by Chathamdad

TSmith8605: Nice Avatar. You are obviously a person of high class and good taste.

I have the Headroom MicroDac and am very happy with it. I run my PC into the USB and my MP3 player (which has an optical out) into Toslink.

I too have heard good things about the Cambridge unit, but in this month's Stereophile Atkinson measures it and says that, while the other inputs measure very well, the USB is sub-par. I was surprised to read that.

I wouldn't be too concerned with comments like "it measured sub-par..." you have to listen to it yourself... I am sure if you grab a pre-owned unit you can sell it for what you bought it for; so you have nothing to loose by trying...

[jamesh]

I had a Benchmark DAC1 Pre and liked it a lot. It sounded great with my Squeezebox. I did not notice any edginess through my system.
Right now I am using the DACs in the MCD500 and they of course are incredible with redbook and SACD playback. However, I am not sure they are superior to the Benchmark for pairing with the Squeezebox or computer use. I did not have a chance to directly A-B compare them(MCD500 and Benchmark) so my basis of comparison is by recollection only.
I will likely purchase a Benchmark HDR in the future for dedicated use with TV, Squeezeblox and Macbook when cash flow permits.

[TSmith8605]

Originally Posted by Chathamdad

TSmith8605: Nice Avatar. You are obviously a person of high class and good taste...

Chathamdad: I must admit that your avatar is equally striking.

I loves me MAC1500!