Home > Consumer Reviews > Audiophile Products Fubar III - Black USB DAC / Headphone Amplifier

I've had the Fubar III USB DAC for a couple of months now and I must say, it is awesome. My primary computer is a laptop and the onboard sound was producing less than desirable results. I went looking for a USB solution that would allow me to play my lossless audio files through my stereo with good quality. I don't require surround sound or any fancy processing, just pure stereo sound. After weeks of research and deciding, I purchased the Fubar III. I decided to go with the Fubar III over the Fubar II because I do a fair amount of headphone listening.

This device is completely plug and play on XP, Vista, and Mac OS X (I personally tested it on those OS's). I'm sure it will work on Linux and older versions of Windows too.

The sound quality is excellent. This unit is very transparent which is exactly what I was looking for. I should note that I also purchased the upgraded "Supplier" power supply (Audiophile Products Supplier Power Supply Unit) which actually does make a noticeable difference in sound quality. With the supplier, the sound is more solid and full. It's hard to describe but the sound is definitely better with the power supply upgrade.

I recommend this product for anyone looking to get high quality sound out of their computer.

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.

I've been, for a long time, listening to my mp3 collection through average headphones and speakers, also using the bundled soundcard with my computer. I decided to upgrade the experience and I have had no regrets so far.

I currently use a pair of Sennheiser HD 595's and got this Fubar III DAC/Headphone amplifier. I also got the dedicated power supply unit since the combined price of the two is great for an audiophile, entry level solution.

I've been using the Fubar III for several weeks now and I'm pleased to say that the sound is far better than what I was getting from my 20" iMac's bundled sound card. The Fubar III's sound is much cleaner, clearer and with a better dynamic range. I say 'much' because it's so easily appreciated. I haven't used the Fubar III without the power supply, but I'm sure that without the power supply it will still easily outperform a computers soundcard DAC and headphone output. The power supply is supposed to provide better support for sound at the extreme ends of the sound dynamics making for an even fuller and punchier sound quality.

As to setting it up, it was dead easy. I simply plugged in the power supply unit which comes with a short connector for the Fubar III. I stacked them together to make a neat and tight combo, taking up pleasingly little desktop real estate. I then connected the Fubar III via USB to the iMac and that's it. No drivers to install and it's supposed to be similarly easy for Windows XP/Vista driven machines.

The Fubar III is sturdily and cutely built. It sports a aluminium casing and a large, smooth volume control knob. It's weakness, though depending on one's perspective, this could be considered a strength, is it's focused design with not too many options for use. For one, the only input is via USB, so you can only use it on a computer that will provide a digital feed via USB. For instance, you can't connect your iPod to it to take advantage of the headphone amp.
Additionally, it has only one RCA line out that could be used for desktop self powered speakers or a stereo system. But then again, for my intended purpose, it provided just what I needed and nothing more and this likely has a lot to do with its reasonable price tag when considering the quality DAC and headphone amplification you get from it.

Now that I've discovered the potential in an external DAC and headphone amp, I'll be soon upgrading, but just to give an idea, a decent upgrade to the Fubar III will easily exceed US$1500. For this reason, I heartily give this unit a solid 5 stars. I highly recommend it for those looking at significantly boosting the quality of their computer's sound at reasonable cost. I also highly recommend the separate power supply unit for it Audiophile Products Supplier Power Supply Unit. May as well go the full distance and get the most out of it.