USB DACS

Posted by: Dreadatthecontrols on 23 March 2014

I am interested to hear views on using USB DAC;s such as Audioquest Dragonfly and Meridian Explorer to connect audio from a laptop to my Naim NAC 202, active 3 series. I am not seriously into streaming at the moment, my preferred listening is vinyl, but I like to use services like Spotify to check out new music before going out and buying it. I am curious as to what kind of level of performance I might expect from playing a laptop via one of these type of DACS through my system and its Allae speakers. These devices seem to attract quite positive reviews but these seem mainly in budget headphone situations. Anyone out there had any listening experience with USB DAC;s that they would like to share?
Thanks

Posted on: 26 March 2014 by Dreadatthecontrols

Hi Steve,

If I may ask, what is your HiFi system?
Thanks for replying

Originally Posted by Steve C:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

No. 1 son uses an Arcam rPac between his computer and his A&R A60 and it works really well. It sounds good into the Naim too. For the price, it's amazingly good.

+1 on the Arcam rPac.

I use one in the way you plan to Richard. Spotify, Last FM and Youtube for looking at new artists.USB in with both 3.5mm headphone jack and RCA out.

Posted on: 26 March 2014 by Dreadatthecontrols

Having taken a quick browse on tinternet, comparing dragonfly, microstreamer, arcam rpac and meridian explorer, it does appear that specification wise the Meridian looks more advanced. The meridian is capable of handling HiRes 192KHZ whereas the others are up to 92KHZ only, also the Meridian has its own built in "master clocks" as opposed to utilising the master clock in the computers DAC, which is said to improve timing in the data stream.
This may be a bit academic if listening to Spotify etc, but it would be useful to have the Hi-res capability going forward, especially as it appears that Meridian have now knocked the price tag down to £199, perhaps in response to Audioquest introducing a Dragonfly V2 and reducing price to £130!

Posted on: 26 March 2014 by Steve C

Originally Posted by Richard 2000:

Hi Steve,

If I may ask, what is your HiFi system?
Thanks for replying

Originally Posted by Steve C:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

No. 1 son uses an Arcam rPac between his computer and his A&R A60 and it works really well. It sounds good into the Naim too. For the price, it's amazingly good.

+1 on the Arcam rPac.

I use one in the way you plan to Richard. Spotify, Last FM and Youtube for looking at new artists.USB in with both 3.5mm headphone jack and RCA out.

Ricard using it with a Nait XS and PMC GB1is.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by GregU

I don't know if this helps.

I have a Bryston BDA 1 DAC in my main system (Mac mini, 202, 200, totem forests). I use the dragonfly in my second system. I tried an A/B with the Bryston and the Dragonfly in my main system. Honestly I was expecting a subtle difference at best but the Bryston was miles ahead of the dragonfly using an AIFF file of Stevie Ray Vaughn's Couldn't Stand the Weather. That said it may not be so apparent on 320 spotify