D/A converters or New sound card?

Left Headphone · 30th June 2008, 11:31 PM

I'm trying to decide if I should get a dedicated d/a converter or just get a better soundcard.

I'm 100% in the box and I think a good d/a would help. But, why should I get a Benchmark D/A when I could get a Presonus Fire whatever for half the cost?

Help!

**TonyBelmont** · 1st July 2008, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Left Headphone

I'm try to decide if I should get a dedicated d/a converter or just get a better soundcard.

I'm 100% in the box and I think a good d/a would help. But, why should I get a Benchmark D/A when I could get a Presonus Fire whatever for half the cost?

Help!

Because the Benchmark will sound better.... so will the Lavry DA10.

Roc Mixwell · 1st July 2008, 03:41 AM

There are pretty decent PCI cards AD/DA converters out there.....BUT

They pale in comparison to the marketed "monitor D/A" units of the world.
You can't always trust the quality of AD/DA conversion with a PCI card; but for digital transfer, what else can you ask for. Sometimes its the best, most stable option for the system [depending on you're system]

For monitoring, I would check out the Dangerous D-Box as well, its a bit more extensive compared to the other's mentioned, but the DAC is certainly on par with the best "monitor D/A's" I've heard.

Left Headphone · 1st July 2008, 05:20 AM

Lavry & Benchmark must be good cause I can't find any of them used. Most of them are over $900 new.

stevens119 · 1st July 2008, 10:34 AM

Check out the Apogee Mini-DAC. I got a Mini-Me and a Mini-Dac on ebay in the same auction for like $1200 about 6 months ago. Best money I've ever spent on gear. Ever.

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30th June 2008, 11:31 PM	#1
Left Headphone Gear nut Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 88	D/A converters or New sound card? I'm trying to decide if I should get a dedicated d/a converter or just get a better soundcard. I'm 100% in the box and I think a good d/a would help. But, why should I get a Benchmark D/A when I could get a Presonus Fire whatever for half the cost? Help! __________________ www.myspace.com/v12productions1

1st July 2008, 03:41 AM	#3
Roc Mixwell Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Foxboro, MA Posts: 1,417	There are pretty decent PCI cards AD/DA converters out there.....BUT They pale in comparison to the marketed "monitor D/A" units of the world. You can't always trust the quality of AD/DA conversion with a PCI card; but for digital transfer, what else can you ask for. Sometimes its the best, most stable option for the system [depending on you're system] For monitoring, I would check out the Dangerous D-Box as well, its a bit more extensive compared to the other's mentioned, but the DAC is certainly on par with the best "monitor D/A's" I've heard. __________________ Adam Brass Mercenary Audio adam@mercenary.com ________________ "Any opinions expressed above are worth exactly what you paid for them." Anonymous "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson "If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. Thomas Edison

1st July 2008, 05:20 AM	#4
Left Headphone Gear nut Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 88	Lavry & Benchmark must be good cause I can't find any of them used. Most of them are over $900 new. __________________ www.myspace.com/v12productions1

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1st July 2008, 10:34 AM	#5
stevens119 Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 312	Check out the Apogee Mini-DAC. I got a Mini-Me and a Mini-Dac on ebay in the same auction for like $1200 about 6 months ago. Best money I've ever spent on gear. Ever.