How is the DAC in the Sonos? Is it comparable with say, the dragonfly? I don't see any information online about the quality of its DAC. Thanks!
449190
The built-in DAC of the Sonos is, IMHO, lousy. Any outboard DAC will sound much better. The Dragonfly has had some amazing reviews. Big bucks are not required.
449191
I don't have any experience with the dragonfly, but I can tell you that for zoned sound, SONOS is terrific. I have been using their stuff for almost 3 years, and will continue to change out older technology for their product as older equipment fails. The clarity of both the amplified signal, as well as the preamp-only version is very good. If you are looking for audiophile/serious listening with, say $5000 invested in a pair of speakers, then this is not what you want. For everything else, SONOS is a very high-quality solution.
449192
I asked Sonos support a somewhat similar question regarding using their DAC. If you don't care for the DAC in the Connect, you can always use the digital optical out on it (this bypasses its own internal DAC) and send it to whatever DAC you'd like for the conversion. Basically, as long as you aren't using any analog connection out, it stays digital and you can do whatever you'd like with it.
1496209
Unfortunately I don't have much information to help because I'm considering the purchase of the same system. Has your impression changed much from the original post? I enjoy classical music but don't know much about different audio outputs and quality differentiators. Is there a better system at a similar price that you know of? Thanks for any additional thoughts.
539673
The sound over the internet is better than FM; however, FM reception in my 'hood is not good. Sorry, I don't know what DAC stands for (I'm e impaired).
262992
Not the DAC portion, but the strictly analog connection, yes.There is (was?) a Fiio model with a DAC and Apple-specific connection(s), but I can't currently find it. Try a bit of Googling or maybe look over Fiio's lineup?
1923502
This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier rather than just a tube pre-amp with solid state amplification. This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier... » Read More This is just an amplifier so you can use it with or without a DAC. your laptop has a DAC in it which it will call a "sound card" but, for all intents and purposes the words "DAC" and "sound card" mean the same thing. I use a Macbook Air running straight into mine and it sounds great. When I also use a high end USB DAC (a Simaudio D500), it sounds incredible but that starts running into a lot of money.What I would recommend, though, is that you get the Ocean Mini version of the amp. It's about $20 more than the V1 and it's a pure tube amplifier rather than just a tube pre-amp with solid state amplification. « Show Less
539671
All digital devices (iPods, iPhones, MP3 players, etc.) have to have a DAC -- otherwise you couldn't hear the music. But there are Chevrolets and Cadillacs and Ferraris among them. And the quality of the DAC obviously will determine the quality of the sound you hear. On the Sangean the internet feed will not sound as good as the actual FM signal. But on the other hand, on the Magnum Dynalab MD807 internet tuner (Google it!) which I prefer to listen to, the sound is as good or even better than the actual FM signal. Why? Because of the high-quality DAC and its tube output. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for!
2193710
Thanks a lot guys. It was helpful for me. My source is Beresford Caiman MKII DAC.
904353
I'm on a Mac so no. However, Peachtree support was great when I had a question. The DAC offers such amazing sound for the price so any short-lived driver hurdles would be worth it.
1664477
I used an external DAC. You could also likely use an external sound card as well. It cost about $125 I think. I've been very pleased.
1386463
I previously owned a top of the line lexicon and was running a musical fidelity DAC in for music only . All interconnects were Nordost red dawns . After reading the reviews purchased the AV7005 thens sold all that Equip and used the extra cash for a new set of speakers . Its made in China but so is an iPhone. It was a BIG improvement
2180994
Not sure about ASIO, I didn't get the USB, I'm using S/PDIF from my computer. I did go from a high end sound card (DAL CardDeluxe)'s analog outputs. The Biforst is definitely cleaner and quieter. I feel like bass has a bit more weight. My sound card isn't as new as the Asus but has very good S/N ratios etc. even on the analog outputs. I suspect though an external device sounds cleaner being outside of the electrically noisy computer case. The effect isn't night and day but it was noticeable. I didn't do ABX testing so you'll have to take my subjective review for what it is worth.
311413
No. I spoke with a Vanatoo engineer about this a few months ago. The speakers have what can be described as a digital amplifier, so any analog input will be converted to digital by the Vanatoo DAC. Anecdotally, the engineer said that customers are doing with audiophile-ish external DACs and are happy with the result i.e. the customers report hearing the good bits from their DACs through the speakers. Your mileage may vary of course. As you can tell from my terminology, I'm not an audio engineer -- just passing on what I heard.
2021299
I just bought a Mcintosh MHA100 DAC/AMP and it is brilliant with the HD600. It completely changed the performance and took it to a level that in my opinion was better than $1800 cans I tried. If you like tubes Woo Audio WA7 has some excellent feedback
453144
I am using the amp to drive to Klipsh 5.2 reference speakers in a 7.2 surround sound system. The amp I'm using to drive the other surround speakers is an Demon 4308 receiver. The amp has so many controls (also via the web) that it allows you to use those two amp's power to drive other amps in the receiver that drive all the surround sound speakers...Bottom line. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH THE AMP. It was recommended to me by a friend of mine who's in the business. I used to be a rep for JVC in the late 80's to early 90's. Now they don't make nearly as good as stuff as they did. But as for the amp I have driven those speakers so loud that I thought I was going to come out of my skin watching the new Godzilla (also have 2 12 in Klipsh 1000 watt each power subs) I hooked them up in such a way that the LFE signal was not only going to the subs but to the front main speakers too. The amp did great. Hardly got warm! Frankly I could not believe it. Then only after about 20 minutes of extremely loud sounds did the amp shut down. Guess what. It was not the Emotiva. It was the Denon Receiver. Over drove it. Even with the receiver's front channel amps bridged into the surround amps. Thinking about going to Denon separates next time I upgrade but I'll for sure keep my Emotiva amp on the front channels. Very happy indeed......
1882447
I'm a simple guy, Sona-Wave is awesome , upfront. not clear what specifically, make and or design r u referring to as your thumb drive?... If using s.d. card load top file with music*** important Same if u r using a Flash drive u then choose tracks on front of unit. Three buttons next to large, circular, volume knob.1.Play/Pause 2.Foward/ Next 3.Back button.. U can not jump to a specific song, I know of.. Using mp3 or computer follow your software... Hope this was helpful.. I'm a caveman whose been left back...Do not have audio cable in when loading card... good luck ....CyrusSixxFaw
534238
Neil, We have used those with the SONOS Connect AMP. Go into the SONOS eq feature to tweak the response to your taste.
1709014
I got this as a gift for someone else, so I'm not completely sure. DAC= Digital Audio Converter? The outputs on there are called RCA outputs I think. I was able to connect it to a home theater system. This was a pretty good remote. It had the song listings on the remote's LCD screen. It had awesome range. One could be upstairs and controll it through several walls. I got this for my parents, and I think they plug the iPod into their BluRay player now and control it with another remote. This Phillips remote was really awesome....back in its day(2007?)!