Ask any audiophile what can make digital music sound good (though not great as nothing beats vinyl. ) and they will tell you it is three things: music that is in a uncompressed format, good speakers (or headphones) and a killer DAC. The Digital Analog Converter is what gives your music a "flavor". Some DAC's make the music sound warmer, some make it sound more colder; but no matter what your music taste a good DAC can make your listening experience a positive or a terrible one. The lowly DAC really is that big a deal.
Sadly, when it comes to USB devices, the DAC's used in them are usually suboptimal at best and usually can be summed up by saying their best feature is their low price. It is for this reason the
Furutech GT40 USB-DAC is so intriguing as they usher in a new area of music enjoyment with its high grade DAC's. Imagine being able to combine the ease of use & portability that USB offers, with the killer sound that only a high grade DAC can give you. Now imagine a device that can do all that and you have what could be the ultimate audiophile dream come true. This really does sound like a radical departure from the everyday and maybe even herald in a paradigm shift with USB audio no longer being considered inferior devices. The only caveat is that the GT-40 DAC costs $480.
Via Slate
Creative X-Fi HD USB Sound Card Embraces THX TruStudio Pro
By Anthony Garland on December 27th, 2010
