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what is a good DAC in the $900-1000 range?

post #1 of 26
8/4/10 at 6:21pm
Thread Starter 

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD800's and the Matrix M-Stage. The NuForce uDAC is my DAC, but I want to upgrade vastly.

 

What are some of the best?

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post #2 of 26
8/5/10 at 12:35pm

Do you need USB?  

 

Are you opposed to used?

 

Is space an issue?

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post #3 of 26
8/5/10 at 12:40pm

Two very good choices would be a Wyred4Sound DAC-1, or an Audio-GD Ref 5.

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post #4 of 26
8/5/10 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveBSC View Post


Two very good choices would be a Wyred4Sound DAC-1, or an Audio-GD Ref 5.





X2 for the Ref5; I've it since two weeks and I'm deeply impressed by it, it seems to do everything right: dynamics, tonality, soundstage, detail... I love it!
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post #5 of 26
8/5/10 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by francoamerican View Post

Do you need USB?  

 

Are you opposed to used?

 

Is space an issue?


Yes I need USB, I will be plugging the RCA from the matrix M-Stage into the DAC, and that into the USB port of my laptop. I have absolutely no problem with used, as long as it continues working.

 

Space is not a problem.

 

PS: I dont know a lot about this, like the sampling part, 96KB sampling for darker tones etc, I have no clue.


Edited by dudefromearth - 8/5/10 at 2:35pm
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post #6 of 26
8/6/10 at 6:43am

A used Cullen modified PS Audio DLIII would definitely be in your price range.  Here's one...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1285084317&/PS-Audio-digital-link-iii-cull

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post #7 of 26
8/6/10 at 9:24am

Benchmark DAC1 USB - used should be no more than $900.  Quite possibly will sound better direct to your phones than even using your headphone amp (which maybe will free up some more cash!)

 

FA

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post #8 of 26
8/6/10 at 9:50am

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.

I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 

The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.

Just an opinion.

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post #9 of 26
8/6/10 at 9:53am


Quote:

Originally Posted by Thaddy View Post

A used Cullen modified PS Audio DLIII would definitely be in your price range.  Here's one...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1285084317&/PS-Audio-digital-link-iii-cull

 

+1 on this.  I have a PSIII + Stage III Cullen modifications and it is very, very nice.

 

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post #10 of 26
8/6/10 at 3:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBSCIX View Post

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.

I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 

The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.

Just an opinion.


what is a S/Pdif input DAC? Where can I get one?

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post #11 of 26
8/6/10 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dudefromearth View Post




what is a S/Pdif input DAC? Where can I get one?


S/Pdif basically means toslink or coaxial.  As a general principle, at that price range, you're not going to get your money's worth from using USB as your connection method.  There are a multitude of problems with most USB receiver chips (clock/jitter issues, capped at 16/48, etc).

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post #12 of 26
8/6/10 at 4:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dev Avidon View Post

S/Pdif basically means toslink or coaxial.

 

Yes, there are 3 kinds of S/PDIF inputs:

 

1)  RCA Coaxial

2)  BNC Coaxial

3)  Toslink (and mini toslink) which is also known as Optical.
 


Edited by IPodPJ - 8/6/10 at 4:20pm
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post #13 of 26
8/7/10 at 8:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBSCIX View Post

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.

I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 

The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.

Just an opinion.


Yes, I agree that looking at a used, well reviewed DAC from a few years ago would be a great way to go too.  That's why I asked if USB was necessary.  

 

How would you recommend hooking up the Coax (which conventional wisdom would say is the way to go - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm) to the USB?

 

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post #14 of 26
8/7/10 at 9:20pm
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by francoamerican View Post




Yes, I agree that looking at a used, well reviewed DAC from a few years ago would be a great way to go too.  That's why I asked if USB was necessary.  

 

How would you recommend hooking up the Coax (which conventional wisdom would say is the way to go - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm) to the USB?

 

Would a digital audio cable enable me to? How would it?

 

I have Headphones> Matrix-M Stage Amp> RCA Cables> Nu-Force U-DAC> Computer (through NuForce USB cable), where would the digital audio cable/coaxial fit in?
 


Edited by dudefromearth - 8/7/10 at 9:23pm
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post #15 of 26
8/7/10 at 9:25pm

There will be a need for USB to SPDIF cover similar to the hi-face

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