DACs North of $99

[nwboater]

In the $99 DAC thread 'nhpm510' asked "What about the trends audio dac or the fubar? A little north of $99". I am also interested in a good DAC for our fairly high end system but can't justify (or afford) $1000 for the Benchmark DAC-1 that many rave about. Besides the two mentioned I have been considering the EMU 0404 which has the added benefit of a microphone preamp that we may use with a room acoustics calibration system, and the Keces DA-151. The EMU has a lot of write ups that are very favorable. The Keces only has a very few but they are glowing. Part of the difficulty with the selection process is that there are several people that talk about comparisons between 1 or 2 DACs, but I haven't found any recent ones that compare several in the $500 and under range. And specs are almost meaningless it seems. They need to be audibly compared.

I guess what we really need is a Craigsub for DACs! Lacking that it would sure be helpful to get more feedback from users.

Rod

[craigsub]

Rod - We are working on just such an animal. I talked to Doug yesterday about what we can do for an affordable DAC with high end performance.

Here is a link to a thread about product development: Tweak City Plans For 2008

This thread is stickied, so we can add updates as they come on line.

[m-fine]

I bugged him about building us a DAC on Friday night, and on Monday he announces a product. Talk about customer responsiveness! I think this place is going to get REAL crowded in the next year or so as the products come online and the word gets out.

The only complaint I have is I asked for the $99 version, but if Doug and Craig think they need $179 to do it right, I'll get my wallet out in a heart beat.

[ddoonie]

May i suggest/request that it have one of each digital inputs (usb, coax, optical...). I havent found any DAC's in this price range with those inputs, usually one or the other, ie.. Zero dac, Zhalou etc.. The only one that fits my needs, but is over $400 is the Apogee Duet.

[nwboater]

Craig,

Great news on your proposed DAC. If it truly ends up with high end SQ for $179 you will have a major winner!!

Craig, I would like to thank you for the prompt and concise response to my post here and a couple of others I have done re amps and subwoofers for our Klipschorns. On those I didn't give you any feedback and have felt a bit negligent. So a big thanks for your great communications!

Rod

[mojave]

May i suggest/request that it have one of each digital inputs (usb, coax, optical...). I havent found any DAC's in this price range with those inputs, usually one or the other, ie.. Zero dac, Zhalou etc.. The only one that fits my needs, but is over $400 is the Apogee Duet.

I have been thinking about purchasing the E-Mu 0404 USB. It has usb and digital coax and optical inputs. It functions as a USB soundcard, it can be used as a standalone DAC without a computer, it provides phantom power for a measuring microphone (such as a Behringer ECM8000) so I can use it with my DCX2496 and REW, and it is a Class A headphone amplifier. It is usually sold for under $200, but everyone is out of stock at the moment.

I didn't want to get a preamp for my microphone that would have little use. With this, I can use it as a preamp and then take it to work and use it a DAC for a Gizmo. If I ever buy some headphones, I also already have a headphone amp.

[m-fine]

The 0404 is a decent product with a lot of stuff budled in, but I expect the TCA dedicated DAC will take the DAC duties to a noticably higher level in terms of components and sound quality since it will not have any expense dedicated to mic inputs, pre-amps, MIDI etc.

BTW, in addition to the 0404 you might want to look into the TASCAM US144 as a similar product. I have the 122 for measurement duties but it does not have any digital inputs or outputs other than the USB connection. I think the 144 does. I also use the 122 as a headphone amp for my laptop and I could use it with the Gizmo too. My plans for the TCA DAC are for higher end music systems.

[mojave]

I looked at the Tascam after you mentioned it in the DCX2496 thread at av123. Since I have an X-Fi Elite with a preamp breakout box at home, all I really need to use my mic is a phantom power supply. Right now I am borrowing a Peavey preamp from church that hasn't been used in a few years. I may just purchase the Behringer PS400 for $20 and wait for the TCA DAC.

[shortkidsrus]

Rod - We are working on just such an animal. I talked to Doug yesterday about what we can do for an affordable DAC with high end performance.

Here is a link to a thread about product development: Tweak City Plans For 2008

This thread is stickied, so we can add updates as they come on line.

Will your DAC have USB input? I would love it if it did :thumbsup:!

[ddoonie]

You can always buy one of those turtle beach audio advantage things.. like 20 or so bucks, has an optical out with an adapter... you can use any DAC with a TOSLink... just another option.