DAC

219.76.137.42

Posted on October 31, 2004 at 22:35:42

Nino Gore
Audiophile

Posts: 35
Location: HKG
Joined: October 7, 2004

I would like to buy a cheap DAC for my laptop Dell D800, with USB input and XLR balanced output. The Apogee Mini DAC is of course good but my budget is just about $100. Any suggestion to me?

Thank you.

NG

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Re: DAC

19:40:48 11/05/04

Re: DAC

Lynn

17:39:23 11/01/04

Re: DAC

Lynn

17:59:25 11/01/04

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Re: DAC

19:40:48 11/05/04

Re: DAC

Lynn

17:39:23 11/01/04

Re: DAC

Lynn

17:59:25 11/01/04

Re: DAC

Nino Gore

23:00:07 11/01/04

Re: DAC, posted on November 1, 2004 at 17:39:23

Lynn
Audiophile

Posts: 1493
Location: Southwest
Joined: June 24, 2003

At that price, you might want to consider used equipment. For the most part, DACs cannot be damaged easily. A quick check on Audiogon.com shows:

$150- Musical Fidelity X-ACT 18 bit D/A (condition 8/10)
$150- MSB Link II DAC (condition 6/10)
$95 - Onkyo SE-U55 USB dac (condition 9/10)

Both the MF X-Act and MSB Link Dac have been reviewed favorably. The MSB in particular was seen as being a great value for the money, however the one currently for sale may not be in great condition (perhaps just cosmetics).

You could get a new USB Creative 24/96 DAC for $100, and it has had mixed reviews. I tried it, and for the money thought it was fine (you do have to fool around with it a bit to make it do a straight 44 for CD music vs. 48 for games).

I don't know anything about the Onkyo, but historically Onkyo has built good consumer (vs. audiophile) electronics. It might be a better choice vs. the Creative.

Lynn

Re: DAC, posted on November 1, 2004 at 17:59:25
Lynn Audiophile Posts: 1493 Location: Southwest Joined: June 24, 2003	Ooops. Forgot to mention, for the MF and MSB you would need to add about $35 for a usb to spdif converter. Also, none of these are balance, but at this pricepoint I am not sure you will find it.

Re: DAC, posted on November 1, 2004 at 23:00:07
Nino Gore Audiophile Posts: 35 Location: HKG Joined: October 7, 2004	Thanks your input. I would like to have a balanced inut for use with my Bryston BP20 Pre-Amp. I don't mind putting in $100 more in order to get a balanced option.

Re: DAC, posted on November 5, 2004 at 19:40:48
wacomme	I'm interested in this question too. Anyone?

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DAC

219.76.137.42