Will an external USB DAC improve sound quality, in my present PC audio setup?

When you said "improving sound quality", first you must know what do you actually want to improve; high, mid, low frequency? soundstage? noise? etc. Smoothness?

You will get overwhelming suggestions from others. But do they sound good to you? That comes back to your preference again. It also depend on your gears.

I normally will opt for neutral and low noise dac ... Then you can move along to your amp and speaker for the sound of your liking.

What is USB DDC?

Look good with the price. But dont know if they implemented it well. Also if they use good quality components. For for that price, it is good.

Some DACs just like headphones, added with lot of ajinomoto.

A dac by right shall not 'color' the sound. The conversion of digital to analog is based on delta-sigma modulation method and will not add anything to analog waveform. To lure for more sale, dac starts to claim their "signature".

Sound quality is a very subjective term, bro. Just like if you ask what is the best headphone you can buy in this forum, you will get numerous response.

This post has been edited by fx20: Feb 23 2017, 09:58 AM

If you really want to know more about DAC, you can read this blogs. A very practical approach to learn about your dac.

http://nwavguy.blogspot.my/2011/05/subject...ive-debate.html
This guy almost reveal the industry secret and was threatening with legal cases by big company until he quit the writings.


For DAC, it should all about transparency and distortion. For example, does my Fender sound like a fender guitar when I play it on my system. And it is totally crapped if the Fender sound like gibson at the end of the chain.



This post has been edited by fx20: Feb 23 2017, 10:06 AM

I am no mean an audiophile. I spent most my time appreciate artists' creativity and interpretation of scores more than listening to 'sound'. But a good and transparent system allow me to appreciate the music better.