Anyone Else Going to Use A Portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp With the 2015 Macbook?

jazz1

jazz1

macrumors 601
One of the joys of getting a new computer is rigging it out with accessories. Maybe this should be posted in the accessories forum so I'll make it short. I just thought I'd share with new Macbook 2015 owners and get them thinking.

Just got the Audioengine D3. Fresh out of the box. No burn in. Sounds more satisfying than the headphone out port (B&W P7 and Hififman 400i). Of course there is a USB-C to USB adapter in the chain.

My biggest fear is that it will suck down the laptop battery. So I'm watching that.
 
I'm probably going to stick with the headphone jack and 320s. When I tried it out with the P7s in-store, the signal from the new MacBook seemed quite clean. I don't know if I'll still feel that way when the laptop actually shows up and I can use it somewhere that's quieter to start with.
 
Well, incredible for what they are.

I am still looking for a solid set of genuinely closed headphones that does not need a DAC. Unfortunately, matching the isolation of the HD380s and sounding good is a bigger challenge.
 
I like this thread and decided to chime in mostly to see what rigs you guys have. I've got a PS Audio Nuwave DAC and GCHA headphone amp that I use with some Fostex TH-600's. The setup is connected via USB to my mac mini right now.

Actually just picked up a new rMBP 13" today in lieu of the new Macbook since I'll be waiting for revision 2. However, when I do pick up the new Macbook revision 2, I'll want to connect the headphone rig to it at certain times.

Anyone using a usb-c to usb adapter and if so, how does your rig sound? Any degradation? Is there a usb-c to usb cable (one type of connector on each end)? I would prefer no adapters and as short of a signal chain as possible, but obviously we don't have much to work with on the new Macbook.
 
mine will be my not-at-home rig, and mostly for at work, so i'll probably get Schiit's new usb dac/amp. ($79 i think?) I have their bifrost uber and lyr for my HD650's, so if their new usb dongle is of the same quality--I think I'll be quite pleased with their new usb dongle. I just need to get some decent headphones for work
 
5errated said:
mine will be my not-at-home rig, and mostly for at work, so i'll probably get Schiit's new usb dac/amp. ($79 i think?) I have their bifrost uber and lyr for my HD650's, so if their new usb dongle is of the same quality--I think I'll be quite pleased with their new usb dongle. I just need to get some decent headphones for work
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If I wasn't going to be moving around (coffee shops/hotels/airports/sandwich shops) I'd have gone with Schiit's desktop. The mobile Fulla looks good. Price/performance looks good on their desktop amps and DAC.
 
jazz1 said:
Ha! It never occurred to me to use the laptop's speakers, as usually the sound awful! The rMB does sound good!
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I have always been satisfied with the speakers on past Macs. But the ones in the rMB are definitely an improvement.
 
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