High-performance DAC and headphone amp USB and optical inputs Stream bit-perfect 24/96 HD audio Desktop or portable DAC Mac or PC, no driver to install. Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) allows you to bypass your computer’s soundcard or headphone output and send audio through USB or optical. Can't get Audioengine D1 DAC working on new PC. (Windows 10 AND Linux). I will try it out at my friends on his Mac, but won't be able to for a few days. The only thing that worked was a powered USB 3 card. It seems like once windows gets the internal driver going, it's easy for it to keep working. No problems since then, working exactly.

• Audioengine D1 Dac
• Audioengine D1 Xbox One
• Audioengine D1 Drivers For Macbook Air

Choosing the best usb dac for speakersmay be challenging as you have to screen through the large amount of similar products available on the market. Don’t worry though; we have got our hands on 10 trendy and top rated products and below is our recommendation.

In Hurry? Checkout Our Top Pick Of Best Usb Dac For Speakers.

Best Usb Dac For Speakers

1. Audioengine D1 24-Bit DAC, Premium Desktop Digital To Analogue Converter and Headphone Amplifier

• The D1 is a premium 24-bit DAC and headphone amplifier for your computer, TV, allowing you to bypass your computer’s sound card or headphone output and send audio through USB or optical.
• FEATURES High-performance DAC and headphone amp, USB and optical inputs, stream bit-perfect 24/96 HD audio, desktop or portable DAC, use with Mac or PC, no driver to install.
• WORKS WITH Mac, Windows, and Linux Computers—plug-and-play with USB. Any TOSLINK Optical connection from CD/DVD Players, TVs, and more! Powered speakers, Stereo/AV Receivers, and your favorite headphones.
• WHAT’S INCLUDED: D1 24-bit DAC/Headphone Amp, 2 foot USB cable, setup guide, microfiber bag.
• WARRANTY: Audioengine builds quality audio equipment that they stand behind. All Audioengine products come with a 3-year transferable warranty.

2. FiiO E10K USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier (Titanium)

• DAC Chip—The Internal DAC chip is a PCM102 and can handle PCM files up to 24-bit/96 kHz while improving audio quality via a linear filter, reduced delay and internal silence on changing tracks, and no phase shifts.
• LOW NOISE FLOOR — The unit has an optimized low-pass filter and selectable bass boost circuit that are designed for a low noise floor in all states.
• USB CONNECTION — Connects to your laptop via its micro USB connection, which also provides it with power.
• CONNECTION VARIETY — The variety of connections include a front-panel 1/8” headphone jack, a rear-panel 1/8” line output, and a rear-panel coaxial digital output, which allows you to send your digital audio to another destination.
• PORTABLE DESIGN — A sleek, brushed aluminum shell and chassis allow for durable, portable use.

3. Kanto 2 Channel Powered PC Gaming Desktop Speakers – 3' Composite Drivers 3/4' Silk Dome Tweeter – Class D Amplifier - 100 Watts - Built-in USB DAC - Subwoofer Output - YU2GR (Gloss Red)

• POWERFUL AND COMPACT – YU2 Powered PC Gaming Speakers feature 3' composite drivers that provide distortion-free sound while 3/4' silk dome tweeters offer extreme clarity. At just under 6” tall, these small and powerful desktop computer speakers let you save space on your gaming desk setup without sacrificing premium audio quality
• STAY CONNECTED – With its built-in soundcard, YU2 can stream high-quality audio directly from your computer’s USB port, giving you seamless connectivity to your PC or laptop. Its 3.5mm AUX input also lets you connect to any device with a headphone jack, including smartphones, tablets, or other media players. For added bass response, the YU2 speakers are compatible with any powered subwoofer
• PREMIUM SOUND – The YU2’s acoustic grade MDF cabinet features a sleek rear bass port that has been specifically designed and tuned to eliminate port turbulence while extending bass response. The result is a premium quality 2.0 channel audio system made for PC gamers and audio enthusiasts alike
• UNIQUE COLOR OPTIONS – Choose from eight different color options to compliment your gaming setup or personalize your work desk area. Available in matte and gloss finishes in a variety of colors, the YU2 speakers were designed to let you express your individual personality while providing great quality sound
• COMPLETE PACKAGE – You don't have to buy multiple computer accessories to listen to high-quality audio. YU2 is ready to set up right out of the box with included power cord, speaker wires, 3.5mm mini-jack audio cord, and a USB cable to connect the speakers to your computer

