What this country needs is a good $99 DAC.....

[albee]

It would be great to have a nice sounding dac in a small case that included its own power supply so it would not require a wall-wart.

The problem is most wall-wart DAC's sound best with SLA power. SLA power can be a pain in its own right so a clean internal p/s that can be plugged right into a power strip would be heaven!

[bigle]

that would be cool. i'd buy one.

[billnchristy]

If you used a SMPS similar to those used in LCD monitors it would only need to be around double the current small DAC size...that wouldn't be too bad.

It would also give it the weight necessary to not flop around with connectors on it too.

[dyrmaker83]

Perhaps something in the same form-factor as the X-19 with a USB input...

In case anyone's wondering, I'm obsessed with having a USB DAC to bypass a computer's soundcard. Something like that which would fit under the X-19 and match it aesthetically would be perfect for a desktop system! I've asked for this same thing on the AV123 and Emotiva forums. I'll see who's first!

[rumonkey2]

Perhaps something in the same form-factor as the X-19 with a USB input...

In case anyone's wondering, I'm obsessed with having a USB DAC to bypass a computer's soundcard. Something like that which would fit under the X-19 and match it aesthetically would be perfect for a desktop system! I've asked for this same thing on the AV123 and Emotiva forums. I'll see who's first!

:smoke1: +1 on this idea :rock:

[soloz2]

there are a few chinese DACs that can be had for that price, but they tend to not be much better than what you would get in your typical CD player, or a high end sound card.

For a bit more... $200-300 you can get some good portable DAC/headphone amps with USB input. :D


I just sold my upgraded Zhaolu 1.3 for $150... :dizzy:

[klankymen]

Perhaps something in the same form-factor as the X-19 with a USB input...

In case anyone's wondering, I'm obsessed with having a USB DAC to bypass a computer's soundcard. Something like that which would fit under the X-19 and match it aesthetically would be perfect for a desktop system! I've asked for this same thing on the AV123 and Emotiva forums. I'll see who's first!

+2 from me!

[Cujobob]

If you're not going to do an All-Out design for a DAC, there's really no point IMHO. Plenty of good offerings available at low prices...sticking out is rather hard to do. However if you could match the sound and create something that is built with a nice case...might be a different story.

[albee]

If you're not going to do an All-Out design for a DAC, there's really no point IMHO. Plenty of good offerings available at low prices...sticking out is rather hard to do. However if you could match the sound and create something that is built with a nice case...might be a different story.

Price point is the game here. Having a good power supply with a standard wall plug is the object. Eschew wall warts and SLA's and their associated "extra" accomodations.

It can be done over time. :stirthepot:

[Larry D]

... Or a better indoor FM antenna

I know about the ones that are available. In the Air Force our antenna covered football fields! It seems like something this basic and well studdied could improved upon. The last one I had was the $99 Magnum Dynalab 54# whip antenna. It didn't seem to help me where I was at the time. Unfortunately, the movers brought the whip but left the mounting and base. I've got a little Radio Shack wall wart powered antenna that works better than nothing. I'm looking at a Godar antenna to try next that has a 14 element array inside a flat box. Maybe an antenna could be built into these room treatments! Or hung on the wall like art. We tuned our antennas in the service electronically. So maybe if you had several room treatments around the room or house, or just some little pictures or frames in everyroom they could be linked and tuned electronically resulting in a super antenna. That's probably dumb.

[Theogenes]

I know about the ones that are available. In the Air Force our antenna covered football fields! It seems like something this basic and well studdied could improved upon. The last one I had was the $99 Magnum Dynalab 54# whip antenna. It didn't seem to help me where I was at the time. Unfortunately, the movers brought the whip but left the mounting and base. I've got a little Radio Shack wall wart powered antenna that works better than nothing. I'm looking at a Godar antenna to try next that has a 14 element array inside a flat box. Maybe an antenna could be built into these room treatments! Or hung on the wall like art. We tuned our antennas in the service electronically. So maybe if you had several room treatments around the room or house, or just some little pictures or frames in everyroom they could be linked and tuned electronically resulting in a super antenna. That's probably dumb.

Sounds pretty cool to me. I had a friend in college that used some spare wire and a paperclip to use the metal frame of the HUGE dormitory he was in as an antenna... He picked up an absolutely ludicrous number of stations :rock:

[cbc]

..if only there was enough stuff still worth listening to OTH....

[rumonkey2]

:whs: The only "radio" I listen to is local sports talk & tech talk when on Saturday lunch break...
And I'm about sick of local sports - there's a 'Lil Nicky (Saban) luv fest going on
or all we hear about is Jay Barker marrying Sara Evans. Paul Finebaum is a pompous p*ick and has the biggest mancrush on Saban - it sickens me...
This is the main reason I finally broke down and bought an MP3 player...

CBC - your avvy creeps me out everytime I see it:nervous:

[nhpm510]

What about the trends audio dac or the fubar? A little north of $99