Review on 🔊 OREI DA21 Audio Converter: Optical/Coaxial to RCA L/R with 3.5mm Jack - Headphone/Speaker Output Support by Dangelo Toliver

I have a hearing impairment, so I'm looking for ways to maximize the audio fidelity of my headphones. I mostly listen to Apple Music on my computer. I recently discovered a little-known fact that iMacs come with digital audio outs (plugging a 3.5mm optical cable into the headphone jack allows the iMac to automatically detect that it's an optical connection and not a a wired electrical connection). The reason for this approach is that it allows me to take advantage of raw audio and use a DAC that is technologically superior to what's on the Mac motherboard. I couldn't believe I could get such a high priced device for $20, but it's true. Installing the Orei DA21 DAC between the computer and the headphones produces as good a sound as any source I've ever heard. All distortion and static is gone. The sound is clear and I can't even say I have a hearing impairment anymore. The music sounds just as good and clear as ever. Of course, the Orei DA21 also has stereo RCA outputs, which you can use to connect amplified computer speakers. Both the 3.5mm headphone output and stereo RCA output are active at the same time, so you don't have to flip the switch on the DA21 when switching from headphones to speakers. The sound quality in the speakers becomes even better than in the headphones. There is one caveat that some buyers should be aware of: a Mac's digital outputs don't respond to the computer's volume controls (I don't know how it will work on a PC). Mac volume control will be disabled. If you still use headphones without a volume control, you get full volume, which is of course unacceptable. Apps like Apple Music and YouTube that have their own volume controls STILL allow you to adjust the volume in your computer, but the Mac keyboard volume controls no longer work. So I applied the DA21 output signal to this device. I find that the best sound is achieved by setting the Volbox a little less than its maximum and then turning the volume down in Apple Music to the lowest level that sounds about right. This way distortion is kept to a minimum and you still have the option to turn up the volume for quieter tracks. If that's not enough in this example, all you have to do is go back to the app and turn up the volume a bit.