A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for an audio system in a media device, such as a portable media device or smart phone, may be operated to turn off portions of the DAC to reduce power consumption. Segments of a segment-able DAC may be powered off when the output level of the DAC is lower than the full scale output of the DAC. For example, DAC elements within a finite impulse response (FIR) DAC may be turned off when a desired output level can be obtained with less than all DAC elements of the FIR DAC.