Good, inexpensive USB DAC?
mhardy6647
Posts: 33,804
Long story short: I am starting to window shop for a respectable quality but not too expensive DAC with USB input. Strictly for fun/experimentation -- but I don't want be disillusioned by inadvertently (or even advertently) buying junk.
I know zero about these things; I am the Sgt. Schultz of digital audio.
I can't even suggest a budget because, again, I have no idea of the cost of decent entry level equipment! $50? $100? $200? Not much more than that, I hope.
Thanks for any suggestions and feedback/input!
I know zero about these things; I am the Sgt. Schultz of digital audio.
I can't even suggest a budget because, again, I have no idea of the cost of decent entry level equipment! $50? $100? $200? Not much more than that, I hope.
Thanks for any suggestions and feedback/input!
Comments
-
I have a pair of SMSL M8 DACs, one for the work headphone rig & one in the bedroom system. Massdrop frequently runs the updated M8A for around $180. Great DAC for the money IMHO. I recently picked up a Schiit Modi 2 Uber to check out. The SMSL slays it.
The Topping D30 also gets lots of positive press, but I have no personal experience with it. -
What Skip said. I got one of them thar doohickeys from him and ended up buying two versions of it's big brother.
-
I'm in the process of reboxing a TPA Buffalo III if you want a DIY approach. I upgraded to the 9028 and love it. Pm if interestedMain system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
-
I have an arcam rdac that I have loved. I have two; need to let one go. Let me know if you are interested.
https://www.whathifi.com/arcam/rdac/reviewLiving Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
an embarrassment of riches! Thank you, folks.
I cogitate (or is that iCogitate?)
-
Good recommendations here.
Also to consider, a shielded, short USB cable, and consider the population of your USB bus. These two things can contribute to a crummy USB audio/DAC experience.
Currently using an AudioQuest Forest and enjoying a little AudioEngine D1 headphone "amp", similar in design to that iFi linked above.I disabled signatures. -
Audioquest Dragonfly Red
-
Some good reviews on this site
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-index-for-audio-hardware-reviews.2079/
-
Under a hundred US, delivers the decent stuff...primarily made in the US to boot! Worth a check out.
http://www.schiit.com/products/modi-2
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/budget-dac-review-schiit-modi-2-99.1649/ -
I literally was about to start a thread about this. lol
-
the micromega mydac is a nice sounding dac, you can get it from underwood hifi for $249 (list $400)
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/?products=538Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156 -
@mhardy6647 What did you end up with?
-
You clearly think that I move much faster than actually I do!
-
Haha, well any leading contenders at least?
