New DAC?

zingo

I maybe interested in a new DAC for my PC music server (which is my main source of music), but I need to do a little more research first. I currently have the Matrix mini-i balanced DAC which sounds good, but I have been disappointed with its headphone quality lately, and am now paranoid that I'm not getting the most out of my rig. Plus, I no longer need its balanced outputs, USB input, or headphone amp.



First, I'd like to start with asking if anyone in the Seattle area would want to trade DACs with me for a bit so I can do some comparing and test my ear. It would be a little easier than inga DAC and then returning it, and I'd like to test out new DACs in my rig which is the only component I haven't swapped around profusely.



Second, since I am running Klipsch Forte speakers, and anything except the quietest components bring unwanted noise into my system, does anyone have any recommendation for good DACs new or used under $600 with Toslink that might be a good match?

bikerboy

Hi Jake,
Pm me. I have a couple of Twisted Pair Audio dacs on hand and can spare one for a while. Jeff

punk-roc

people say they like those.. I would definitely take bikerboy up on that offer

zingo

Thanks for the offer jeff and I think I'll have to take you up on your offer. I'll look at my schedule and get back to you, but what works for you. FYI I moved to mill creek, so we're not quite neighbors anymore.

dkg999

I just got the Music Hall 25.3 DAC and I am pretty impressed with it. Plus you can change the sonic signature by rolling different tubes into the output stage. It includes a headphone jack and volume control. I really haven't tried the headphone output except to make sure it worked. It did seem to sound nice on my Grado SR225's for the minute or so I listened.

zingo

Ill look into the music hall thanks.

Jeff, do you have the Buffalo dac from Twisted Pear?

bikerboy

I have a Buffalo 32 and a Buffalo II which is the second generation of TPA version of the ESS 9018 dac chip. The Buffalo II has the Placid power supplies which are better IMO than the linear ps used in the Buffalo 32. I have them set up with coax and toslink inputs. LMK if you want to check them out.

MillerLiteScott

Jolida Is supposed to be coming out with a tubed DAC which I have read that they had at the RMAF 2010. Michael Allan told me about it at Capital Audio Fest and it should be in the $350 range.

I hope it sounds good because I am missing my Jolida CD player. Ted you were right about computer music, but I am still going to press on the Squeezebox Touch road.

Scott

zingo

Interesting. Are their any rumors on what chip they will be using?

dkg999

If Jolida just took the DAC/tube output section from the JD100 CDP and offered it as a separate DAC at that price it would be a winner. My Jolida CDP with Ei Elite tubes is a better output than my PS Audio DLIII DAC.

zingo

Re-he-he-eally...

zingo

Has anyone heard one of the Audio-gd dacs now that they use the EES Sabre chip on some models?

zingo

zingo wrote: »

Has anyone heard one of the Audio-gd dacs now that they use the EES Sabre chip on some models?

Audio-gd NFB-7 (Sabre32 ES9018 DAC chip)

Outputs: ACSS/XRL/RCA - truly balanced DAC
Inputs: AES/Coaxial/BNC Optical
Supports up to 32Bit/192KHz
Size: 17" W x 17" D x 3.5" H
Weight: 35lbs
Price: USD $1350 (Available begin 15th Sep.)

zingo

PM sent Jeff.

zingo

I decided to take the plunge and try the Audio-GD NFB-7. It uses the Sabre32 chip and globally has no-feedback (thus the NFB name). The thing is huge at 17"x17" and 35lbs, but inputs and outputs everything and looks extremely well built. I'm hoping it will take my PC based 2 channel rig to the next level over my current, nicely appointed integrated DAC.

drselect

Zingo, have you received the NFB-7 and if so how does it compare to your Matrix?

zingo

I've had the NFB-7 for about a week now, and there is no comparison between it and the Matrix. :biggrin: The sound quality is better, the music has more texture and life, and the clarity is excellent through my horns. I'm really glad I picked a model with the Sabre32 chip as the Kingwa can design an awesome DAC to support that great chip. The 135w total power supply is over built with one R-Core transformer for each of the boards, and the analog boards are broken out into a dual-mono design to better separation. To ever upgrade past this DAC, I would have to spend at least twice as much, and I'm not sure I'd get much return on that investment. The NFB-7 will not be the weakest link in my system as far as I can see, and I'm now eyeing Audio-gd's amps and preamps because I'm enjoying this DAC so much.