4. Micca OriGain Compact Stereo Integrated Amplifier and DAC, 50W x 2, 96kHz/24-Bit, USB and Optical S/PDIF (Black)

• Compact stereo amplifiers are the best choice for powering speakers in the home or office.
• Use the OriGain with speakers of any size, from small cubes to full size floor standing speakers.
• Experience the convenience and superior quality of digital audio from a computer via USB, or to from a TV's optical audio output
• 50W x 2 power output into 4 Ohm, 30W x 2 into 8 Ohm, less than 0.5% total harmonic distortion
• Includes UL-Certified 24V/4.75A power adapter with Level VI Energy Efficiency rating

5. Fosi Audio DA2120A Bluetooth Amplifier Stereo Receiver 2 Channel Audio Wireless Amp, DAC SPDIF Hi-Fi Compact Mini Integrated Class D Power Amp for Home Speakers & Active Subwoofer with Remote Control

• Multiple Funtions Supports USB, Optical, Coaxial, 3.5mm AUX and Bluetooth 4.2 apt-X input, Infrared receive & OLED display.
• Hi-Fi Performance Adopt Bluetooth CSR64215 & USB CM6642 chips, support aptX, aptX LL & 24bit/192Khz audio; High gain antenna for long range streaming up to 65 ft(20m).
• Great Sound Class d amp 50Watt x2 power with low-pass subwoofer output can drive most home speakers, TI NE5532 operational amplifier cores to ensure sound quality.
• Remote Control Multifunctional remote control for home wireless use with bass and treble control, inputs selector, EQ, mute, loudness setting, ect.
• What's Included? DA2120A, 24V power supply, remote control, AC cord, USB cable, optical cable, user manual and 18-month warranty.

6. LiNKFOR USB to Coaxial S/PDIF Optical 3.5mm/6.3mm Headphone Jack Converter USB DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter for Windows XP 7 10 and Mac PS4 PS3

• USB DAC Audio Converter Transfer The Computer's Audio Signal Through The USB Port, Covert Audio to Optical, Coaxial, 3.5mm or 6.3mm Headphone Jack.Can Also Be Used As An External Sound Card.(Note:5.1 Channel Is Incompatible, Please Set The Audio Output to PCM or LPCM)
• 16-300 Ohm Hi-Fi Headphone Amplifier Supports Most Headphones of High Impedance 16-300Ω, Signal-to-noise Ratio> 100Db, THD + N = 0.0003%, Fully Filter Noise, Enjoy High-quality Audio.
• USB Input Volume Control for Headphone Sound USB inputs,With the Volume Control Knob That You Could Adjust the headphones Volume ,
• Good Compatibility Compatible with both Windows and Mac System, For best playback in Windows.Compatible with PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One S,Which Can Be Connected Your Headphones by USB DAC for Playing Games.
• Plug and Play No Driver Required, Plug-and-play for Instant Audio playing and Compliant with All Mainstream Operation Systems. No External Power Required Provides The Easiest Way to Convert Your PC into A Hi-end Music Server.

7. Soundavo HP-DAC1 Digital to Analog Converter / Headphone Preamp DAC with USB, S/PDIF, Line Input

• High Resolution Sound Performance Support HD audio and provides clarity, separation, less muffling and more detail sound and an apparent volume boost from what was output straight from your laptop. Also improves the transparency and soundstage of the music even with MP3 files playback.
• Multiple Input Sources Selection Select different inputs from USB, Optical Toslink S/PDIF and USB by using the push buttons conveniently located on the front with single-ended RCA outputs for connection to an outboard power amp or powered speakers.
• S/PDIF Output S/PDIF output supports digital surround multichannel formats such as AC3 / DTS
• Make Your Headphones Sing Built-in high-performace headphone amplifier (32 - 600 Ohm headphone impedance recommended), delivers clearer high, deeper bass and richer sound.
• Easy Plug & Play Operation Easy to install between both Mac OS & PC Windows 10, just plug it into any USB port on your computer, HDTVs, game console, or any audio source player. NO additional driver downloads needed.

