binary 1s and 0s becoming an audio wave

What is a DAC and Do I Even Need One?

Among audiophiles, the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is a common topic of discussion. A DAC is the technology responsible for converting digital audio, which is composed of binary 1s and 0s, into analog signals that our ears can comprehend as sound. Without a DAC, digital music stored on CDs, smartphones, and other digital devices would remain …

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Best Headphone Amps (Updated For 2024)

Most listeners plug their headphones straight into their laptop or smartphone headphone jack. Simple, right?  Which begs the question, why would anyone be interested in buying a headphone amp? The short answer is the 3.5mm audio jack on computers or devices like the iPhone or iPad aren’t very powerful. This means they often can’t provide …

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Best DAC 2023: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

The average person doesn’t know what a DAC is. And yet, it’s almost certain that they’ve used not one, but dozens, of DACs throughout their lifetime. Audio went digital and now pretty much everything we listen to is stored as a bunch of 0s and 1s. CDs, MP3s, WAV, FLAC and almost every audio format …

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