dimo Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Greetings and salutations, Looking to get my feet wet in the world of DAC, would like to get a <$200 entry level DAC with usb input that supports 24/96 audio format. Currently looking at a Aune T1, but am more than open to suggestion. Thanks in advance. -Dmitri
aasza Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 The Schiit Modi would fit the bill https://www.addictedtoaudio.com.au/product/schiit-audio-modi-usb-asynchronous-dac
~Spyne~ Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Audioquest Dragonfly - $149 Nuforce U192S - $147 Calyx Coffee - $199
Milos Posted March 26, 2014 Posted March 26, 2014 Dmitri, I'm using the Schiit Modi with a Vintage Sansui Amp to run my itunes (via Audirvana), its a fantastic little DAC. Its the first DAC I've bought, so I can't compare it to anyother, but the difference it made in sound to anything coming out of my MAC is extraordinary. I feel its money very well spent... you can upgrade later, but I think its a good starting point. I ordered mine from addicted to audio (don't forget to order some decent USB and RCA cable to go with it though). Miles
New Sensations Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 I can't say I dug that Calyx Coffee too much, especially in the context of today's keener competition, but both the Audioquest and the Schiit are rippers!
Guest Posted March 28, 2014 Posted March 28, 2014 This might be of interest if there's any left: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/63490-fs-audioquest-dragonfly-usb-dac-v10-exclusive-sna-speical/
medicine_shoes Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 I'm after one of these too for around $200, however I want one with a headphone amp built in. I have seen that the Firestone Fubar3 MK II has all these features. Does anyone have any experience with these?
firedog Posted April 8, 2014 Posted April 8, 2014 the dragonfly version 2 (1.2?) came out, reviews say it is noticeably better than the original.
Macuniverse Posted April 9, 2014 Posted April 9, 2014 What do you think about the newly released Geek Out DAC? Has anyone got it? It's a bit over $200 mark but the media types and bit rates it claims to handle is mind boggling.
roh008 Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 ODAC Am so close to buying one of these have you heard one? The person who designed them knows his stuff and was not afraid to post the stats up vs the highly acclaimed Benchmark DAC.
Equaliser Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 The Benchmark DAC still remains the "benchmark" in terms of the measurements in the DAC world but sound and musicality is another thing, nwavguy voiced his O2 and ODAC designs on the signature of the Benchmark dac with inspiration and the O2 is nothing but a spec sheet designed amp with flaws it has itself in sound which less then 0.1% THD distortion is nothing but an unhearable joke to the human ears. Under $200 I can only think used or diy dac's better then ones already mentioned in this thread. The Valab NOS Teradak's are also a worthy mention but it seems there prices have jumped over to $240-260 over the past years.
roh008 Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 The Benchmark DAC still remains the "benchmark" in terms of the measurements in the DAC world but sound and musicality is another thing, nwavguy voiced his O2 and ODAC designs on the signature of the Benchmark dac with inspiration and the O2 is nothing but a spec sheet designed amp with flaws it has itself in sound which less then 0.1% THD distortion is nothing but an unhearable joke to the human ears. Under $200 I can only think used or diy dac's better then ones already mentioned in this thread. The Valab NOS Teradak's are also a worthy mention but it seems there prices have jumped over to $240-260 over the past years. Hi DefQon, Am not sure if that is praise or something else with respect to the ODAC?! I think his plan was to deliver something good at around the 1/10th of the price. Have you heard the ODAC, is it musical? How does it compared the UCA202? "Stats" looks similar. Thanks Roh
Equaliser Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Hi DefQon, Am not sure if that is praise or something else with respect to the ODAC?! I think his plan was to deliver something good at around the 1/10th of the price. Have you heard the ODAC, is it musical? How does it compared the UCA202? "Stats" looks similar. Thanks Roh It's an ok DAC for it's money, much better then the O2 but my problem with the designer is not really based on his products, I was part of the first GB's on diyaudio for the O2 and one of the first to get my hands on the ODAC through a seller in the States. Personally I'd go diy or Schiit Modi another company I use to frown on for not having DC offset relay switches installed in the original Asgard, Lyr and Valhalla amp's but my experience and view's on them have changed for the better and easily on my recommended list. Imo and a lot of other experienced users will side with me on this one that no other DAC is musical or analog sounding unless it's a NOS TDA1541/3/7, BB PCM56-63 or some variant with a tube output stage. The ODAC sounds very similar to the PWD, bright/neutral/clinical/cold etc etc. Haven't heard the Behringer UCA202 but I have heard a different Behringer studio digital processor after lampization and my jaws dropped to the floor after auditioning it. Edited April 23, 2014 by DefQon
Cruncher Posted April 30, 2014 Posted April 30, 2014 What do you think about the newly released Geek Out DAC? Has anyone got it? It's a bit over $200 mark but the media types and bit rates it claims to handle is mind boggling. I just received my Geek Out 450 and it has amazing sound and plenty of power. Plays up to 384K and DSD 128.
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