8. Kanto TUK Powered Speakers with Headphone Out, Built-in USB DAC, Dedicated RCA with Phono Pre-amp, Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD & AAC | AMT Tweeter and 5.25' Aluminum Driver | 130W Peak RMS, Matte White

• AMT TWEETERS - TUK utilizes high-performance AMT tweeters to deliver brighter, more accurate highs. Their wide horizontal dispersion also offers improved stereo imaging and soundstage.
• ALUMINUM DRIVERS - Due to their high rigidity and low mass, TUK’s aluminum drivers operate at optimal efficiency while reducing distortion at higher volumes.
• DSP CONTROLLED - TUK features integrated digital signal processing (DSP), designed to optimize audio quality and provide greater accuracy in sound reproduction.
• ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY - Along with Optical and RCA inputs, TUK includes an independent phono input for your turntable, a USB DAC, a dedicated headphone amp, and Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD and AAC codecs for high fidelity streaming.
• ACTIVE CROSSOVER - When enabled, TUK's active crossover filters out frequencies below 80Hz and sends them directly to a connected subwoofer. Off-loading this portion of the frequency range further improves resolution while reducing distortion.

9. Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

• Connectors: USB Type-A, Stereo output jack, Mono microphone-input jack.
• Driverless for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7/8/Linux/Mac OSX.
• USB bus-powered, no external power required.
• Reverse Compliant with USB Audio Device Class Specification 1.0

10. Plugable USB Audio Adapter with 3.5mm Speaker-Headphone and Microphone Jack, Add an External Stereo Sound Card to Any PC, Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux

• Enable USB connectivity with your existing 3.5 mm audio headphones, headset, speakers, or microphone.
• Perfect to bypass a faulty sound card, audio port, or as a replacement for a broken USB audio adapter
• Leave connected to a USB hub or dock to avoid unplugging. Lightweight, compact, and constructed of durable aluminum in a black finish
• No additional drivers necessary; fully plug and play on virtually all modern computers. Compatible with any standard USB Audio Class enabled system including Windows XP through 10, Linux, macOS and Google Chromebook. Not compatible with USB ports on car audio systems. Not suggested for lapel microphones
• We love our Plugable products and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty and Seattle-based email support

How quickly do things change? Just a couple of years ago a headphone enthusiast could count the number of headphone DACs in a handful of seconds. Now, in the early months of 2012 the list is significantly larger and growing with each passing day.

Specifications:

DAC type: Dual Mode USB and Optical (SPDIF)
Inputs: USB/Optical (SPDIF)
Outputs: RCA stereo/3.5mm headphone
D/A converter: AKM4396
Optical receiver: CS8416
USB controller: TI1020B
USB: Type 1.1 or above
Full-scale output: 2.0V RMS (RCA and Headphone)
Output impedance: 47 ohms RCA, 10 ohms headphone
Power source: USB 5V
Power requirements: 200mA
USB power filtering: 2-stage redundant regulation
SNR: >110db
THD+N: <0.002%
Crosstalk: <-85db
Frequency response: 10Hz – 25KHz +/- 0.5db
Input bit depth: up to 24 bits
Input data rate: up to 192kpbs (optical), 96kpbs (USB)
Product dimensions: 3.5” x 4” x 1″ Shipping weight: 1.0lbs (0.5kg)

Included accessories:

• USB cable, 26
• Setup Guide
• Microfiber bag

Audioengine D1 Dac

Enter into the market Audioengine, a well-respected member of the desktop/home office segment of the market. Since the company’s founding in 2002, Affordable$$Audio, along with countless other audio publications, have lavished well-earned high praise for every product they’ve brought to the public. From the A5 powered speakers in 2005 and way cool A-W2 wireless iPod transmitter, to the stealthily impressive N22 amplifier, Audioengine consistently delivers quality and value. When I heard that they had quietly launched the D1 DAC at last year’s RMAF, I knew it was time to experience an Audioengine review for myself.
One of the hallmarks to Audioengine’s success is their build quality-beginning with the rounded sides of the case, consistent with other AW products, and homage to the Apple-inspired past in one of the founders. The D1 is about the size of a tri-fold wallet with the body shell painted in a metallic grey. The gauge of metal is thicker than other small audio pieces in the budget category. Each end is a cap finished in a flat anodized black though it feels a bit like suede. Two recessed hex nuts secure both front and back to the cover. A nice bit of ergonomic design is the thin full-width rail foot on the bottom of each cap instead four rubber feet. The overall feel is one of solid one-piece construction and he6. A microfiber bag is included for traveling along with a USB cable.

