Do i need a dac?

[richersounds]

Hi all. Have been thinking about getting a dac.
I have one available to me nearby at a good price.
A small schitt.
But i have a very basic question. Do i actually need one?
The sources i use are pc. Tablet and sometimes my cell.
A little reading and one thing keeps popping up. These devices already translate using internal software from digital to analogue, am i correct in that?
If so if i plug one of my sources into the dac and then into my amp am i wasting my time using a dac? Seeing as this is already being handled?
My equipment is.
Nakamichi pa5 pre amp
Nakamichi pa7 power amp.
Thanks!

 

[Mamrak1]

You already answered your question. You say the Schiit DAC is cheap. How would you be wasting your time? If you don’t find that you get an improvement you can turn around and sell it. I can’t envision that that DACs used in your tablet, phone and PC are top of the line. Go for it!

 

[richersounds]

You already answered your question. You say the Schiit DAC is cheap. How would you be wasting your time? If you don’t find that you get an improvement you can turn around and sell it. I can’t envision that that DACs used in your tablet, phone and PC are top of the line. Go for it!

True, it is cheap and i will probably get it.
But if the signal has already been converted.
Is the schitt not just converting the already converted signal? Does the dac bypass the dac in my sources?
Is it actually going to be doing anything different/extra/improving the signal?

 

[rajoo]

If you use your PC as your main source, a DAC with USB inputs like the Schiit will use it to convert digital signals to analog. For a tablet or phone I assume you are using a mini stereo plug to dual RCA (?) and if so, the digital to analog conversion is done within the device.

 

[richersounds]

If you use your PC as your main source, a DAC with USB inputs like the Schiit will use it to convert digital signals to analog. For a tablet or phone I assume you are using a mini stereo plug to dual RCA (?) and if so, the digital to analog conversion is done within the device.

That answers my question. Thank you

 

[sKiZo]

Yes. Even an inexpensive dac will outperform the audio handling built into your average computer.

One tip. If you're using winDohs, select the WASAPI option as your source and set your system volume to 100%. You shouldn't need any additional drivers, and you end up with the next best thing to bit perfect with minimal latency. Bit of a gotcha built into windows - if you use the system volume control, it automatically runs all audio thru DirectSound as well, adding a whole nuther layer of processing that can degrade the sound. Use either your player's controls or those on your pre instead.

Oh. And don't automatically assUme the highest bit rates will provide the best sound. The hardware used in a DAC has a lot to say about that. The optical and coaxial side of my Maverick TubeMagic are rated 196/24, but I much prefer what I hear using USB which tops out at 96/24.

 

[crn3371]

Any half way decent external DAC will outperform a tablet, phone, or pc.

 

[Alobar]

You will plug the Little Schiit into the computer, you will do it through a USB port, not the computers inferior built in DAC. That is what the DAC's function is, Digital Analog Converter.. Digital in, analog out..

 

[John Keefer]

You received great advice. Schiit's inexpensive stuff is great value. You will DEFINITELY hear a difference even though Iphones and PC's internal DACs have improved greatly. Coincidentally I also run a CA-5 (believe that is what you meant) but with a PA-5 AMP. I had a Schiit DAC but "upgraded" to a Topping D50 since it gave me Bluetooth and therefore volume control and the ability to stream music from my PC or phone. Essentially a remote control : ) I use it with my Tidal music subscription and their higher resolution files like Master recordings sound incredible.

 

[PianotunerNJ]

DAC, yes.