If you decide to use the latter, you'll still need to connect that USB port to your computer or to a USB power adapter (Audioengine sells one for $18.00) since the D1 gets its power from the USB input. The wired D1 DAC offers a 24-bit/96kHz input via USB and a 24-bit/192kHz input via optical Toslink.
The Audioengine D1 is the Audioengine wired DAC priced at $169 and there's also a wireless DAC, the D2 which comes in at $599 (I have one of these here as well, review coming soon). I believe it was when the word "resolute" left my lips that I saw the most obvious signs of fatigue weigh down on them like the prospect of Sisyphus' boulder sitting once again at the bottom of that big-ass hill. I ran into Audioengine co-founders Brady Bargenquast and Dave Evans earlier this month at their booth in the South Hall of CES 2012 and when they asked what I thought about a certain DAC, I began to describe in standard audiophile-speak its sonic merits and demerits.
Posted: Device Type: Digital to Analog Convertor Input: (1) S/PDIF TosLink (24-bit/192kHz), (1) USB (24-bit/96kHz) Output: (1) pair RCA, (1) 3.5mm headphone Dimensions: 3.5 x 4 x 1" Weight: 1.0lbs (0.5kg) Availability: Online and through Authorized Dealers Price: $169.00 Website: The Weight The Audioengine D1 DAC is the latest product from a company whose products I would describe as no nonsense in a hobby not exactly famous for no nonsense.Audioengine D1 24-Bit DAC | AudioStream DAC Reviews Audioengine D1 24-Bit DAC By Michael Lavorgna