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Dedicated Source Components

Schiit Audio Bifrost DAC

Wonderful Clarity

Tibwolf

Pros: Bright and crisp sound, 3 different inputs to match your setup, Solid construction, Great and prompt customer support

Cons: USB addon is pricey, Bright input indicator LEDs on front (color mismatched to a Schiit Lyr)

ALAC lossless music > MBP > Optical > Schiit Bifrost (previously a Nuforce uDac) > Schiit Lyr > Audeze LCD2r2 (previously a Denon d2000)   Artists listened to: Deadmau5 The Birthday Massacre Dub Fx Feed Me Flux Pavilion Skrillex Teebs   The construction of the Bifrost is superb, with only minor quirks. The aluminum chassis is rigid and sturdy;...
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The new reference from Matrix
The new reference from Matrix

Matrix X-Sabre DAC

Pros: Build quality is spectacular, looks great, sounds very good as well

Cons: Lack of Toslink connection and high Vrms for XLR outputs could cause trouble in some systems

either I got a hearing upgrade or mine just ran in
either I got a hearing upgrade or mine just ran in

Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC

Pros: Excellent sound quality and detail, very low price

Cons: soundstage could be a little better

Very functional and neat unit with a good headphone amp that works as both an amp or DAC.
Very functional and neat unit with a good headphone amp that works as both an amp or DAC.

Furutech ADL Esprit

Pros: Small, good-sounding, USB can pass-through optical digital with the unit on or off, very well-built

Cons: Not so great with IEMs or high-impedance headphones.

Manufacturer

819 Results
Yulong Sabre D18

Yulong Sabre D18

“ Yulong D18 is the third DAC that I’ve owned and so far I’m very happy with it. My first DAC is Audinst HUD MX-1, after reading review on Headfonia and Head-fi (project86), I decided to go with the Audinst, then a few months later I bought the Dacport LX + Graham Slee Solo SRG II + HD650. It was a bundle and also my first step into the headphone world, before I was in IEM, after looking around...” --T.F.O.A

100% Positive Reviews
Schiit Audio Bifrost DAC

Schiit Audio Bifrost DAC

“ REVIEW: Schiit Audio “Bifrost” DAC   Introduction   By now, Schiit probably needs no head-fi introduction, and so I will not be providing one.  I will also not be making any jokes about the name.  Sorry.  That was so last review   I had asked to be sent a review loaner of the Bifrost when the announcement was made about its existence.  Schiit...” --Skylab

100% Positive Reviews
OPPO BDP-95 Universal Blu-ray Player

OPPO BDP-95 Universal Blu-ray Player

“ Overall I am very happy with my Oppo 95.  We are not reviewing this stuff here on this site for the video performance so I will skip that.  My only complaint is that its audio output is bass shy.  I bought this to replace a Denon DVD-3930CI which I finally had to give up on.  After listening to the Oppo for awhile through Creek amp and HD600 cans I just couldn't accept it...” --King of Pangaea

100% Positive Reviews
Reference Seven

Reference Seven

“ In a nutshell: if you are looking for a multibit chip DAC, in this price range there is nothing that even compares to the Audio-gd ACSS line flagship. If you find the term multibit confusing, search the forums for "Delta Sigma vs Multibit" (they are two competiting DA converter chip architectures). Using 8 expensive R2R PCM1704UK DAC chips in a balanced configuration and a...” --vrln

100% Positive Reviews
Matrix Mini i DAC

Matrix Mini i DAC

“ Had it in my rig for a few months, might have been unsuccessful in breaking it in properly but after much consideration my Kingrex UD-01 SE with the PSU unit stayed and the Matrix went away. I experimented with using the optical toslink instead of USB but the Kingrex still stood strong, which I didn't expect. Still, a good buy at the 240 something (not quite sure exactly what I paid anymore..). ” --karlhahnert

100% Positive Reviews
PS Audio - PerfectWave DAC

PS Audio - PerfectWave DAC

“ Full featured DAC that comes very close to the performance of cost no object DAC's at a fraction of the price.   If the Network Bridge meets the expectations this will be the DAC for Streaming your Audio from your own Network storage device (NAS, Computer etc.)   Great flexibility. Allows a degree of fine tuning with different SRC settings, or even going Native. Then there's the...” --Yikes

100% Positive Reviews
Schiit Modi

Schiit Modi

“ I will compare the Modi vs the ODAC for this mini-review. They both have the same general "signature" and really just sound very transparent/flat/balanced. I can't really detect any coloration and they don't alter the sound of any of my headphones or make them sound different than how they're supposed to be. I doubt that there is a headphone that would sound bad with the ODAC or Modi. For...” --tdockweiler

100% Positive Reviews
Neko Audio D100 DAC

Neko Audio D100 DAC

“ DISCLOSURE: I received a loaner D100 as part of the Neko Audio D100 loaner program.  Wes Miaw, the man behind Neko Audio put together the loaner program.  All outgoing shipping was at my expense.  The loan was not contingent upon a positive review.  However, Mr. Miaw did ask if I would post my impressions (good or bad).   The D100 is an unassuming DAC.  A black box with a silver knob...” --The Monkey

100% Positive Reviews
Audiolab M-DAC

Audiolab M-DAC

“ I love this DAC - it really sounds fantastic and is packed with features, inputs, outputs and great looks. Designed by arguably the best engineer working in this field - John Westlake (Google him if you're not familiar with his work) - I knew it was going to be good even before hearing it.   John provides support over on the Pink Fish Media forums and has released firmware updates...” --head8k

100% Positive Reviews
ONKYO nd s1

ONKYO nd s1

“ It does what it says in the advert, you can put an iPod on it and get direct digital output into a DAC of your choosing. But there is no analogue output so you must have a DAC or an amp with a digital input, e.g. an AV amp like Onkyo (and most of these can be connected to give an onscreen display showing track info, etc.).   Okay an iPod isn't the ultimate hifi source but it is...” --Fatmangolf

100% Positive Reviews
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