Whats the difference between a DAC, AMP, and sound card?

[PapaSimmz]

whats the difference between a DAC, AMP, and sound card?

[spwath]

DAC: converts didgital to analog

Amp: makes it louder

Sound card: can have amp and/or dac

[cnapier39428]

A DAC can have an amp in it as well...most all do actually

[schwat]

A dac is a digital to analog converter. It takes a digital signal and reconstructs it into an analog waveform.  

 

An amp takes the reconstructed analog signal and boosts it to make it louder. A good amp is "transparent" meaning it doesn't change the sound in any way, just increased the volume.

 

Many products sold as dacs have amplifiers built in but some do not. 

 

A sound card is basically a dac + amp with some other features that goes inside your PC. Sound cards aren't really useful these days unless you want one for virtual surround sound in video games.

 

A dac + amp or dac/amp combo is generally a better choice because they go outside of your PC case. Inside a PC is a very noisy environment (EMI) & sometimes you can pick this noise up in your audio equipment. Having the dac & amp outside the PC helps minimize risk of noise.

[PapaSimmz]

A dac is a digital to analog converter. It takes a digital signal and reconstructs it into an analog waveform.  

 

An amp takes the reconstructed analog signal and boosts it to make it louder. A good amp is "transparent" meaning it doesn't change the sound in any way, just increased the volume.

 

Many products sold as dacs have amplifiers built in but some do not. 

 

A sound card is basically a dac + amp with some other features that goes inside your PC. Sound cards aren't really useful these days unless you want one for virtual surround sound in video games.

 

A dac + amp or dac/amp combo is generally a better choice because they go outside of your PC case. Inside a PC is a very noisy environment (EMI) & sometimes you can pick this noise up in your audio equipment. Having the dac & amp outside the PC helps minimize risk of noise.

I currently have an alienware x51 and im looking at buying a mayflower Standard Objective2 Headphone Amplifier and Fostex T50RP – Version 3. Im going to build a new computer fairly soon with a Maximus VI hero which has nice onboard sound i hear. is there anything else i would need?

[Thebman712]

I currently have an alienware x51 and im looking at buying a mayflower Standard Objective2 Headphone Amplifier and Fostex T50RP – Version 3. Im going to build a new computer fairly soon with a Maximus VI hero which has nice onboard sound i hear. is there anything else i would need?

good headphones

[PapaSimmz]

good headphones

So i hear

[Thebman712]

So i hear

apple earpods work good too    *snickers* 

[NannerBeans]

I currently have an alienware x51 and im looking at buying a mayflower Standard Objective2 Headphone Amplifier and Fostex T50RP – Version 3. Im going to build a new computer fairly soon with a Maximus VI hero which has nice onboard sound i hear. is there anything else i would need?

Nope that should be fine although I recommend you get an adapter or the cable Mayflower sells that ends in a 1/8 in plug instead of the 1/4. 

[ShearMe]

I currently have an alienware x51 and im looking at buying a mayflower Standard Objective2 Headphone Amplifier and Fostex T50RP – Version 3. Im going to build a new computer fairly soon with a Maximus VI hero which has nice onboard sound i hear. is there anything else i would need?

 

I would build the computer, get the headphones, and hold off on the amp. The onboard of that mobo might get loud enough, so test before spending extra money.