Entry level DAC
Comments
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I'm still getting the bugs out. Using the USB interface requires a bit of tweaking.
And USB cables DO make a difference. But not like you'd think. I got a AQ usb 5' cable,
and I ended up using a 3' belkin that sounded better. Short is better when it comes to usb
and audio. The Headamp Pico DAC may win this battle."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Well the Audio-gd edged out the Pico. Given the Pico is line powered, It performs pretty well.
The Audio-gd nfb3 adds more substance to drums and saxophone, and vocals are more pronounced.
Yes, it's very overbuilt. But only the sound counts. The Arcam DAC was on my list, and perhaps I should
went that way. But for now I'll be selling the Pico. The nfb3 set me back $250 delivered, so you can
hardly go wrong with that purchase. The new 3.1 version allows you to change digital filter setting,
which also gives you some control over the sound. Once again, watch the length of the USB cable.
Shorter is better. The list of under $500 DACS grows daily, and watching used gives you even better
performance for the money. I've seen PSaudio DLIII at $425, the Dacmagic at $250, and refurbed
Arcam DACS from a EBAY seller at $400 delivered(he's sold a bunch!).
I picked up a garage sale IBM thinkcentre pc for $6(dead drive), dropped a $45 500g drive in it, and
loaded windows with foobar and my music to make testing easier betwwen the two DACS.
But any of you out there could do the same. Under $60 for a machine, add a used DAC, and you can
have a system that matches many mid-fi CDP's. OF couse many may not have spare monitors and keyboards,
but my current music system monitor is a 19" flat screen I got for $30 (not widescreen) and the
my spare keyboard/mouse cost a buck."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Well here it is 2 weeks later and still no DAC. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM Badgirl on Audiogon. His/her communication is next to nothing and I have been getting the run around for shipment info and tracking info. Just filed a claim on Paypal. I purchased some cables from him/her before and everything went great. Recent feedback looks like the same thing happening to multiple people. :frown:
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SpiceRoute wrote: »http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/V-Series/V-DAC/V-DAC.asp
The V-DAC MKII. This could be very nice. Is it for sale in the U.S. yet? Has anyone listened to it?
+1
The V-DAC Mkll is now listed on Crutchfield.com
I'm using the V-DAC l with the V-Link (the Mkll version has the V-Link built in and some other tweaks). I'm powering the V-DAC with a Pyramid PS-3KX power supply.
MediaMonkey > Monster USB cable > V-Link > 18" optical cable > V-DAC > BetterCables ICs to my Denon amp.
With hi-res 96khz/24bit files, there's nothing not to like about this arrangement for the $$ spent. I also rip CDs to FLAC with no compression, and they sound excellent as well.
I'm running my older Denon DCD-815 CD player through the V-DAC as well (nice improvement vs. the internal DAC), but the same CD ripped as a FLAC to my PC HD and running through the V-Link sounds better to my ears.Old-time Stereophile
Denon PMA 2000IVR
Denon DCD-815
Music Fidelity V-DAC with Pyramid PS3KX Power Supply
Music Fidelity V-Link
Polk LSi9s sitting on VTI VSP Series 24 Stands
SVS 20-39PC Plus
Monster Studio Pro Speaker Cables
Monster USB Cable
Better Cables ICs -
Canonshooter wrote: »The V-DAC Mkll is now listed on Crutchfield
Hmmm.... Sexy and ONLY $349. I like that price given you can use it with up to 3 devices....."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
EndersShadow wrote: »Hmmm.... Sexy and ONLY $349. I like that price given you can use it with up to 3 devices.....
Oh my god, the VDAC mkii is only 349?!:surprised: That's ridiculous. I just checked to make sure. :rolleyes: It's on Amazon for that price too.
It was rumored to be more like 500-550 for a while.
So basically you're getting the VLink, a few other tweaks, and a much nicer chassis for $49.
That's a frickin' steal.
This thing should completely rule the market at that price.
:biggrin:2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses
Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's -
Just get the Pyramid power supply, even with the Mkll -
http://www.amazon.com/Pyramid-PS3KX-3-Amp-12-Volt-Supply/dp/B0002JTD2K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1318282634&sr=8-5Old-time Stereophile
Denon PMA 2000IVR
Denon DCD-815
Music Fidelity V-DAC with Pyramid PS3KX Power Supply
Music Fidelity V-Link
Polk LSi9s sitting on VTI VSP Series 24 Stands
SVS 20-39PC Plus
Monster Studio Pro Speaker Cables
Monster USB Cable
Better Cables ICs -
Finally received my Cambridge DAC Magic today. Listened to some tunes for about only 45 minutes so far. Between using the DAC and letting the Elite SC-35 do it's thing I can notice a difference in the mid range, it is not mind blowing but I noticed some positive differences on songs that I have been enjoying for over 15 years. I am glad I bought it and for the $315 I spent I will be keeping it but also I have more respect for the DACs in the Elite now. So not a huge difference but I'm happy.
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This one is getting a lot of play
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=7
It is the subject of a 62 page thread on Head-Fi
