Dac suggestions

[ellrotts]

Initially has anyone had the opportunity to listen to an ASUS essence one or the MUSES edition?

They are very cheap and I tend to think they they will offer good bang for buck considering someone like ASUS can buy opamps by the metric tonne so they will be able to come in considerably lower in price than basically anyone.

 

 

I'm pretty green when it comes to DAC's and im looking for a good one. Very strongly considering Grace design M903

 

Ultimately i would like to have headphone/ Dac/ Pre abilities rolled into one thus the 903, knowing this limits my options has anyone here heard the 903 and want to share their experience or can someone offer something new?

 

Opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

 

Check out the audio gd dacs, great value for money. I have the audio gd 15.32. They sell them at addicted by audio in Melbourne.

 

Cheers

 

Steve.

[faxcomp]

I use an Asus Essence STX and it sounds fantastic.

 

The only mod so far are op-amp upgrades, but plan on changing a few more things soon.

 

I haven't heard many DAC's (about four), but they are beaten or can only equal the STX.

 

The Essence One should be a great choice.

[ellrotts]

Im currently using the STX with the analog outs. Its bloody good. but i get coil whine out of it from my 2 GTX 580 graphics cards which poxes me off, im going to assume that if i get a standalone DAC I wont get the whine.

We put the STX against a couple of dacs and it blew them out of the water.

Its unfortunate I have some external factors causing the issues.

[Kamikaze]

I have heard a couple of Audio GD and they were better than STX.

Not the muses edition, but I have heard the Essence one and they weren't too far past STX... to my ears.

I would go for a proper DAC from a proper audio place than a computer company making DAC, despite being good, I think you can probably get better.

[ellrotts]

if you were to speculate, how do you think the MUSES would be?

[Addicted to music]

The funny thing is if you register correctly on the Brown Burr site, you can get some opamps delivered as free samples on the grounds you are using it for research and not for military purposes.  I have had the OPA 827, OPA1612, OPA 1642 all delivered free to my residence to try out! 

[ellrotts]

Got sick of my indecision, bought a Grace Design M903. better be good lol.

Edited August 4, 2013 by ellrotts

[Cafad]

Cool!  The next time I'm in town we can do a comparo between your Grace design and that Burson Conductor that I'm burning in.  Is the M903 a pre as well or a stand alone DAC?

[ellrotts]

Its a DAC/ Pre/ Headphone amp.

 

It dosent really fit in with my desire to have 5 big ass heavy bits of equipment in my system but......... lets see if it performs

[WhakPak]

I was interested to read Paul McGowans (CEO of PS Audio) recent comment that a separate DAC and preamp sounds better than a DAC with inbuilt PRE. He doesn't know why, but it does.

[ellrotts]

depends on how its built and how well they are isolated from eachother. unless he has listend to ever one out there (which he hasnt) his opinion isnt worth a pinch of billy goat dung.

 

Im sure i could find a standalone dac and pre that sounds worse than a combo.

[twwen2]

The STX is an exceptional DAC for the money. But spending another $300-400 on something like an entry-level Audio-gd or Schiit will net you results.

[ellrotts]

its supposed ill get the M903 by weeks end, will report on my findings.

[mackinnonrob]

Hi Ellrotts, I am looking forward to hearing your verdict on the M903. If you get a chance to compare with the Burson Conductor this will be very interesting. I have been getting great results from the Burson HD160 as a DAC/Pre running direct to active speakers and all the reviews suggest the Conductor is a clear improver on the HD160. 

 

Good is good.

 

but

 

Better is Better

[ellrotts]

Cafad and I will be doing a comparison at some stage, will keep you in the loop