Hey xistented,
(Disclaimer: Non-uber audiophile comments follow)
I am likely a more-modest-audiophile. I related to your post due to mac and mission. My first foray into nice audio equipment were some tiny mission bookshelfs in college. I upgraded to the next model....this was mid 80's.
I am now a mac user (and have been for 15 years). G5 Dual and mac book pro. G5 is a server currently.
While I don't have hands on experience with the entry level USB converters, my first external DAC is a Monarchy NM24, which is a tube DAC. I have found that there is a clear difference between consumer level Receiver/Integrated Amp internal DACs to the external DACs. From my research I have found the common conclusion to be that to achieve a "noticeable difference" you need to be in the $1k range...which is very unfortunate! My *opinion* is that the entry level external dacs for $100-$400 will be different than the internal computer DAC BUT may or may not be to your personal sonic preference. in other words different folks like different things. You really have to experiment to find out which is to *your liking*. I am doing that myself with my first Non OverSampling(NOS) DAC. It is really all about the interrelationship between your audio components (speaker voicing, source, cabling, and room).
Apologies that I do not have a quick easy solution.
Good luck,
ed
Apple G5 Dual PPC AIFF server/Monarchy NM24 Tube DAC/ Anti-cable -VenHaus Cable /Tetra 120u bookshelfs + Martin Logan Abyss subwoofer /Technics SL1210 turntable.
(Disclaimer: Non-uber audiophile comments follow)
I am likely a more-modest-audiophile. I related to your post due to mac and mission. My first foray into nice audio equipment were some tiny mission bookshelfs in college. I upgraded to the next model....this was mid 80's.
I am now a mac user (and have been for 15 years). G5 Dual and mac book pro. G5 is a server currently.
While I don't have hands on experience with the entry level USB converters, my first external DAC is a Monarchy NM24, which is a tube DAC. I have found that there is a clear difference between consumer level Receiver/Integrated Amp internal DACs to the external DACs. From my research I have found the common conclusion to be that to achieve a "noticeable difference" you need to be in the $1k range...which is very unfortunate! My *opinion* is that the entry level external dacs for $100-$400 will be different than the internal computer DAC BUT may or may not be to your personal sonic preference. in other words different folks like different things. You really have to experiment to find out which is to *your liking*. I am doing that myself with my first Non OverSampling(NOS) DAC. It is really all about the interrelationship between your audio components (speaker voicing, source, cabling, and room).
Apologies that I do not have a quick easy solution.
Good luck,
ed
Apple G5 Dual PPC AIFF server/Monarchy NM24 Tube DAC/ Anti-cable -VenHaus Cable /Tetra 120u bookshelfs + Martin Logan Abyss subwoofer /Technics SL1210 turntable.