[Zoom25]

I have a 2011 15" I7 macbook pro. I currently have Grado SR80 headphones and cable finally starting to go so I have ordered the Oppo PM3 headphones. I'm thinking of also adding an external USB DAC (but don't really want to spend much at all) if it will be an improved sound over the built-in DAC. I'm looking at this Fiio K1 DAC for $40 (http://www.fiio.net/en/products/48). 
Do you guys think this, even though cheap compared to many other external DAC's, would be an improvement over the built in macbook DAC?

Not necessarily. I got rid of the Fiio E10 and E11 when I got the newer MacBook Pro a few years back.

 

[wingtsun]

Don't know whether you saw it but here's what I did with my 15" Mid-2010 MBP:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/792463/
 
The thread was addressing the use of a speaker but the setup is really a headphone setup. I use a set of Grados with mine.

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

Okay, this is interesting, I stumbled upon this thread at the right time. I have been introduced to the world of FLAC 24bit/96khz files via MPlayer X on my MacBook Pro. I have had a pair of Sennheiser HD 380s for the last 3 years and when I plug in to this set up it sounds fantastic. Plenty of juice and no need for an amp in terms of power. BUT... are you folks tellng me a headphone amp of some kind can make this sound even better?

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

Also, just picked up a pair of used Sennheiser HD 545s in mint condition and things are sounding a further step improved. Wow.