Mac USB DAC/headphone amp - Audioengine D1 vs Asus Essence One vs ?

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PostmanPot

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 16, 2005
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34,953
Hi all

My quest for a Hackintosh means that I'll need to forgo my Asus Xonar Essence STX sound card DAC/headphone amp as it's not supported by Mac.

It needs to power my Sennheiser HD 650s. I also have Logitech Z-2300 loudspeakers which will be used at times.

I was considering the Asus Xonar Essence One which is based off the Essence STX, and it is compatible with Mac. I feel it's a bit pricey though and am keen to find what other manufacturers have to offer.

I came across the Audioengine D1 which seems to tick all the boxes. It also has enough power to drive my Sennheiser HD 650s.

Has anyone got experience with these or other Mac USB DAC/headphone amps?

Thanks in advance.
 
garyc

garyc

Expert Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2010
Messages
3,632
How about this one from Asus http://www.asus.com/za/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_U7_Echelon_Edition/? The spec sheet claims that it does not need any drivers for OS X.

A friend bought the non-echelon version and the sound quality seemed similar to slightly better than the STX. Maybe it can run in asynchronous USB mode but the specs don't say anything about this. If it can then it will be able to do jitter correction, which the STX can't.

No idea how it is for driving headphones, but here is a thread that you can look at http://www.head-fi.org/t/669127/asus-xonar-u7-dac-amp-appreciation-impressions-thread.
 
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PostmanPot

Honorary Master
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Messages
34,953
garyc said:
How about this one from Asus http://www.asus.com/za/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_U7_Echelon_Edition/? The spec sheet claims that it does not need any drivers for OS X.

A friend bought the non-echelon version and the sound quality seemed similar to slightly better than the STX. Maybe it can run in asynchronous USB mode but the specs don't say anything about this. If it can then it will be able to do jitter correction, which the STX can't.

No idea how it is for driving headphones, but here is a thread that you can look at http://www.head-fi.org/t/669127/asus-xonar-u7-dac-amp-appreciation-impressions-thread.
Click to expand...

No 6.35mm jack, and it wouldn't drive HD 650s to their full potential. Feedback is impressive though.
 
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