Your favorite DAC

[craigsub]

Hi Guys ... We need to send Doug Goldberg a LOT of information so that we can get the best DAC possible for the $$$.

Please, post links to your favorite DAC.

This link should show specs and pricing for a new in the box DAC.

All information will be forwarded to Doug.

Thanks ... :boom::boom::boom::boom::boom:

[Cujobob]

I have this one:

http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=122

Lite Audio DAC 60 with Sonicraft Level 1 mods

I really like its...its been better than any of the other DACs I've had, but its tube-based which probably doesn't help you any.

There's all sorts of good DAC comparison threads on Audiocircle

[keenween]

I have been pleased with the VDA-2 from Channel Islands.

http://www.ciaudio.com/

[dvenardos]

I have been pleased with the VDA-2 from Channel Islands.

http://www.ciaudio.com/

I have been wanting to try this DAC, excellent reviews. I think this would be the DAC to look at as far as goals.

[dvenardos]

There has been quite a bit of excitement over the MagiDAC. The price went way up after introduction due to upgraded components.

http://www.audio-magus.com/Aeolus_DAC_1_p/adac1.htm

[skullguise]

What about DIY type designs? I have 3.

Oritek Modded Zhaolu (OMZ)

Twisted Pair Opus DAC - mine is balanced with the Ballsie module

Promitheus NOS DAC

Problem with DIY, except maybe OMZ, is that the user has options on parts to use. I was able to custom configure my Promitheus, and the Opus was built with select parts as well.

I also have the magiDAC (clock upgrade, stock Xformers), as well as other USB-only DAC's.

[bunnyma357]

I like this Zero DAC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZERO-24-192-DAC-DA-CONVERTOR-HEAD-AMP-Upgrade-Version_W0QQitemZ180283175242QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

This is the only DAC/Heaphone Amp/Preamp I've had, so no comparison's to other brands. I have been very happy with it - it definitely sounds better than the DAC in my Squeezebox 3.

Giant thread about it on Head Fi, but it focuses more on using it as a Headphone Amp:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/review-zero-24-bit-192khz-dac-headphone-amp-pre-amp-269458/

Jim C

[HAL]

The chipset that seems to have a big following from the sound quality side is the Burr-Brown (now TI) DF1704 digital filter and PCM1704 24 bit ladder DAC. These will do all bit depths/sample rates to 24bit/96KHz. They are used in the Lite Audio DAC60.

Things to note for the DAC60 is that it has pretty high output impedance and capacitively coupled. Driving a low input impedance preamp limits the low frequency response due to the capacitively coupled DAC60 output stage.

The moded DAC60 does sound very good!

[emac]

Gotta add the MHDT Labs Paradisea and Constantine to the list. I'm somewhat intrigued by the Havana, but that's way out of the price range we're looking at here.

Paradisea+:

http://www.geocities.com/mhdtlab/paradiseausb/paradiseausb.htm

Constatine+:

http://www.geocities.com/mhdtlab/cons.htm

[craigsub]

Gotta add the MHDT Labs Paradisea and Constantine to the list. I'm somewhat intrigued by the Havana, but that's way out of the price range we're looking at here.

Paradisea+:

http://www.geocities.com/mhdtlab/paradiseausb/paradiseausb.htm

Constatine+:
http://www.geocities.com/mhdtlab/cons.htm

Was there a price in either of the links ?

[craigsub]

I like this Zero DAC:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZERO-24-192-DAC-DA-CONVERTOR-HEAD-AMP-Upgrade-Version_W0QQitemZ180283175242QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

This is the only DAC/Heaphone Amp/Preamp I've had, so no comparison's to other brands. I have been very happy with it - it definitely sounds better than the DAC in my Squeezebox 3.

Giant thread about it on Head Fi, but it focuses more on using it as a Headphone Amp:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/review-zero-24-bit-192khz-dac-headphone-amp-pre-amp-269458/

Jim C

Hey ... pay attention. We need links to the product's home, not a review which talks about how they bought it on eBay. :boom:

[BradJudy]

Hey ... pay attention. We need links to the product's home, not a review which talks about how they bought it on eBay. :boom:

Both the Zero and the MHDT DACs are some of the eBay-only DACs from Asia that have been rather popular with the online audio geeks over the past couple of years. Many don't have an official website and prices are somewhat variable since they are sold on eBay.

[craigsub]

Both the Zero and the MHDT DACs are some of the eBay-only DACs from Asia that have been rather popular with the online audio geeks over the past couple of years. Many don't have an official website and prices are somewhat variable since they are sold on eBay.

That makes warranty work fun, eh ? :smoke1:

Doug is putting something pretty special together ... I think everyone is going to be happy. :huge:

[BradJudy]

That makes warranty work fun, eh ? :smoke1:

Everyone gets to make their own risk decisions. Early adopters take the most risk to see if they are good and reliable, others have a lower risk that is probably still higher than buying from a traditional company.

[dvenardos]

Was there a price in either of the links ?

They are sold exclusively on ebay:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/mhdtlab

Paradisea is $599 for USB version.
No Constantine currently available, but I think it is about $100 less.