USB to RCA DAC, Headphone Amp & Pre with volume control: Does one exist?

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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited February 2012
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    That being said, I highly recommend that you add the PeachTree to your list as well :biggrin:

    Read a couple reviews quick. I like what I see but for the price. I am seriously hoping one of the DACs in the 300-400 dollar range are close :smile:, specifically the Keces.......

    The list I have running to read up/check out is below. You will note most of these are also in the DAC shootout :smile:

    KECES DA-151
    Audio GD NFB-3
    Schiit Bitfrost
    Arcan rDac
    PeachTree Audio DAC-iT
    "....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)
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  • Bobsama
    Bobsama Posts: 526
    edited February 2012
    Am I too late? There's also the Topping D2 DAC for $185. It does it all--USB, Coax, Optical, line-in, line-out, and a headphone amp section. Plus it's small and you can get a second DC power brick for the office or even a second one entirely.
    polkaudio Monitor 5 Series II
    polkaudio SDA-1 (with the SL1000)
    TEAC AG-H300 MK III stereo receiver
    beyerdynamic DT-880 Premium (600 Ω) headphones
    SENNHEISER HD-555 headphones
    Little Dot MK IV tube headphone amp
    Little Dot DAC_I balanced D/A converter
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2012
    One thing to add in there - and I can't believe I'm saying this - is get a good usb cable if you haven't already.

    After someone (Face, I think) suggested the upgrade, I picked up a Wiredworld UV to replace my cheapie on the office rig. Cannot believe the difference for 50 bucks. Even lower quality stuff like Pandora streaming at 192 sounds much better. Improved clarity, stage, and freq range. I was hearing instruments behind me today. Lovely, deep arc surrounding me. I'm very happy with my 200 buck usb cable and HRT combo using bit perfect (WASAPI). And with warm punch from the old Marantz and CRS+'s, I just can't get enough.

    I'm anxious to see how the Audio GD does. I've ordered the 12.1 and may move up for the den rig if it gets good marks. FWIW, I do really like the flexibility, sound, and value of the Emo XDA-1, but feel I can improve here.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited February 2012
    vcwatkins wrote: »
    One thing to add in there - and I can't believe I'm saying this - is get a good usb cable if you haven't already.

    After someone (Face, I think) suggested the upgrade, I picked up a Wiredworld UV to replace my cheapie on the office rig. Cannot believe the difference for 50 bucks. Even lower quality stuff like Pandora streaming at 192 sounds much better. Improved clarity, stage, and freq range. I was hearing instruments behind me today. Lovely, deep arc surrounding me. I'm very happy with my 200 buck usb cable and HRT combo using bit perfect (WASAPI). And with warm punch from the old Marantz and CRS+'s, I just can't get enough.

    I'm anxious to see how the Audio GD does. I've ordered the 12.1 and may move up for the den rig if it gets good marks. FWIW, I do really like the flexibility, sound, and value of the Emo XDA-1, but feel I can improve here.

    Yeah I will invest in a decent USB cable. Thankfully by the time I actually buy I will have moved and my office will be reconfigured. The new setup will hopefully allow for me to get a decent USB cable since I shouldnt need something that long as I plan to put the DAC and integrated right next to/on top of the computer.
    "....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)
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited February 2012
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    OK, a few comments:

    I think I already mentioned this, but the maverick is only OK. It's not terrible but i just didn't like it very much. How a tube component can suck all the life out of music is beyond me, but that's basically what it does. It's OK for the price I guess, but not my cup of tea.


    This has long been my opinion- Better a good SS design that a bad with a tube.
    Too many Chinese companies tossed one in here or there in a CDP or DAC.
    For the most part, good DAcs or CDPs don't have them or need them. You want
    tubes- buy a good preamp.
    "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
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