MacBook Pro M1 Series DAC Chip Brand

[J.Gallardo]

DOSMix external DAC delivers 32bit @ 192Khz which is silly, that's a dynamic range to go from a pin drop to a bomb drop and a high end that only instruments can measure but, yeah, would love to hear someones take on audio quality at $22.

DOSMIX USB C DAC - Portable 32 Bit/384kHz Dosmix Headphone Amplifier, HiFi Converter, Qualcomm chipset, Impedance 600Ω, SNR123dB, Premium Sound Enhancer for Android/Windows Smartphone Laptop

DOSMIX USB C DAC - Portable 32 Bit/384kHz Dosmix Headphone Amplifier, HiFi Converter, Qualcomm chipset, Impedance 600Ω, SNR123dB, Premium Sound Enhancer for Android/Windows Smartphone Laptop

www.amazon.com

I think users understand better fundamental concepts if we translate them to “image quality“:
- Resolution is going up to 8K in tv sets, Apple retina screens are wonderful… and desired top resolution should be the closest to analogue original. I presume this is commonly assumed, but nevertheless hi-res digital sound seems an eccentricity…
It isn’t superfluous to work with highest sound (or image) resolution because of “production“, mixing, arranging… When filters, effects or transformations are applied, maximum resolution is pertinent. Even if final file is downsampled.
- Quality of the image (or sound) is close related also to reproduction of color and light levels. HiRes image (on screen or printed) can be poor quality. With sound, quality of the signal (resolution apart) and quality of reproduction equipment are crucial.

I’ve experienced cheap HiRes DACs that sounded poorer than my iMac’s internal one. Apple’s offered 96kHz top is “high res” enough to appreciate quality with appropriate sound equipment.

 

[Gen]

Nothing in system info i'm afraid, but i would imagine they use a similar one to the iDevices. Recommend an audioquest dragonfly if you care about these things

No the Dragonfly is one of the worst products. Refer to this resource for actually good DACs that people listen to: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Audio_Equipment_Reviews/

A review of Dragonfly products:

 

[Carlson-online]

I've watched this, and still for the money it's good value.

Note aswell, NOBODY should be listening to the thing at full volume - 118Db is around where hearing damage can occur in just a few minutes.

At normal listening volumes, factoring price and portability, there is very little also on the market with the value proposition.

 

[J.Gallardo]

No the Dragonfly is one of the worst products. Refer to this resource for actually good DACs that people listen to: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Audio_Equipment_Reviews/

A review of Dragonfly products:

Yes, I agree. I was naming two relatively known brands to illustrate relative importance of resolution. Dragonflys sound “nice” and beautiful (and it‘s the best one implemented to plug and completely forget about it; cold, rocksolid, always silent when it should), but yes, I prefer the detail and spacing of my FiiO Q1 MkII…
I’ve recently bought a “Shanling UA1”, and, being quite affordable, it makes a decent job. (I have 3 more “cheap” dacs).
BUT the only two that really work without a single problem are the Dragonfly and the FiiO. In my experience, sound quality apart, unexpected problems may appear (when my iMac restarts, Shanling UA1 always insisted in setting itself at max volume; fixed with an AppleScript startup item).

Thank you very much for the link, as it’s a nice guide!

 

[JJ JJJJ]

What is the DAC chip inside new MacBook series? I can't find any info on iFixit's MacBook Pro M1 teardown. Is anyone got a clue?

As a sound engineer and someone that can calibrate my Audiologists equip by ear, I can confidently confirm the DAC in the 2020 M1 Air is absolute garbage. Nothing more than just listening to it with a mix of audio headphones from Audeze, Focal, and HiFi Man is rather unnerving. Buyer beware. My Air was sent back within 2 days. My old Pro does the job. And I guess that's how its going to stay. Maybe the 2021 Pro is great but I don't have that computer yet.

 

[phrehdd]

As a sound engineer and someone that can calibrate my Audiologists equip by ear, I can confidently confirm the DAC in the 2020 M1 Air is absolute garbage. Nothing more than just listening to it with a mix of audio headphones from Audeze, Focal, and HiFi Man is rather unnerving. Buyer beware. My Air was sent back within 2 days. My old Pro does the job. And I guess that's how its going to stay. Maybe the 2021 Pro is great but I don't have that computer yet.

Apple seems to have for years limited audio to match iTunes offerings. I am of the belief that external DAC and similar is the proper route to go and not depend on Apple internals.

 

[Macalway]

As a sound engineer and someone that can calibrate my Audiologists equip by ear, I can confidently confirm the DAC in the 2020 M1 Air is absolute garbage. Nothing more than just listening to it with a mix of audio headphones from Audeze, Focal, and HiFi Man is rather unnerving. Buyer beware. My Air was sent back within 2 days. My old Pro does the job. And I guess that's how its going to stay. Maybe the 2021 Pro is great but I don't have that computer yet.

 

[4sallypat]

I use the iFi Zen DAC with my M1 and love it !

Subscribed to Tidal for some master quality full bandwidth sounds!

 

[J.Gallardo]

I use the iFi Zen DAC with my M1 and love it !

Subscribed to Tidal for some master quality full bandwidth sounds!

View attachment 1883142

Nice dac. Nice and useful, as Tidal app can manage dac’s settings.
Unfortunately, “Music“ app on our macs isn’t able to do the same. Apple Music streams CD and HD quality, but a successful pairing is only possible with iOS devices. Apple recommends an external dac to listen to AppleMusic HD, but Apple doesn’t provide a way to do that on a mac (!). ?
So, it’s not just the internal dac quality (not sooo bad…), but also the system (or usual music apps) inability to set its bit depth & bitrate automatically. If Tidal, Audirvana or Pine Player can, Apple Music should.

 

[yodas baby]

As a sound engineer and someone that can calibrate my Audiologists equip by ear, I can confidently confirm the DAC in the 2020 M1 Air is absolute garbage. Nothing more than just listening to it with a mix of audio headphones from Audeze, Focal, and HiFi Man is rather unnerving. Buyer beware. My Air was sent back within 2 days. My old Pro does the job. And I guess that's how its going to stay. Maybe the 2021 Pro is great but I don't have that computer yet.

I have the same experience, tried to listen with sennheiser 560 and beyerdynamic 770 pro without an external dac. I tried tidal and garageband but it just doesn't sound good. I'm looking for a usb c dac and some real improvement.
Waste of money or is it any good: https://www.bax-shop.nl/externe-aud...2-in-2-out-usb-audio-interface#productreviews