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Which DAC/Amp do you recommend?

post #1 of 22
11/30/10 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 

Hey,

 

I want to buy my first DAC/Amp, and in the past few weeks I've been trying to decide which one will be best for me. I'm quite new into the audio world, so I'm not looking into high-end gear, just for a good entry level DAC/Amp. After reading a lot of threads in your forums I narrowed my choices into these 3 DACs:

 

1. NuForce uDAC-2

2. Maverick Audio TubeMagic D1

3. Audinst HUD MX-1

 

 

I'm planning to use the DAC/Amp connected to my PC via USB. Most of the time I'll use it with my Audio-Technica  AD700, but also with my Altec Lansing ATP3 computer speakers.

My main goal is to improve the sound quality of my pc (right now I'm using Realtek HD ALC 888 onboard audio...), and to really get the most out of my headphones and speakers.

I'm hoping that a DAC will improve the SQ when I play games, and also when I watch movies and hear music.

 

I'm leaning toward the Audinst HUD MX-1 cause they gave me a good deal - I can buy it just for 143$, but would love to hear any reccomnedations you have, especially from someone who has expereince with any of the DACs in combination with the AD700 headphones.

I was also thinking about the Xonar STX, but for some reason I'm more attracted to buying a DAC/Amp then a sound card (unless you think the Xonar can give me a bettter SQ for my needs).

 

Thanks


Edited by baabaa4 - 11/30/10 at 9:16am
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post #2 of 22
12/1/10 at 10:03am

I've only heard the Nuforce uDAC, the first model and not the newer 2 model.  However it one terrific buy.  Its quite the all-arounder, with a excellent dac based on the saber chip, high quality RCA outputs, and a great sounding headphone amp section.  

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post #3 of 22
12/1/10 at 10:18am

I think you will be amazed at the improvement with any of those units.  I have used none of them.  The nuforce units get consistantly great reviews for the pricepoint.

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post #4 of 22
12/1/10 at 10:52am
Thread Starter 

hey,

 

Thanks for the answers. Price wise I can handle anyone of the three. There are all within my budget. Well, I guess the Maverick is a little more expansive, but if someone will tell me it's considerebly superiour then the other two, I can dish the extra cash.

 

Well I heard great things about the uDac-2 also, but I'll love to hear anyone who had experience with at least two of the DACs I mentioned, so I can get a comparison between them (especially if one has tried any of these DACs with the AD700).

 

Thanks

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post #5 of 22
12/1/10 at 9:34pm
Thread Starter 

I'll be happy to hear any more opinions

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post #6 of 22
12/1/10 at 9:58pm

Dude, if only you had read the review I read yesterday - the Audinst unit came up against an equally cheap DAC (lets call it 'DAC X'), and the latter unit dressed inappropriately at the MX-1s funeral.

 

Given that I have only just taken delivery of 'DAC X', I want to spend at least a week with it before making any pronouncements, but the reviewer in question was clearly stunned.

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post #7 of 22
12/2/10 at 3:50pm
Thread Starter 

This sounds very intriguing, now you made me curious. Can you give me the link to the review you read? or any hint on the DAC your talking about?

Is it new to the cheap DAC/Amp market? please share your first impressions.

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post #8 of 22
12/2/10 at 5:43pm

My first impressions are very favorable, but the manufacturers suggest that I need to give it 40 hours before making any comments on the sound.

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post #9 of 22
12/3/10 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 

Well, till you get more conclusive impressions on the "DAC X", I'll be happy to hear more opinions regarding the DAC's I meantioned in the beginning of the thread.

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post #10 of 22
12/4/10 at 5:54am
Thread Starter 

Any more suggestions?

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post #11 of 22
12/4/10 at 9:25pm

http://www.moon-audio.com/High_Resolution_Technologies.htm

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post #12 of 22
12/4/10 at 10:30pm
i am user of Maverick DAC D1
 
i share my opinion
 
for All in one & multi function very good
 
i use :
 
PC - DAC - Edifier C3  / Semmheizer HD555
 
MP3 player - DAC - Edifier C3 / Sennheizer HD 555
 
and for other function
 
u can read in here :
 
 
 
also good for your Altec Lansing ATP3 + Maverick DAC D1  beerchug.gif
 
 
 

Edited by lepel - 12/4/10 at 10:32pm
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post #13 of 22
12/4/10 at 10:37pm

I have a Xonar STX and think its a great sound card, but u're probably better off with an external dac.  The good thing about it is that you can tweak it by rolling opamps.

The Tube Magic D1 is also a good alternative, great flexibility with tube and opamp rolling.

 

Should also consider the offerings from Audio-GD...

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post #14 of 22
12/5/10 at 8:36am

When can we expect to learn what DAC X is?

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post #15 of 22
12/5/10 at 2:22pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by wcamspacher View Post

When can we expect to learn what DAC X is?



Er, did you click on the last link I posted ? Did you read the 6Moons review ? Have you read the Stereophile reviews ?

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