Which DAC...

cstmar01

So trying to figure out what DAC would be the best.

I want to use USB for hi rez for now and also plan on using a squeezebox down the road.

I want something that has wonderful SQ.

Overall my budget is about 1500.

I've been looking at the Wyred DAC 2, Antelope Silver (I thought it will do 24/192), and the PS Audio PWD (won't do 24/192 on USB unless you get the upgrade).

I'm almost tempted to buy a Schiit Bifrost for now until I can make up my mind what better DAC but don't know if that would just be a waste of money or not.

The PWD I've heard in a system and really like it, however would want to do the upgrade which is another 800 bucks to improve the USB.

The Wyred I've only read is great, but no experience, same with the Antelope which has a different way of dealing with jitter and states is more analog in sound.

I would like something fully balanced and that won't be a pile of junk in about a year. I think the Wyred is upgradable but not sure...

steveinaz

Just don't get caught up in the "DAC of the week" club. Buy something established, with solid specs; that doesn't promise moon-beams shooting out of your bung-hole.

Bel Canto
Benchmark
Wyred
Bryston
Cambridge

Cry once, or cry twice---the choice is yours!

tonyb

If a more analog sound is your thing, throw Burson on that that list.

dkg999

The PS Audio DLIII and Music Hall 25.3 are both very nice DAC's that can be modded for further refinement and still be well within your budget.

thsmith

I have the W4S DAC 2 and love it. It just keeps sounding better and better. I did upgrade the PC when I first got it and have added a HIFI tuning supreme fuse.

MY only other experience with external DAC is a PS Audio DLIII.

Besides the sound I really like that I can adjust the volume using the remote as my PREAMP does not have a remote.

falconcry72

Just as an alternative suggestion, if you get a high-quality USB > SPDIF converter, then you can use any number of non-USB DAC's. This will give you a million more options for DAC's on the used market, and it will let you get some really nice pieces with excellent analog sections.

I recommend the Audio GD Digital Interface (with optional external power supply, of course).

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/Digital1EN.htm

Brand new shipped to your door it will run about 250, which leaves you plenty of scratch left to explore used DAC's.

heiney9

He is getting a squeezebox eventually so the USB thing is only temporary as I see it.

Lots, and lots of choices and configurations. Good luck, your head will be numb after exploring the possibilties. If it were me and I was going to use a SQB eventually, forget about the USB unless it happens to come with whatever unit you decide on. In other words make it a non-factor.

Just IMO, unless you think the USB is going to be permanent. Why do both? The SQB does everything you can do over USB and probably does it better.

H9

steveinaz

Anytime I hear "buy this DAC, and just do this, this, and this to it; and you're all set" I think....huh? Your budget is high enough to do it right the first time. Just my opinion.

michael1947

Hi there in the land of Frozen Cows. I know this is low end but this technology is always changing and by the time I get it figured out most of the stuff out there today will/may be...on the shelf with mp3's, 45's, 78's 8 track. In the meantime I picked up an Emotiva xda-1 dac/pre for 250 delivered w/5 year warranty. Good luck. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?icomp&1295835772&openflup&17&4#17. Oh, and here is a little discussion on the xda-1.

heiney9

The Emo isn't in the same catagory as the others mentioned. Not that it's all that bad considering the price, but it doesn't really compare to the heavier hitters.

H9

SCompRacer

dkg999 wrote: »

The PS Audio DLIII and Music Hall 25.3 are both very nice DAC's that can be modded for further refinement and still be well within your budget.

A big +1 to those with a fav being a modded MH25.3. I'll put mine up to anything. It also gives you the option of tube and SS out, and you don't need to spend a fortune on a good tube. In a month or two it will be compared to the ESS Sabre32 DAC to see what the difference might be. Hopefully Doug will be available so we can get that stock/mod comparison out of the way.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

He is getting a squeezebox eventually so the USB thing is only temporary as I see it....In other words make it a non-factor...

Another good reason to get a separate USB > SPDIF converter and DAC. He can sell the USB > SPDIF converter later if he won't be using USB anymore, and the DAC purchase would be made purely on the quality of its SPDIF implementation and not limited by the few good USB choices out there.

heiney9

There are lots of good USB choices out there and I just bought a USB dac to get rid of the extra conversion and gear in the chain. No room for it and I didn't like the extra cables and the extra outlet it used.

Simple is always better if it can be achieved. Granted my rig is an office/secondary rig, but I just don;t see the need to add a converter to the mix if you don't have to. Obviously if he chooses or finds a great deal on a non-usb dac, this can be a solution. But, I don't feel it should be mandatory. Work it in as necessary, not the other way around.

