Well, I have been listening to my new purchases for a while now, and I couldn't be more pleased. I bought the Audioengine D1 USB DAC, and have listened through headphones (Audiotechnica ATH-M30), and also with the small Audioengine A2 computer speakers.
I wasn't expecting the massive change in audio quality that the DAC would provide over the onboard soundcard in my PC. The difference is night and day. I had read that the quality would improve, and it certainly did. I am hearing things in albums I have literally listened to thousands of times and never heard before. I can't wipe the grin off my face.
The sound of everything is better - from low quality 128kps MP3, 320 MP3s, FLACs (16 and 24 bit), etc. The sound of 24 bit FLACs is nothing short of amazing.
I am also blown away by the massive sound the A2 speakers throw out. They are small desktop powered speakers and get great reviews, but again, I was a little sceptical when I saw the tiny size of these. They sound incredible in my office/music room, filling it with sound that is clean, even and surprisingly full of bass.
I sound like a fluffer for this gear, but I haven't been this impressed with a purchase of electronics in a long, long time. I can't think of a better $400 someone interested in music can spend. The value of what you get for the cost is ridiculous.
If you're thinking of upgrading your PC sound system or desktop speakers, you can't go wrong.
thanks for the opportunity to gush!! ha ha
Now I need to find time to relisten to about 9 months straight of audio I have in my collection!