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Best bang for the buck (under $200) DAC with line-out?

post #1 of 10
11/11/10 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 

So I'm looking for a DAC to use at work.  My requirements are that it is under $200 and that it must have a line-out as well as a headphone out.

 

I've been using my computer for some time now (paired with a Meier Arietta) to drive my LiveWire IEMs (yes I know overkill but I like how the Arietta colors the sound) and my Grado 225s.  Generally I listen to Pandora One at work.  There is a indeed some static coming out of the computer sound card, so I imagine a DAC would be helpful.

 

I was looking at the Maverick D1, but then realized that I would basically get no use out of the tube portion of the DAC.  Seems like overkill.

 

Any suggestions?  Some people have also mentioned that I could get an "older" DAC for cheap, but I'm not exactly sure where to start searching for something like that.

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post #2 of 10
11/11/10 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 

Ok, well just realizing that the uDAC-2 looks good and is only $129. 

 

The only other thing that I continue to be confused about is whether to get a 192kHz DAC?  I apologize for my noobie-ness... is it worthwhile to even go for a 192kHz DAC or would I end up having issues getting it to work?  I would be using this on Ubuntu 9.10 linux with a dell desktop and listening to streaming 192 kbit audio over Pandora One.

 

Thanks in advance!

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post #3 of 10
11/11/10 at 3:33pm

How about a filo e7? People say they work wonderfully as a DAC and its only around $100

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post #4 of 10
11/11/10 at 3:46pm

I think what you mean to be asking for is a DAC + Amp in one unit... a DAC usually just has a line-out if it's just a dedicated dac, to have a headphone out it's going to need an amp section.

 

The ibasso line is fairly good for the money and I'm sure you can find something that fits your budget, another popular one is the e-mu 0404 usb which you can pair with a standalone amp at a later point in time.

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post #5 of 10
11/11/10 at 9:14pm

A used PICO is a good solid performer. Headphone out eh....hmmm maybe a Matrix Mini (used if you can find one) an Audio-gd Sparrow might be the best fit for the cost since it can a do a whole pile of things for not a lot of money (so can Matrix Mini). A used Audio-gd FUN is another worthy do it all one box unit.

 

There are quite a few different choices if you buy used...your dollar strethces quite a bit further in this way (same can be said for amps/headphones etc). Most of the members here take very good care of their gear so buying used is not much of a risk.

 

Peete.


Edited by Pricklely Peete - 11/11/10 at 9:16pm
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post #6 of 10
11/16/10 at 12:26am

Audinst Hud-MX1

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post #7 of 10
11/16/10 at 1:40am

Audinst Hud-MX1 or Nuforce uDAC2 ! I think they both have single Wolfson chip and not DUAL. Please confirm.

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post #8 of 10
11/16/10 at 2:12am

Try the DAC from Purepiper,

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/476557/review-of-the-purepiper-dac-a-1-an-excellent-24-96-budget-dac

 

 

the disadv. is it uses an older DAC chipset based on crystal semicom.CS8416.  I am confident it still sounds quite good for the price.

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post #9 of 10
11/16/10 at 2:43am

Or you can get this USB DAC cable to feed your Meier Arietta. That way you can get the benefit of a clean sounding DAC with the coloration that you like. 

 

http://www.headstage.com/USB-DAC-Cable/USB-DAC-Cable-with-35mm-Mini-Plug-75cm-30::10134.html?XTCsid=597ad3bf4c7b735d17fac6951412a6c2

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post #10 of 10
11/17/10 at 4:35pm

uDAC or uDAC2.  Simply an amazing tool.  Plus you cant beet the "I'll just throw that in my pocket and take it with me" size.

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