nimo Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Background: I need some suggestions and potentially some level of sanity to keep me focused. I am searching for a decent DAC for my desktop rig. I currently have my music in FLAC playing through foobar2000 from my X61. Music is stored on internal/external HDD. Until about 2 weeks ago, below was my setup: a. LENOVO X61 > TEAC UD-H01 > GRADO SR-80i (32 ohms) b. LENOVO X61 > TEAC UD-H01 > CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 840A > DIY MADISOUND RB-Kit (86dB) Pros: I liked the TEAC DAC for an integrated headphone amp (drives my Grados just fine), IEC socket (can play with cables), and fixed line-level outputs. Cons: I didn't like it because I need more digital inputs for my other sources (ideally 2 x TOSLINK & 2 x COAXIAL). The Windows USB Audio drivers are $hit on foobar and I have trouble with WASAPI output. The audible 'CLICKS' as the DAC switches between sampling rate will wake the dead. Whoever tells you this unit is low-jitter is full of B$ too. Now: I have recently removed my TEAC DAC and you can imagine the resulting audio quality. c. LENOVO X61 > 3.5mm > GRADO SR-80i (32 ohms) d. LENOVO X61 > 3.5mm-to-RCA > CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 840A > DIY MADISOUND RB-Kit (86dB) I am getting ridiculously noisy static and distortion which I believe is attributed to a cheap (and oxidized) auxiliary 3.5mm socket (to amplifier) on the docking station of my X61. The main 3.5mm socket on the X61 doesn't fair any better either (to headphones). The Analog Devices sound-card on my laptop is... I don't even wanna talk about it. The headphone plug on the 840A seems to clear up most of the noise for now. Not sure why... cleaner power? Options??? I have looked at a few options considering what I am looking for. 1. More digital inputs, IEC socket??? 2. Headphone amplification 3. Decent chip (Wolfson ideally - I will explain why below) 4. Tubes if even possible. 5. Cheap < $1,000 (new/used don't matter) I have a NAD M5 (BB PCM1794) paired with the 840A for SACD/HDCD and I like the sound of the combination. The TEAC DAC (BB PCM1795) was somewhat close enough considering the price difference. The OPPO SE in the living room runs on Sabre and AVR on Cirrus. I thought I might explore Wolfson territory this time round. And since I don't yet have tubes.... Q1. I have looked at the CAMBRIDGE AUDIO DacMagic (DM) which has a Wolfson chip but I read the PSU is a real *itch. plus it doesn't have headphone amping. Q2. The updated DacMagic Plus (DM+) solves the headphone issue. It also decodes higher sampling rate using USB 2.0 Audio drivers though I'm not sure how that works in foobar2000 yet. I get the feeling the line-out on the unit isn't fixed although it's been reviewed to have little cross-talk and channels properly balanced. Not sure about the PSU but have a feeling it's not IEC ready. Q3. Considered the Dared MP-5 and thought good chance to explore TUBES!!! It's got USB and internal DAC (48kHz) which I am unsure about. Got speaker outputs which i don't really need but is ok. There's a pair of analog input in the rear (does this bypass the internal DAC?). No other outputs, headphone amping is mixed and volume knob is stepped which maybe a problem. Then I realized the output stage is solid-state hence 'hybrid'. Is the headphone output solid-state as well? What's the difference actually anyone knows? Q4. I was considering a DM or DM+ paired with the MP-5. I can preout my 840A into the MP-5 if it makes sense to. Question is can I preout the 840A into the MP-5 and at the same time drive another pair of speakers directly connected to the 840A? Q5. I am still not sure how my iPod Classic 160GB will fit in the setup yet but that's not critical since 95% of my digital music is in FLAC and I prefer Android anyway. Apart form the above options, what is available under 1k? NAD M51 is out of budget. I don't mind a separate DAC (PC > AMP) and a tube stage to my headphones if that's an option. Sorry for the wall post. Thoughts appreciated.
jimi1624705950 Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 Used Benchmark Dac ticks all your boxes. Except no tube and only 1 toslink. Go for the USB/ PRe version (others too ex for ur budget). V good headamp, wolfson, fixed line out, v well isolated internally, v moddable, etc
nimo Posted March 25, 2013 Author Posted March 25, 2013 Thanks bro. Used Benchmark DAC1 PRE = Used NAD M51 budget?
jimi1624705950 Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 The pre version is more ex than just the USB. About $1500-1600 used, dep on condition.
Quest88 Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 How about a emotiva xda-1? Wolfson, lots of inputs, cheap. http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=133159.0 Any amount you save, can buy a separate headphone amplifier and a tube buffer if you want.
nimo Posted March 25, 2013 Author Posted March 25, 2013 How about a emotiva xda-1? Wolfson, lots of inputs, cheap. http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=133159.0 Any amount you save, can buy a separate headphone amplifier and a tube buffer if you want. Thanks. Is the chip an AD or Wolfson? I see 2 references here: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2011/08/emotiva-xda-1-dac/
nimo Posted April 3, 2013 Author Posted April 3, 2013 Ok, my USB DAC akan datang. Question: is it ok to connect the DAC to an external USB Powered Hub (7-ports) or better to connect direct to laptop? Dun think I can use the 4 USB ports on my docking station as the power lead runs directly into the dock and the USB ports are right beside it. i'm left with one USB port on the laptop that is next to the exhaust and another 2 sitting on top of the internal HDD. Or it doesn't matter since the i gotta run the external USB HUB into one of those ports anyway; read as either way, it's a shitty setup?
Quest88 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 Thanks. Is the chip an AD or Wolfson? I see 2 references here: http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2011/08/emotiva-xda-1-dac/ hmm not sure but i thought it was. Ok, my USB DAC akan datang. Question: is it ok to connect the DAC to an external USB Powered Hub (7-ports) or better to connect direct to laptop? Dun think I can use the 4 USB ports on my docking station as the power lead runs directly into the dock and the USB ports are right beside it. i'm left with one USB port on the laptop that is next to the exhaust and another 2 sitting on top of the internal HDD. Or it doesn't matter since the i gotta run the external USB HUB into one of those ports anyway; read as either way, it's a shitty setup? Have to test. I feel direct is better, but you also have to test which usb port sounds better. Some setups may benefit from a usb hub but probably not a generic one that you are using. But yes, if it's not an optimized setup, no real point. Save the effort and just enjoy the music.
bolts1624705732 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 eastern electric mini ax plus with less sabre chip and tube?
nimo Posted April 3, 2013 Author Posted April 3, 2013 hmm not sure but i thought it was. Have to test. I feel direct is better, but you also have to test which usb port sounds better. Some setups may benefit from a usb hub but probably not a generic one that you are using. But yes, if it's not an optimized setup, no real point. Save the effort and just enjoy the music. yah shit setup. will test the ports and see what happens. thanks bro.
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