Is it worth buying a usb dac for my laptop?

Jaseow

Estimable
Mar 10, 2014
2
0
4,510
Hi there i have a Gigabyte p15v2 laptop.

http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5024#sp

I currently have a soundbar connected to it via hdmi. I was wondering if I am making use of the full potential of the soundbar or would buying a usb dac be more beneficial.

I understand if I connect via hdmi I will be making use of the dac on the soundbar? But if I connect via 3.5mm cable I would be making use of the laptop's dac?

In that case a usb dac would be useless in a hdmi setup correct?

But if connected via 3.5mm cable a usb dac might provide better quality sound?
 
Solution
It doesn't sound like a DAC is correct for your setup. It would be 2 channel (for music not video) and if your soundbar is 3 channel you would lose that. If you want better sound you need to explore a system with a surround receiver and speakers.