Quality improvement with cheap external DAC + Mini?

[J Nix]

I currently have a slightly odd set up in my kitchen; single Dali Oberon 3, with a Mini and a cheap Douk G4 mono amp.

(Long story - basically I had the opportunity to get a free Oberon 3, matching the pair I'm running as my main 2.1 set up with an Amp Pro.)

It being mono isn't a problem.- I'm wandering round cooking, not sat down listening. The amp combines L+R channels, so I'm not missing out on half the sound.

Question: Would I notice a material difference with a cheep external DAC? I'm thinking probably a SMSL SU‑1.

Input to the Mini is Tidal via WiFi, or the BBC Sounds app via Bluetooth. Or when it's used as multi-room, the same apps, or TV connected via optical, sent from the main Amp Pro.

Thanks

 

[Mr Ee]

I currently have a slightly odd set up in my kitchen; single Dali Oberon 3, with a Mini and a cheap Douk G4 mono amp.

(Long story - basically I had the opportunity to get a free Oberon 3, matching the pair I'm running as my main 2.1 set up with an Amp Pro.)

It being mono isn't a problem.- I'm wandering round cooking, not sat down listening. The amp combines L+R channels, so I'm not missing out on half the sound.

Question: Would I notice a material difference with a cheep external DAC? I'm thinking probably a SMSL SU‑1.

Input to the Mini is Tidal via WiFi, or the BBC Sounds app via Bluetooth. Or when it's used as multi-room, the same apps, or TV connected via optical, sent from the main Amp Pro.

Thanks

Welcome.
In my opinion the mini's analog out is easily bettered by pretty much any dac.
The su-1 seems highly regarded, especially for its low price.

For fun, have you tried the mini into the amp pro, both analog and optical?
Yes, the amp will adc the line in, but I think it give you a reasonable indication of what to expect.

 

[d6jg]

If it is non critical Kitchen listening while you cook I'd say nothing to be gained by having a separate DAC - will just be another box that needs to be powered and potentially a waste of a power socket.

 

[J Nix]

Welcome.
In my opinion the mini's analog out is easily bettered by pretty much any dac.
The su-1 seems highly regarded, especially for its low price.

For fun, have you tried the mini into the amp pro, both analog and optical?
Yes, the amp will adc the line in, but I think it give you a reasonable indication of what to expect.

That's a great shout. I can even use the sub out from the Amp Pro, into the mono Douk and the single Oberon. So I'm just using the Pro as a DAC.