Upgrading Audio

[Old Account]

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[Streetguru]

41 minutes ago, MrNangle said:

 

If you care about sound quality you should probably start with getting an DAC stand alone, then whatever amp you're going to use with the speakers/headphones you're going to use, but I give no fucks about audio, I just use an old boombox as my amplifier and it works fine

just seems like starting at the DAC is the best option

https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/digital-to-analog-converters/odac-stand-alone/

 

[anothertom]

2 hours ago, MrNangle said:

I have never used a DAC or an AMP and quite frankly i don't know the difference between them.

A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) takes the digital audio stream from the software being used and converts it into an analog signal which matches the one used to create the recording. An Amplifier takes a signal and makes it larger.

 

Every audio system which uses digital files will have a DAC in the chain somewhere (onboard, sound card, external DAC...), and every system will have an amp somewhere in the chain. In the world of speakers there are 'active' speakers, which integrate the amplifier into the speaker design; and 'passive' speakers, which require the use of an external amplifier.

 

The single biggest difference you'll see in any system will be in moving from a high compression encoding to a lossless encoding (FLAC/apple lossless/WAV). So look to the source before trying an external DAC.

 

Huge floor-standing speakers can be nice, but in a smaller room or around a computer bookshelf speakers might suit better.

2 hours ago, MrNangle said:

I am looking for something better than the soundsticks but not too much more expensive and whether to get a DAC or AMP?

I would suggest spending the money on better speakers rather than peripherals, except where needed (i.e. passive speakers need amplification).

[KaminKevCrew]

15 hours ago, Streetguru said:

Snip

Can we just straight up stop posting videos made by tech syndicate in the audio section? Aside from Logan not knowing anything about audio, the videos just generally aren't all that helpful.