A beginner's guide to DACs

Camera: Jana Dagdagan | Editor: John Darko What is a DAC? Do you need one? Chances are, you already have one inside your computer, smartphone or TV. The question then becomes: do you need an external DAC to improve the sound quality of your computer, smartphone or TV? This video is a ramble through my own personal journey with external DACs, relayed here to help newcomers better understand what a DAC does, how it might benefit their listening experience and how to avoid distractions. (Discussions about DAC chips, digital source quality and hi-res audio can come later). The DARKO DAC Index is now a PATREON bonus: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko Also featured in this video... Marantz CD-63SE: https://www.whathifi.com/features/was-then-marantz-cd-63-review Logitech Squeezebox Touch: https://darko.audio/2010/09/logitech-squeezebox-touch/ https://darko.audio/2012/05/enhanced-digital-output-applet-for-squeezebox-touch/ https://darko.audio/2012/05/spotify-on-a-squeezebox-touch/ Schiit Modi 3 (US$99): https://darko.audio/2018/11/schiit-modi-3-dac-review/ https://darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-film-about-the-schiit-modi-3/ Bluesound Node 2 (US$475): https://darko.audio/2018/01/further-travels-with-the-bluesound-node-2/ AURALiC Aries G1 (€2199): https://darko.audio/2018/08/a-short-film-about-the-auralic-aries-g1/ Chord Qutest (€1549): https://darko.audio/2018/11/a-short-film-about-the-chord-qutest/ Resonessence Labs Concero (US$850): https://darko.audio/2013/03/resonessence-labs-concero-review-toneaudio/ Resonessence Labs Herus (US$350): https://darko.audio/2014/07/improving-ios-audio-with-the-resonessence-labs-herus/ https://darko.audio/2014/02/dsd-vs-pcm-with-resonessence-labs-herus-dac-steely-dan/ AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt (US$299): https://darko.audio/2019/07/a-short-film-about-the-audioquest-dragonfly-cobalt/ https://darko.audio/2019/07/10-more-thoughts-on-the-audioquest-dragonfly-cobalt/ Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2 (US$2399): https://darko.audio/2018/04/dial-m-for-multi-bit-schiits-yggdrasil-analog-2-dac/ KEF LS50 Wireless: https://darko.audio/2016/12/kef-ls50-wireless-review-dars-product-of-the-year-2016/ https://darko.audio/search/KEF+LS50+wireless/ UE Boom: https://darko.audio/2015/01/on-the-road-with-the-ue-boom-bluetooth-loudspeaker/ Cables... AudioQuest Evergreen 3.5mm to RCA: https://www.audioquest.com/cables/analog-interconnects/bridges-falls-series/evergreen Zu Mission RCA to RCA: https://www.zuaudio.com/cable/mission-rca-mkii-b AudioQuest Cinnamon TOSLINK: https://www.audioquest.com/cables/digital-cables/optical-toslink/cinnamon iFi USB-C to USB-A adapter: https://ifi-audio.com/products/otg-cables/ Apple Lightning to USB adapter: https://www.apple.com/de/shop/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-auf-usb-kamera-adapter #dacs #beginners #audiophile __________________________________________________________________ Darko.Audio is a web magazine covering new and exciting developments in the audio world and we aren’t afraid of indie rock or techno. Web: http://Darko.Audio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkoaudio/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/darkoaudio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Darkodotaudio