Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)USB DACs are the hottest thing in audio right now. The primary advantage of the Fubar III is that it it's so small--barely larger than three packs of playing cards stacked on top of each other. And because it has a USB connection (the only input it has, BTW!) and contains a volume control, you can route it directly from your computer to powered computer speakers without the need for any other components. Best of all, it's highly portable, so you can pack it with your laptop and take it with you, for enjoying high-quality sound through headphones (mini-jack only) while traveling.
For running between a computer and your home stereo, even a secondary stereo in your office, I highly recommend adding the "Supplier" power supply. For only an extra C-note or so, the improvement is easily audible and well worthwhile.
As a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) the Fubar III is surprisingly good, although I feel deficient in experience with more expensive units, which compromises my ability to rank it comparatively. It's a non-upsampling DAC, so CD quality is the best it does. And while I find the sound as good on my home stereo as a decent- or good-quality mid-range CD player, it could be improved--chiefly I notice a bit of hard glassiness on piano music, and a slightly synthetic smoothness to the sound overall. Detail, clarity and dynamics are very pleasing, however, and I can't imagine anyone would be dissatisfied for the money.
The imperative for most people is to get away from the soundcard bundled into their computers, and in that respect the Fubar III is a real winner--it blows away the sound of the soundcard in my 20" iMac. I'm now looking to replace mine with a standalone DAC in the $700-$1500 range, but I have to say I sometimes pause to wonder if the more expensive DACs I'm considering (Benchmark DAC1 USB, Stello DA100, PS Audio Digital Link III, none of which I've heard) could really sound all *that* much better. You'd think so; but then, the Fubar III is really quite good. For the price the Fubar III is easy to recommend. Do consider adding the Supplier power supply, though, whether now or later, if you're going to use the unit at home.
The other thing you need to know is that it runs right off the drivers in the computer, making it *very* simple to set up. A child could follow the directions. Oh, and it comes with a USB cable and interconnects! Nice touch.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Audiophile Products Fubar III - Black USB DAC / Headphone Amplifier
The Fubar III USB DAC / Headphone Amp lets you connect your computer to your Amplifier and stream your entire music library with remarkable fidelity! Enjoying "High End" sound from your computer has never been easier! With the Fubar III you simply plug and play without having to install additional software or drivers. The Fubar III takes the digital signal from your computer and coverts it to a high quality analog output that connects to any amp or preamp or use the built in headphone amp and listen with your favorite headphones. The full size USB connection is fully compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.