The front cap has room for the silver volume knob (surprisingly not the same color as the cylinder), and much like the N22 Amp, no notch for the volume position. A white LED notes whether power is on. The mini-headphone jack has a nice tight snap. The back cap holds a single set of gold RCA output jacks as well as both an optical and USB input.
Like other DACs, the D1 installs into the computer-based audio system in just seconds, whether Macintosh or Windows-based. The D1 will accept optical input up to 24/192k and 96k with USB, respectively. Signal to noise ratio is stated to be 110db, a number that just a few years ago was the domain of more expensive genres.

Listening Audioengine D1

I did all of my listening using an Apple MacBook without the power cord being engaged to eliminate as much outside noise as possible. Much like the average D1 user I chose to use the half-meter USB cable provided by Audioengine. For headphones, most of my listening was done with the Sennheiser HD650, though I did spend a little time listening with an older budget pair of HD422s as well as the Skull Candy 50/50 in-ear phones.

One of the aspects of (all) headphone listening that must be taken into account is that it is a different aural experience than from speakers. For a few days prior to beginning the review I listened solely via headphones. With every selection I listening both directly from the laptop and with the D1. I began by selecting Doug Macleod’s Come To find, foreshadowing what became an obvious characteristic of the D1, a bigger and deeper soundstage. The harmonica was clearer. Bass strings were deeper with greater detail in “Bring it on Home.” Slight string loose vibration was distinct rather than fuzzy without the D1.
In the track “Since I Le6 St Louis,” a light tapping of a digit against the guitar (during the chorus) is clearly evident, but went missing without the D1 in the loop.
Switching over to the Flaming Lips’ At War with the Mystics, it contains lots of buzzy synthesizers against Prince-style talk-vocal in the track “Free Radicals.” Never had I been able to tolerate this song with DAC-free headphone gear. As a matter-of-fact, I historically avoided it altogether with the cans on. For the first time I could listen with headphone gear as the D1 was able bring out the true sound instead of fuzzy mush. Unfortunately, I was unable to say the same for the flawed “Sound of Failure,” as the distortion, whether artistic or mastered in, personally brutalized my auditory senses.

Recently, I’ve rediscovered my enjoyment of Grateful Dead and Terrapin Station in particular. I’ve always enjoyed the percussion in this recording. The D1 in particular presents tighter drums in “Sampson and Delilah.” The tom hits are placed off-center giving them a higher pitch. Listening to “Trucking,” the bass is surrounding. The high-hat hits are distinct sounds with space to themselves. The percussion is a part of the rarely used trot-style drumming with strokes coming half way between the head’s edge and center.

Changing genres once again, in the Indigo Girls’ harmonies in Strange fire, the D1 wonderfully delineated Amy Ray’s and Emily Sailiers’ unique voices in the Otle track, all the while showing how well they blend. During all my listening I can think of no better example of the difference the D1 makes than hearing the background flute in “Crazy Game” during the chorus. Without the D1, the flute is all but non-existent when straight from MacBook’s headphone out.
I would be remiss if I didn’t plug the DAC1 into my home system; taking out the PS Audio Digital Link III and inserting the DAC1 along with the MacBook. Without question the DAC1 did well for itself. All the basics of a good DAC were present, the limitations minor. There was more grain than with the PS Audio and the D1’s resolution was a bit lacking in comparison. Nevertheless, in a pinch, I wouldn’t think twice about placing the Audioengine into the system if necessity required.
During the review period I had to spend some Ome out-of-town at a job site. Knowing that a clock radio was the only “audio” source furnished at my accommodations, I borrowed Audioengine’s N22 amplifier and P4 speakers from A$$A’s founder. The setup easily fit into an overnight suitcase.
Within minutes of unpacking, I had a fine small system to keep me company as I poured over various reports and permits. Most impressive was the fullness and quality of sound at the requisite reasonable volumes. I have no doubt this situation was envisioned with Audioengine’s brain trust.

Final Thoughts about Audioengine D1

If there is anything that an engineer appreciates, it is good, quality execution and the Audioengine’s D1 DAC has it in spades. From the solid feel to the smooth edges along with the most important aspect, the sound output, the D1 is another Audioengine winner. Less expensive portable DAC’s can be found on eBay, but none with the construction, finish quality and pedigree of the D1. For a USB-only powered budget DAC, consider the Audioengine’s D1 a top-tier contender.

Audioengine D1 Xbox One

By Dan Nielsen affordableaudio.org

external link: www.audioengineusa.com

Audioengine D1 Drivers For Macbook Air

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