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So many to choose from, gives me a headache practically, especially with discounts on slightly older DACs still available.All I know is that a GOOD DAC is probably very important. And it's getting close to XMAS anyway!
I've just moved my SMSL DAC to the computer station to join a SMSL Headphone amplifier. My next move then is:
1. Get a REAL DAC for my HiFi.
2. Get a nice computer friendly DAC, i.e. not too big, that will sit on top of the mini tower.Too many choices: The Sabre ES9018 seems to be a current fave. I truly CANNOT decide.
Edits: 11/17/15Follow Ups:
My last cd player was a Raysonic 228 ($4800) it broke and cannot be repaired.
I would try a Oppo 105 which in addition to being a fine cd player, plays all other cd formats AND a great blu-ray player- movies/audio. It also eliminates the need for an outboard transport, power cord, interconnect.
You can always send it back
I listen mostly to vinyl.Would I be happy with the PS Audio Nuwave DAC?
I also like vinyl and I'm pretty unimpressed by most DACs. In the end, I got a decent non-oversampling DAC and that did it for me. You may have to stretch your budget a bit (and I hate recommending that), but you could possibly find a good used NOS dac for $1K or less.
I actually made up my mind by getting a cheap MuseAudio NOS DAC from Amazon. It's not great (and in some systems might even be atrocious), but it gave me enough of the NOS sound to encourage me to try a more expensive NOS DAC.
"Do you need those light bulbs on your stereo?" - my niece, looking at a Dynaco ST-70
I have owned (and still own) a lot of PS Audio gear over the years. I'm a huge fan, can't comment as I haven't heard itNo matter what you decide, I highly recommend the Machina Dynamica Super Stiff Super Baby Promethean springs. I am using 4 under my 105
Tight and deep bass quiet background
I added a link to its product page
Edits: 11/30/15
I've got two of these.... A great DAC... And very inexpensive now...
Cut-Throat
I'm going to make a radical suggestion also. Try a used ifi dsd micro. All the I outs you want, very good sound and a helsthy demand so you can resell it pretty quickly
Ooh and its adds a headphone amp as a bonus....
The Bifrost Multibit, a.k.a "Bimby", employs and upsampling and "closed form" filter using a DSP chip. The closed form filter, according to Schiit, ensures the original PCM data points prior to oversampling, not just any interpolated oversample data points. The subsequent DAC is a "ladder", a.k.a. R2R DAC of the general type associated with NOS DACs, (though the Bimby itself does oversample).
I haven't extensively listened to > $2k DACs, but the Bimby's sound is the most realistic I've ever heard in terms of instrument timbres and decays. Also most realistic in terms of spacial reproduction, (although the soundfield isn't necessarily "deeper", "wider", "higher"). Microdynamics are great, once again, realistic. The reproduction of difficult instruments such as cymbals is by far the most realistic I've heard.
The Bimby is detailed in the best sense and revealing . Its biggest benefit is to good, 16/44.1 recordings. That is, it improves high rez and not-so-great Redbook, but the latter case it reveals the bad along with the good. So there's a down side: the Bimbly really separates the great from the mediocre recordings.
Also on the downside, the Bimby might not appeal to lovers of smooth, "bloomy" sound, or as they would have it, "musicality" -- at least where the recording is less than very good.
The link below is to the fairly lengthy Bifrost Multibit thread at Computer Audiophile .
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich
costs right around $1000.
Wish the monarchy had a USB. I know there are converters but I'm trying to simplify ....
Here's one, the Metrum-Hex Musette. Very analog-like sound. Also R2R ladder DAC.
Read about it on headfi.org (see link).
IMO Headphones are a Poor substitute for a decent speaker setup.. Period Not much of a reference to MY ears.
This is the Audio-GD entry level dack. It is an R2R Ladder dac using the 1704-UK multibit chip. Sounds very musical $800
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DAC1911/DAC19EN.htm
Alan
You probably can read more from users about it on headfi.org.
Construction wise, it looks like they packed a LOT of stuff into that one box.
So, R2R ladder?? I wish I had a way of actually listening to this stuff first. However, the entry price is, of course, reasonable. I like the old-school selector switch!
If so, give me a shout.
There are so many good DACs out there in your price range.I had the original PS Audio NuWave DAC which inmate mbnx01 mentions below. I traded it in this past summer for the new PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC.
Retail price for the new PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC is $1299 and the best price I've seen w/o the trade-in promo credit is $999 from a reputable US dealer who advertises a lot on Audiogon. I sent you his info to the email you have on file with the Asylum.
Oh, and it's built and serviced in the USA with a 3 year warranty from a company that's been in business for a few decades.
PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC on the far left
Edits: 11/17/15 11/17/15 11/17/15
If you can get your hands on a Goldnote DAC7, thats about the best I have heard in this price pange
this can be found for around $500 or (edit) $600, I liked them so much I have two in two systems of mine.Yaqin DAC K 9
they are regular component size though.
Edits: 11/17/15
And $400 to spare.
See my separate post above.
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich
I wonder whether I should upgrade my non-Uber. I disliked the Uber because the analog section faithfully passed on the delta sigma noise to which I am sensitive.
I am wondering whether the multibit makes it sound more like NOS.
Here is a thread of interest.
I am considering the upgrade.
Get a used PS Audio NuWave DAC for $499.
Since the new model came out the prices have plummeted.
It's so close to whatever you'll pay a grand for it's not remotely worth the difference.
They sold a lot of these so there are plenty for sale.
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
Considering what they're going for used in the $500 range, I'd have to agree with you. The original PS Audio NuWave DAC is outstanding.
I had the PS Audio NuWave DAC and now the new NuWave DSD DAC. It's an improvement over the original NuWave even if you never play DSD files through it. I run typical CD rips at 16/44 as well as hi-res 24/96 or 24/192.
The best price I've seen for a new NuWave DSD DAC w/o trade-in promo is $1000. But $500 or so for the previous model should be appealing to anyone looking for a quality DAC.
If I could snag a black model for $500, I may jump on it.I've really been considering the DIY route with a cheap board from China and add my own case work, etc. What a PITA it is though, but instructive.
I'd love to have something that I could compare to other's experiences.
[P.S. No pun. I think the power supply is important and they seem to have good iron!]
Edits: 11/17/15
Yes, USB, Optical, and Coax. For $500 +/- used, you can hardly go wrong on this US built DAC with US support from a company that's been around for decades.
I also just sent you email on the dealer who is selling the new PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC for $999.
I recommended the predecessor to a Juilliard-graduate friend, and he has been very happy, and the new one has had good reviews.
Music Direct sells it with an MNG, so WNTL?
John
Has anybody listened to both the PS Audio Nuwave DAC and the Bifrost Multibit DAC? I am wondering which of the two would be better.
The Schiit Gungnir Multibit is closer in price to the PS Nuwave DSD.
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich
I was thinking about a used Nuwave DSD vs the Schitt MB.
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