Looking for a new DAC Solution

sk1939

It's been a while since I've last posted, but here I am again.

I am looking for a new DAC, preferably around $150, and not one cent more than $200, which is a shoe string budget in the world of audiophiles I know. The problem is simple, I have a pair of Dynaudio BM6A MKII's and I want to play audio from computer which houses a large digital library. Currently for better or worse, I'm using an Audigy 2 ZS attached to a Mackie 1604-VLZ3 mixer which feeds the Dynaudio's. The Dynaudio's accept XLR only balanced inputs that are line level, so I'm leary of using something like an XLR to RCA adapter that doesn't match impedence, which would also affect the sound. I'm come up with a few possible choices:

Creative Audigy 2 ZS -> Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC2496 -> Dynaudio's

or

NuForce Icon uDAC-2 -> Mackie 1604 -> Dynaudio's

or


Sumiko Pro-Ject USB Box -> Mackie 1604 -> Dynaudio's

Ideas? Thoughts?

sk1939

I'm disappointed. No one has any suggestions whatsoever? Alright, here's a simpler question:

Pro-ject USB Box


FiiO E9

or

NuForce Icon UDAC2

bikerboy

I think the problem is not enough info. I dont know anything about my speakers but it looks like they are powered speakers that have a balanced input. I use a juli@24/192 soundcard in my pc. It uses single-ended or balanced outputs depending on how you want to configure it. It works well but if I were to do it again I would use a usb device. More compatable and less pc noise. Hope that helps.

sk1939

What kind of info are you looking for?

Music Genre: Everything
Speakers: Dynaudio BM5A MKII's via balanced XLR
Cables: Mogami Gold Balanced XLR's
Source: Computer with USB ports
What I'm looking for: Best sound output for the money.
Budget: $<200

bikerboy

Why are you using the mackie for a stereo computer setup?

sk1939

Well the PC also is used for recording audio, hence the Mackie. I also occasionally play things from a Mac which feeds into the mixer. The main reason for the Mackie rather than plugging it directly into the PC, is the impedance difference, and the unbalanced to balanced connection.

sk1939

No suggestions? Probably because of the low budget...guessI'lll stick with the Audigy 2 ZS to Mackie to Dynaudio's then.