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Poll: Best Inexpensive DAC/AMP

post #1 of 14
7/14/10 at 10:58am
Thread Starter 

Not an all-inclusive list by any means, but these seem to be the most popular.

There will certainly be many "it depends" with answering these, so this is purely subjective and based on YOUR preferences.

 

GD-Audio Sparrow Basic

NuForce Icon uDAC

ZERO DAC

EF2A


Edited by SANDW1CH - 7/14/10 at 11:01am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon uDAC (USB DAC and headphone amp)
post #2 of 14
7/14/10 at 12:32pm

Musiland Monitor 02 US.

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post #3 of 14
7/15/10 at 1:05am

Matrix mini-i

May not be the "best" inexpensive DAC/Amp, but it sure makes a strong candidate. I really enjoy mine

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post #4 of 14
7/15/10 at 10:05pm

Sparrow for stationary

iBasso D4 for portable

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post #5 of 14
7/16/10 at 2:09am

Matrix mini-i FTW

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post #6 of 14
7/16/10 at 2:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post

Matrix mini-i

May not be the "best" inexpensive DAC/Amp, but it sure makes a strong candidate. I really enjoy mine


would be interested to know how you rate it alongside other DACs you have tried :)

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post #7 of 14
7/16/10 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cravenz View Post


would be interested to know how you rate it alongside other DACs you have tried :)


Yeah, but I have not compared it to my Isabellina.

The Mini-i makes a nice DAC/Amp for the office rig, driving a pair of K240 Sextetts. Never even tried it as a pure DAC.

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post #8 of 14
7/16/10 at 11:32am

The best inexpensive amp&dac combination is the cheapest, which is typically included built into pitiful, portable picnic players.

 

Come with uncle and hear all proper! Hear angel trumpets and devil trombones. You are invited. 

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post #9 of 14
7/16/10 at 11:39am
Define inexpensive? My fav is the Aune dac/amp
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post #10 of 14
7/16/10 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by francisdemarte View Post

Define inexpensive? My fav is the Aune dac/amp



I suppose inexpensive can be subjective as well.  To me, it would be less than $300.

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post #11 of 14
7/16/10 at 2:45pm

I think the Nuforce Icon Mobile and iBasso D2+ Boa each make strong cases.

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post #12 of 14
7/16/10 at 4:07pm

I vote for the Mini-i and uDac being the best available in their respective price categories; the Hot Audio DAC-WOW is also very good at its price point.


Edited by grokit - 7/16/10 at 4:10pm
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post #13 of 14
7/16/10 at 4:20pm

ibasso D10 is one of the most versatile DAC/Amps in $300 price range.

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/399315/ibasso-d10-updates-1st-page-with-current-opamp-choices-by-hiflight-images-page-1-12-13-14-15-21-71

 

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=39

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post #14 of 14
7/16/10 at 4:24pm
My vote is for the HeadRoom Total BitHead! $150.00 of pure goodness.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

NuForce Icon uDAC (USB DAC and headphone amp)
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