Will an external DAC sound a lot better than my iMac's onboard dac?

[hoosierxhoosier]

I bought AudioEngine a5's, and am using them through the iMac's onboard amp. I want the best possible quality.

Will a $200 external DAC improve the sound a lot? I don't want to buy one if it won't make a big difference.

If so, what is the best DAC I can get for 200 or under?

 

[John T]

I bought AudioEngine a5's, and am using them through the iMac's onboard amp. I want the best possible quality.

It all depends on what you mean by "best quality". If you really want the best quality, you're not going to get it via a computer.

However, to partly answer your question, an external DAC will certainly improve the quality from your iMac. The onboard DAC is pretty basic but more than adequate for it's purpose.

The iMac hasn't been designed for hi-fi quality, if you want the best you'll need a dedicated system.

 

[Fishrrman]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=usb+dac&x=0&y=0

The NuForce doesn't look too bad....

 

[steve-p]

Short answer is yes it will sound better. Longer answer is still yes, but an external DAC really comes into its own with lossless file formats.

 

[hoosierxhoosier]

Short answer is yes it will sound better. Longer answer is still yes, but an external DAC really comes into its own with lossless file formats.

My whole library is lossless

 

[curtisinoc]

My whole library is lossless

(Kind of an old thread but . . )

Just wondering, did you get yourself a dac/amp for your iMac?

I recently purchased a FiiO E10 (about $80 on amazon) and was extremely surprised and impressed. Sounds a LOT better than plugging my headphones directly into the 3.5 mm headphone jack on the the iMac.

 

[carlgo]

Always wondered about these things. Could it be put between the iOS device and a car's sound system? Or is it only for headphones?