Best USB DAC for music listening?
in Computer Peripherals ·
I'm looking for some recommendations on a USB audio interface. It'll mostly be for listening to music (and the occasional movie, though that's not really the priority here).
Here’s what I'm planning to plug into it:
1) M-AUDIO Studiophile BX5a Deluxe studio monitors, 5'' woofer, 70w amp
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BX5a--m-audio-studiophile-bx5a-deluxe-studio-monitors
2) A headset (mic and headphones combo)
3) Occasionally, I'd also like to hook up some "real" headphones—not a headset, but my Sennheiser 497s.
I was thinking about grabbing the M-AUDIO Fast Track USB or maybe an
Akai Professional MPC
or just anything else that fits the bill without breaking the bank.
The main thing is that I need to be able to plug in my headset so I can jump on Skype calls without a headache. Ideally, the mic input and headphone jack should be close together (or at least have the mic and stereo outputs near each other).
To be honest, I don't really get all these different inputs and outputs or which cables I'm going to need.
Which USB interfaces actually work for what I'm trying to do?
If there isn't a decent USB option out there, I guess I could look at a PCI card, though I'd rather avoid getting computer noise bleeding into my speakers.
Price is definitely a factor here.
Thanks.
Here’s what I'm planning to plug into it:
1) M-AUDIO Studiophile BX5a Deluxe studio monitors, 5'' woofer, 70w amp
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BX5a--m-audio-studiophile-bx5a-deluxe-studio-monitors
2) A headset (mic and headphones combo)
3) Occasionally, I'd also like to hook up some "real" headphones—not a headset, but my Sennheiser 497s.
I was thinking about grabbing the M-AUDIO Fast Track USB or maybe an
Akai Professional MPC
or just anything else that fits the bill without breaking the bank.
The main thing is that I need to be able to plug in my headset so I can jump on Skype calls without a headache. Ideally, the mic input and headphone jack should be close together (or at least have the mic and stereo outputs near each other).
To be honest, I don't really get all these different inputs and outputs or which cables I'm going to need.
Which USB interfaces actually work for what I'm trying to do?
If there isn't a decent USB option out there, I guess I could look at a PCI card, though I'd rather avoid getting computer noise bleeding into my speakers.
Price is definitely a factor here.
Thanks.