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DAC

Birima

Birima

Member
Hi all,

Currently, I am enjoying my music using a Asus mini-laptop streaming Spotify to either the Marantz 2265B or the Marantz 2385 connected to a set of Canton Quinto 540. The sound is really lively, full, and warm. I just wonder if I would need a DAC for that matter and if yes, what would it add to the quality I am so used to now?

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I guess it would depend on how much you would like to spend. More money will give better results. As for myself, I left Spotify and went to Tidal and Amazon HD for a much better sound first. Then I went to a better DAC.
 
I tried Tidal but was dissatisfied with the limited content and I could not control the streaming laptop from the laptop where I am sitting most of the time. A huge advantage with Spotify in my experience. Yet Youtube offers the most special (extended and remixed) versions of songs and videos of live concerts that Tidal and Spotify do not offer. So I switch between Spotify and Youtube. Coming back to the DAC, maybe I should try to borrow one first to hear if it really adds something to the setup. I do notice the incorporated DAC in the laptop forces me to put up the volume level of both receivers quite a bit, but it is not disturbing me.
 
You can get a USB based DAC for under 100 buck. When I made the change years ago it was night and day benefits (for the better). Depends on the DAC in your ASUS but almost without exception the standalone DAC's are usually better.
 
Kodaline said:
Mind that shelf with the plastic tabs under such a tank as the 2385.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the shelf is fortified and also supported by the bookshelf loudspeaker underneath. I also have another 2330B with wood case that I will not place on top of the 2385 though.
 
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mvandyke said:
You can get a USB based DAC for under 100 buck. When I made the change years ago it was night and day benefits (for the better). Depends on the DAC in your ASUS but almost without exception the standalone DAC's are usually better.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm It's something worth looking into then. Any recommendations for a particular one?
 
I have pc sound card creative sound blaster Z because I drive Tidal and flacs trough Pc, as my sister have usb card creative x g6. It came with nice software and good price of nearly 100 bucks. All in all we are both happy with the quality. For me sound blaster made huge difference vs the motherboard integrated sound card. Sisters source is multimedia laptop sony vaio which is very good, but usb card also made a slight difference. Aux output is stronger also.
 
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