Inexpensive USB DAC <$50

[aud19]

Getting REALLY tired of listening to my work PC's hum via onboard audio ports over my head phones. Don't need something for critical listening, just largely want to clean up the noise.

And since it's going to be sitting in my office 24/7, I'd prefer something pretty cheap inexpensive in case someone has 'sticky fingers' and walks off with it, spills a coffee on it etc.

The Behringer UCA202 seems to be relatively well reviewed in that price point.

http://www.music-group.com/Categories/Behringer/Computer-Audio/Audio-Interfaces/UCA202/p/P0484#

Any thoughts? Alternatives? ?

[wkhanna]

Jason, get a DragonFly Black.

[aud19]

Jason, get a DragonFly Black.

It's 3X the price of the Behringer in CAD....

And since it's going to be sitting in my office 24/7, I'd prefer something pretty cheap inexpensive in case someone has 'sticky fingers' and walks off with it, spills a coffee on it etc.

[Alaric]

Getting REALLY tired of listening to my work PC's hum

8O That ain't good. Is it a loose receptacle? Does it go away if you put your hand on the case? And are you sure the hum won't be in the USB signal? Does it have the hum in the front and rear audio ports? Am I asking enough annoying questions? Am I? :B

[wkhanna]

opps....ops:

then this Schiit will not fit your budget requirements either, i guess.....

[aud19]

Huge help Lee :

No it won't Bill :

Big help guys.... :lol:

[Alaric]

Weeeellll, I was looking for the real inexpensive fix. Checking both audio jacks is likely the extent of free fixes involved, since it is a work computer. Safe to say you tried both, then? Behringer is a solid brand. It's probably not a bad unit, more likely the good has limits than it does anything awful. For your stated requirements it sounds like a pretty good option. Can you get one with a good return policy? In case the hum isn't confined to the audio jacks? Because if you can't return it and it doesn't fix the problem you may want some Schiit you can use at home.

[PewterTA]

This got pretty good reviews for it's price:

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=123

This also got rated pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B005PWPUW6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354067645&sr=8-3&keywords=fiio+dac

[aud19]

This got pretty good reviews for it's price:

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=123

This also got rated pretty good:

https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-...words=fiio+dac

Thanks Dan, that first one looks like solid competition to the Behringer.

[Ovation]

This piece of Schiit might be worth a look. :W

[aud19]

This piece of Schiit might be worth a look. :W

Hmm...on sale for $59(USD) presently too.

Is it Asynchronous? Doesn't seem to say....

[aud19]

This piece of Schiit might be worth a look. :W

Seems there's some 'Not good with noisy USB ports' comments in the Amazon reviews. That's a bit concerning as intermittent (RF? Ground?) noise (albeit over the onboard analog outs) is the main reason I want to get something. I'd not be surprised if the USB ports aren't 'quiet' too...*sigh*

[Hdale85]

Do you have an optical out on that computer? I'd try and use that if you have noise issues if possible.

[aud19]

Nope, no optical.

[Hdale85]

Well that's unfortunate lol.