Product showcase - GameDAC Gen 2

Product showcase - GameDAC Gen 2

GameDAC Gen 2 is an external USB sound card. SteelSeries has provided the first generation already in 2018 for the Arctis Pro headset. The new version provided in the reviewed product should have a 78% purer sound.

The used chip is the ESS Sabre 9128PQ40 (previously, it was Sabre 9018), capable of handling 24-bit/96 kHz PCM audio (Hi-Res). Although such formats are DSD are not supported, so it’s not hardware for the audiophiles.

A 4-pole 3.5 mm audio output is placed on the left side of GameDAC Gen 2.

There are two USB-C ports at the back for audio and power delivery. There are also 3.5 mm line inputs and outputs (no TOSLINK available). The USB-C ports can be used for two inputs, like PC and Playstation 5, and the volume is saved separately.

The volume wheel is large and pleasant to use as it is an anodized metal that’s cool to the touch (and can be pressed). There’s an OLED display and a touch-sensitive back button. 

There are many options to set here, like equalizer, brightness, output gain, sidetone, etc. The dial works as the volume knob, but with a long press, you get into the menu, which includes USB input selection (to switch between sources), audio options (EQ, gain, MIC settings), line-out options, and then system settings (brightness, tutorial, and reset).

When you start up the GameDAC for the first time, you’re taken through a brief tutorial that explains how to use it. The device will ask if you’re in the EU region, and if you choose “yes,” the maximum volume output of the headset is restricted to comply with EU regulations.