Opinions on Sub-$300 USB DACs

[BinaryLinguist]

Just moved the PC into the bedroom and while waiting to put everything back together, I decided to do what any normal guy would do... upgrade some stuff. :biglaugh:

One of the main things I will be adding is a USB DAC that will connect to my Marantz 4002. Currently using an XFi Xtreme Music sound card.

So what have you tried in the sub-$300 range? In reality, I will most likely keep it around $200 or so but wanted to open it a little to get more ideas.

So far, I am considering Fubar II and KingRex UD-01.

[nwboater]

Can you wait for the new TCA DacMan? Hopefully it will be available before long and sounds like a GREAT value!:applause:

Rod

[shadowlight]

Can you wait for the new TCA DacMan? Hopefully it will be available before long and sounds like a GREAT value!:applause:

Rod

+1 after hearing it

[dweekie]

What kind of setup do you have on the X-FI? They are pretty good cards to begin with. I'm not too positive you will get much of a jump on with those particular dacs.

[bp2007]

+1 after hearing it

+2 for DacMan. :)

[Mep]

Digital out from the sound card to your 4002 and use the DAC in that. Should work find.

[mojave]

The analog DAC's in the X-Fi are spec'd higher than those in the Marantz. Of course the DAC's alone don't determine the final sound quality, but you could try analog out from the X-Fi, too.

[BinaryLinguist]

What kind of setup do you have on the X-FI? They are pretty good cards to begin with. I'm not too positive you will get much of a jump on with those particular dacs.

Mini-RCA (3.5mm) out from the XFi to the Coax in on the 4002.

[mojave]

If your motherboard had a PCI-Express slot, you might also want to look at the Xonar Essence STX.