Looking for DAC

aboroth00
aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
edited December 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Hey all,

I've been pondering which to upgrade next and it'll probably be my DAC. My system is as follows: Oppo-103 -> DAC -> Rogue 66 -> Pass Aleph J -> Revel Gem/James L4000P. I would need both coax and optical (more inputs the better) and a USB input would be nice but not absolutely necessary. Looking to spend less than 700$ (new or used) and I've been hearing good things about the Schiit Gungnir in the price range. Not sure which other contenders are available in my price range so any help would be much appreciated!
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    How about the musical fidelity clic for $500? I know nothing about its sound but have looked at the thing for a while. I didn't realize it dropped so much until someone else pointed it out in another thread.

    Hmm... interesting. Looks like a universal music server as well. It seems like we're all heading in that direction sooner or later... I honestly have no clue about DAC's in this price range and will have to do some hw on that piece.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited December 2013
    Why not just sell the 103 and upgrade to the 105? It seems like that's always my suggestion now, but you're not gonna find many DACs for $700 that sounds as good as the Oppo 105.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited December 2013
    The Oppo has coax, optical and USB - can't imagine what else he'd need
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited December 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Really? For some reason I thought the coax/optical inputs didn't exist, only USB and HDMI. I guess I've tried to protect myself from temptation subconsciously.

    Where a condom
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited December 2013
    Hell, I forgot completely about the HDMI input, and it's the only one of the bunch I'm using...

    With all the functionality the 105 has you don't even really need the inputs, but they're there.
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    Why not just sell the 103 and upgrade to the 105? It seems like that's always my suggestion now, but you're not gonna find many DACs for $700 that sounds as good as the Oppo 105.

    That honestly never entered my mind and I just purchased my Oppo last month! I always thought of a DAC first, because it'd be strange when I turn on my DVD player to play my PS3 or watch tv. It would honestly be perfect. I am currently also using my TV and PS3 via optical so I need two optical inputs. If I can plug my PS3 into the HDMI and the TV via optical it would fit my needs perfectly. Is there anything strange to be had, like I would have to interact with the Oppo menus or would it just be straight pass through with the inputs?
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited December 2013
    The Oppo would have to be on obviously, but there's an input selection just like on any other device, no ned to dig through menus to get to anything. To be honest though, I wouldn't even bother running a PS3 or TV audio thru a DAC, just not worth it. Hell, I've got a PS3 in that room now and I could run it thru my 105 for free, and don't even bother with it just because I'm never doing anything on the PS3 where a DAC would really come into play.
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    The Oppo would have to be on obviously, but there's an input selection just like on any other device, no ned to dig through menus to get to anything. To be honest though, I wouldn't even bother running a PS3 or TV audio thru a DAC, just not worth it. Hell, I've got a PS3 in that room now and I could run it thru my 105 for free, and don't even bother with it just because I'm never doing anything on the PS3 where a DAC would really come into play.

    Well the thing is about the TV is that it doesn't have analog out so optical is the only way to avoid having to use the TV speakers. You're probably right about the PS3, but it was my default BD player so I had gotten used to using the optical out to avoid using the analog outs. I might just use the analog outs in the future and use HDMI for the video. I have to find that cable though...But having the PS3 pass through the Oppo might be worth it?

    Could you walk me through the input selection? It's not on the face of the unit so I was wondering how that would work without an interaction with a menu. I have others in the family that aren't so tech savvy that will occasionally use the system and I don't want to have to get a phone call when I'm not around to show them.
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    Another unrelated question... is the 105 going to be replaced soon? Seems like Oppo releases a new BD player line every year or so and the 105 has yet to be updated for the upcoming year. It would suck to buy the 105 now and see a new unit come in for the same price very shortly
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited December 2013
    There's an input button on the Oppo remote you use to change inputs.
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Would've been done by now. I think they are on roughly 2 year cycles, so I'd expect something coming up in about 10 months. Whether it's big or small changes, who knows, but the fact still remains that it's going to take a very special product to outdo the overwhelming success the 105 has seen.

    Very good point sir. Now is anyone looking for a gently used BDP-103?
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    Magnolia let me upgrade the 103 to the 105 past the return policy date for no charge. So far I'm quite happy with the 105. Thanks all!
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited December 2013
    Congrats!
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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