Affordable and high-quality DAC for gaming.
If you enjoy listening to music or playing games, you might have thought about purchasing a Digital-to-Analog Converter known as DAC. However, it might be challenging to select the best DAC for gaming if you are a beginner. Advanced gamers also don’t know which specifications they should pay attention to. To facilitate this task, I have compiled a list of things you need to consider when making your choice.
After reading this article, you will understand clearly what you should take into account when purchasing a DAC. I will tell you why it’s crucial to pay attention to the sound quality and amps that come with a DAC. Make sure to read my article about the best DACs to make an informed choice.
Inputs: 4 | Outputs: 1 | Bluetooth: Yes | Max sample rate support: 24 bit / 192 kHz PCM
The DoukAudio P1 is one of the newest members in the ever growing family of audio amplifiers. They have really packed a lot into this little package. You can get a full range of features and a lot of power in a small package, which is definitely an advantage. It's great for gamers, people on the go, and even for those just looking for a nice little something to listen to at home with friends. I'll take a look at some of the features of the P1 and then I will look at why it is so popular.
One of the most popular features is that this amplifier has two left and right ear buds. This enables you to turn the sound off right handed, which is a cool feature for gaming. Also, there are controls on the front of the unit so you can quickly turn the volume up or down without turning your head to each side. Another great feature is the ability to plug in your iPod or other music device right into the sound card so you don't need an external amp. All the other features in the P1 are great as well, such as the built in speakers.
Inputs: 1 | Outputs: 3 | Bluetooth: No | Max sample rate support: 24 bit / 120 kHz PCM
For a few bucks more, you can get professional equipment of comparable quality. In terms of connectivity, it has an optical output port for connecting your headphones to your PC or stereo system, an eight-channel sound card, a USB port, a FireWire port, and it also has an audio cable for connecting your computer to your audio interface.
Schiit Fulla 3 has several advantages over other full-range sound cards for laptops. Compared to a card such as Realtec PCI Express card which plugs into your laptop USB port, it offers two premium audio inputs with separate frequency response and bass response, two channels of digital surround sound with two separate frequency ranges, and front panel controls with knobs for volume, bass, treble, and any other controls. These features give you supreme audio performance.
Inputs: 3 | Outputs: 2 | Bluetooth: No | Max sample rate support: 20 bit / 120 kHz PCM
The KGUSS AC adapter for gaming PC is a USB type of device that connects to the computer's USB port and provides an audio interface that can be used with audio devices like microphones, digital music players, and other types of media players. This connection is not reversible, so you should connect it up through a USB cable that is provided by the computer manufacturer or an easily accessible USB connector on the side or back of the device. A six-foot cord is supplied with the KGUSS AC. It is very easy to use since there are only two buttons - a start button and a volume button. The product also comes with a KGUSS driver that allows the soundcard to be recognized and used with any operating system.
That the product has a very large supplied power supply that can provide all of the necessary power that is required to run the device. The power supply has an on/off switch that can be easily turned off when not in use. Another feature of this product that is unique to this line is that the KGUSS DAC-K3 mini hifi usb dac audio headphone amplifier has a very long supply voltage which allows this device to operate even when the computer's power source is switched off.
Inputs: 2 | Outputs: 1 | Bluetooth: Yes | Max sample rate support: 24 bit / 192 kHz PCM
The highly aesthetically-pleasing Fosi Audio DAC Convertor & Amplifier are by far the best bargain audio amplifier around. It has an all-black-clad body, made of high-class aluminum. As a result, the amplifier is both visually attractive and ruggedly durable. In addition, it boasts a number of highly integrated discrete components which work to supplement sound quality.
The Fosi AudioACD Multiport Audio Amplifier can be used to upgrade your home theatre system, add speakers to your personal computer system, or even connect your television set up to your home theater system or your hi-fi audio system with a surround sound speaker incorporated enclosure. This is a very cost-effective Audio Amplifier/ Processor that offers you professional sound quality in your own home or office, whether you are a gamer a music lover, or a movie buff.
Inputs: 3 | Outputs: 1 | Bluetooth: No | Max sample rate support: 24 bit / 96 kHz PCM
For any serious gaming fan, FX-Audio's new dac-x6 external headphone amp is a must-have. This professional headphone amplifier can handle even the highest performing gaming system at home or on the go. With six phases of amplification, the FX Audio dac-x6 delivers the ultimate in high-quality sound reproduction. It's a simple and straightforward design that lets you easily manage and change volume from any position in any vehicle. In addition, you also have the ability to connect this headset amplifier to your computer for hands-free operation of your audio system.
When compared to typical portable wireless speakers, the FX-Audio dac-x6 will produce higher quality sounds at any volume. This professional headphone amplifier is truly one of a kind. You can listen to your favorite music or your favorite tunes at any volume. For audiophiles, the FX-Audio dac-x6 headphone amplifier is truly a great bargain.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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DoukAudio P1
Our choice
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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Schiit Fulla 3
External
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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KGUSS DAC-K3
Modern
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CHECK PRICE → |
If you are an avid music fan, you might prefer a particular genre and know that audio tracks come in various formats. In cases when the quality of a track is rather low, a DAC is unlikely to improve it much. The same is true for gaming.
Thanks to a DAC, your overall listening experience will be improved. However, it’s better to play high-quality audio. When playing downloaded files or listening to audio tracks on streaming services and YouTube, you will be able to enjoy clear sound. In some cases, you will need to manually select the highest resolution or even adjust the streaming settings when using some services, such as Spotify.
When selecting the best DAC for gaming, keep in mind that other components of your audio system should deliver decent performance as well. Otherwise, the sound quality won’t be improved. You need to purchase high-end speakers and headphones to make the most out of your DAC. If you pay $2,000 for a DAC and use it with a mid-range home theater, you won’t notice a significant quality boost. Similarly, if you have an expensive audio system with costly amplifiers, a budget DAC won’t do.
It’s important to consider the quality of the cable used with your DAC as it might affect sound quality. While most devices come with cables, some users prefer replacing them to enjoy a more immersive listening experience. You can purchase USB cables for your PC or optical digital and coaxial digital cables that will be a perfect solution for CD- or online music players.
To connect DAC to a stereo system, you need to use a high-quality analog cable. For this purpose, you can use XLR, RCA or stereo-mini cables.