H9

cstmar01

Well after thinking about it, I think I'm really going towards the Wyred or the Antelope. Seems like both units are made very well and the one thing I really like about the Wyred is the fact that it has an upgradable section so that if something changes in the future they could upgrade the DAC.

I do like the Burson, and would be really tempted to get the one with the headphone,DAC, pre amp in it as I wanted to do an amp for headphones anyways but IDK. I'm tempted to see about it though as there was a local place close by that would do the Burson with a pair of good headphones in a packaged deal for about the same price as the Wyred...dang.

thsmith

I am not sure how much faith you can put into W4S and future upgrades. TMK that has not been delivered on and until they do or don't you won't know for sure.

cubdog

I love my Bel Canto. I assume you are in Wisconsin. I'm in N. Illinois and if you are close to the boarder you are welcome to hear mine.

cubdog

98Badger

Cstmar, if I remember correctly, you are about an hour down the road from me. I have the W4S if you wanted to give it a listen. I havent auditioned the others on your list, but I'm very happy with the Wyred.

Also, didn't you recently pick up an Integra 80.3? (it may have been someone else). If so, a hdmi sound card may be an option.

Face

The Burson and Wyred units sound very similar, I would say between the two it would come down to which features you were prefer.

Mike Reeter

I have an Eastern Electric MiniMax,it features the 32 Bit ESS ES9018 Sabre DAC chip. Can be easily modded by rolling opamps (pin type) and also has a dedicated tube output. It's a fun DAC to play with.

An article to look at http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=798

The original MiniMax has been upgraded by a newer model http://www.morningstaraudio.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=13&catid=6

newrival

Mike that MiniMax is a nice DAC. Especially if one is looking for a somewhat tubey sound. The nice thing is that It is still fairly detailed. My friend's full minimax setup is one of my favorites. The new Minimax DAC is 24/192

Mike Reeter

Yes, I picked mine up "slightly" used for $650. You can switch to the Solid State output and by-pass the Tube out. if you like. It also does 24 Bit/96kHz sampling. I've only owned one other DAC in my time,it was a Parasound Ultra 2000, a great DAC for its time. The newer offerings just have a ton of features and options that make em' fun to play with.

"If" I had the need I would not hesitate to pick up the MiniMax II

zingo

I've owned two pieces of Audio-GD equipment, and thought both sounded and were build fantastically. High recommendation for Audio-GD DACs.

danz1906

Checkout the Hegel HD-11 dac:

http://www.hegel.com/hd11_qa.htm

polkfarmboy

I have always wanted the pwd based on what I have read from users. I think its also happens to be one of the best looking DACs out there and looks classy in comparison to the w4s

cstmar01

Ah crap.

Well I talked to a dealer and he sells both the PWD and the Wyred. It was like a 200 buck difference between the two and that would be new. I'm going to look to see what other DAC's are out there and not just based on the USB being 24/192 for now.

Choices...

Face

See if you can demo both.

vcwatkins

Sorry, I've lost track of the DAC threads and am getting mixed up about what I've read where...

Wondering:

- What kind of lead time can I expect from Audio-GD?

- Has anyone heard an Audiolab M-DAC?

- H9, if you happen to see this: Did you ever try your Keces DAC on your main rig?

- Anyone else have tasting notes on the Keces, especially the 131?

Thanks for any help,
Craig
Beat Duke!

sucks2beme

Audio-gd expect to wait a while. Between slow production and long ship times
we're talking months. I bought mine used to avoid all that.

vcwatkins

ugghh... was afraid of that.

heiney9

vcwatkins wrote: »

Sorry, I've lost track of the DAC threads and am getting mixed up about what I've read where...

Wondering:

- What kind of lead time can I expect from Audio-GD?

- Has anyone heard an Audiolab M-DAC?

- H9, if you happen to see this: Did you ever try your Keces DAC on your main rig?

- Anyone else have tasting notes on the Keces, especially the 131?

Thanks for any help,
Craig
Beat Duke!

The Keces has exceeded my expectations so far. Since the DA-151 is USB only it's difficult to use it in the main rig. I can recommend the 131 as an option if you are looking for something that sounds very good but doesn't break the bank. Very clean design and high quality parts.

If you do a search on the 'net there is an excellent Audiogon user review and a couple nice professional reviews. Those reviews are what pushed me to try one. I hope to have an Audio GD NFB-3 to compare, but it may be awhile.

H9

Face

sucks2beme wrote: »

Audio-gd expect to wait a while. Between slow production and long ship times
we're talking months. I bought mine used to avoid all that.

Jeez, and what if you have a problem?