Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Which Lite DAC for me?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Which Lite DAC for me?

post #1 of 27
6/13/06 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hello fellow forum members, I am looking for a DAC that will eventually go between an NAD C542 and my GS-1 headamp. I use all types of headphones and am basically looking for the DAC from Lite that would fit me best. I would like to stay under $600 if possible.

Just wondering if I should go non-oversampling or with an upsampling version as well as tubed or SS. I have no experience with DACs in a headphone rig. Do I even need a DAC? I do not want to add something that may sound worse.

I know I have not even heard the NAD in my system yet, but I am just doing some homework here. Any advice would be helpful to me. Thanks, Bill

EDIT: Here is their site: http://pacificvalve.us/DACS.html
Reply
post #2 of 27
6/13/06 at 8:22pm
I'm kind of thinking along the same lines, and this review may be food for thought.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...narchy_m24.htm

The Monarchy Audio DAC with the rave review is actually Lite Audio DAC50, to which Monarchy adds some parts/mods and a preamp. The mods to the DAC section do not seem all that extensive, less than mods done by most modding companies out there.

DAC50 is no longer available, but if can be found, I might even prefer it to DAC60 to get it modded a bit. The main difference is basically the DAC chip used, PCM-63K vs. 1704UK, and even though the latter is the latest and greatest, my own tastes may prefer the older 63K.

If not, PacificValve's modded DAC60 seems to be a great deal, considering they even use Mundorf Silver/oil coupling caps plus substantial upgrades for not that much more money.

My bias would be to avoid all the later upsampling models and go with old-school 8x oversampling (but not upsampling) DAC with DF1704 digital filter in slow mode. If tubes are not your cup, Lite DAC38 is the same thing as DAC60 but with SS output stage, and I know someone who believes it is comparable to Lavry in stock form....
Reply
post #3 of 27
6/13/06 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon L
I'm kind of thinking along the same lines, and this review may be food for thought.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...narchy_m24.htm

The Monarchy Audio DAC with the rave review is actually Lite Audio DAC50, to which Monarchy adds some parts/mods and a preamp. The mods to the DAC section do not seem all that extensive, less than mods done by most modding companies out there.

DAC50 is no longer available, but if can be found, I might even prefer it to DAC60 to get it modded a bit. The main difference is basically the DAC chip used, PCM-63K vs. 1704UK, and even though the latter is the latest and greatest, my own tastes may prefer the older 63K.

If not, PacificValve's modded DAC60 seems to be a great deal, considering they even use Mundorf Silver/oil coupling caps plus substantial upgrades for not that much more money.

My bias would be to avoid all the later upsampling models and go with old-school 8x oversampling (but not upsampling) DAC with DF1704 digital filter in slow mode. If tubes are not your cup, Lite DAC38 is the same thing as DAC60 but with SS output stage, and I know someone who believes it is comparable to Lavry in stock form....

Thanks Jon
Reply
post #4 of 27
6/13/06 at 10:54pm
has anyone here has experiences with this store.

How reliable are they. Can you trust that they are actually using the 1704UK grade DACs and don't just re-label them

I have been eying the 38 for a while but have been deterred by ordering in China and being cheated out of the 40$ for the high grade DACs.

Other than that this DAC looks like a great deal. Is the info on the upgrades anywhere on the WEB site?

Has anyone ever measured the 38 or could do a quick RMAA check?

Cheers

Thomas
Reply
post #5 of 27
6/13/06 at 11:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thomaspf
Can you trust that they are actually using the 1704UK grade DACs and don't just re-label them.
Has someone had this happen? Any verified cases or just rumor or worry?
Reply
post #6 of 27
6/14/06 at 12:34am
The DAC-60 is actually reported to sound better than the DAC-68, even though it costs less. Something to do with the DAC-68 using older technology apparantly, and this is why I am considering a DAC-60 right now.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find anyone else on the forum who has heard one, not so far anyway.
Reply
post #7 of 27
6/14/06 at 12:35am
Someone posted it on this forum and I am the worrying type.

Cheers

Thomas
Reply
post #8 of 27
6/14/06 at 1:35am
Thread Starter 
There were not a lot of reviews for the Lite DACs when I did a search here. I am torn between this brand and the Storm D02. Ken seems to be getting his act together again.
Reply
post #9 of 27
6/14/06 at 2:15am
GR Research also offers an upgraded version of the Lite DAC-60.

There is some discussion of the DAC-60 in this thread.

Some impressions of a modded DAC-60 are in this thread here.
Reply
post #10 of 27
6/14/06 at 10:17am

DAC 60 modded, DAC 68 and DAC 38

I have heard the DAC 60 modded and the DAC 68. The difference between the two is the upper mids and highs where for some reason, the DAC 68 really shines. The DAC 60 modded, on the other hand, gets the nod for its low end and dynamics.

Either way, a stock DAC 60 compared to these two sounds somewhat congested in the high end and lacking some dynamics. Its worth getting the mod.

As far as the DAC 38 goes, I was searching and found this review on humble fi, www.humble-fi.com
Reply
post #11 of 27
6/14/06 at 10:27am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys.
Reply
post #12 of 27
6/14/06 at 10:36am
Thanks for your impressions Bluemeteor.

How would you compare the stock/modded DAC-60 with other high end sources? (DACs, CD-players etc.)
Reply
post #13 of 27
6/14/06 at 12:57pm
What I remember from listening to some other higher end converters is that they are more analytical sounding. None of these DACs sound analytical at all due to their tube buffers (except the DAC 38 which is solid state and still does not sound analytical). I have not heard or seen a DAC 39 except for what is on Pacific Valve's web site.

I have compared the DAC 68 to Lite's CD player and let me say that for the price point and build quality (it looks like it can withstand a nuclear blast) the CD player is probably the # 1 deal in audio today. The CD player is somehow able to present the same tonal qualities of the 68 (smooth, rich highs, pleaseant mids) but is missing the last bit of detail and warmth worth spending to money for. I also use the XLR outputs of the CD player as a plus.

Hope this helps....
Reply
post #14 of 27
6/14/06 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemeteor
What I remember from listening to some other higher end converters is that they are more analytical sounding. None of these DACs sound analytical at all due to their tube buffers (except the DAC 38 which is solid state and still does not sound analytical). I have not heard or seen a DAC 39 except for what is on Pacific Valve's web site.

I have compared the DAC 68 to Lite's CD player and let me say that for the price point and build quality (it looks like it can withstand a nuclear blast) the CD player is probably the # 1 deal in audio today. The CD player is somehow able to present the same tonal qualities of the 68 (smooth, rich highs, pleaseant mids) but is missing the last bit of detail and warmth worth spending to money for. I also use the XLR outputs of the CD player as a plus.

Hope this helps....
Cheers Bluemeteor, it sounds like the Lite DACs are the goods.

Their CD player I hadn't really considered but it sounds like it's worth looking into.

Thanks for posting your impressions.
Reply
post #15 of 27
6/14/06 at 1:12pm
EDIT: oops, double post.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Which Lite DAC for me?