Best desktop DAC/amp for an old iMac (2015) and average bookshelf speaker?

Aug 12, 2019
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I'm setting up my home, well flat-office, and starting from scratch having recently lost my portable dac/amp while travelling. What would work well with an iMac? I'm looking to spend less than £300 ish as i'm on a small budget due to new circumstances but I can't live without my music. I prefer using Tidal for streaming and don't mind a bit of MQA. I've used an iFi before - the now lost nano BL) but I'm open to suggestions. Doesn't have to be portable as I now pretty much office based. Thanks.
 

CKKeung

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2011
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Hong Kong
I'm setting up my home, well flat-office, and starting from scratch having recently lost my portable dac/amp while travelling. What would work well with an iMac? I'm looking to spend less than £300 ish as i'm on a small budget due to new circumstances but I can't live without my music. I prefer using Tidal for streaming and don't mind a bit of MQA. I've used an iFi before - the now lost nano BL) but I'm open to suggestions. Doesn't have to be portable as I now pretty much office based. Thanks.
Hello Audiomonkey777,
The products of iFi and Pro-ject should meet your need.
Giving them a LPS will improve the sonic performance further.
:)
 
Aug 12, 2019
34
6
10
52
Hello Audiomonkey777,
The products of iFi and Pro-ject should meet your need.
Giving them a LPS will improve the sonic performance further.
:)

Thanks. Mmm get the LPS should help things most definitely. . I was also reading eslewhere that my iMac could potentially have grounding issues as well. I can't say I noticed a hum or buzz before but then I wasn't settled long enough really. Listened to more audio on the move.

I need to have a look at Pro-ject then. I have used iFi before but fancy branching out a bit. Any suggestions of the Pro-ject front?
 

Mr Rickz

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2019
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Southern California
If you can get by without MQA the range of DACs from Schiit Audio offer good value for money.
 
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