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Re: DAC Suggestions for use w/ HD650 & Schiit Lyr

post #1 of 3
3/3/11 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 

Hi Head-Fi-ers,

 

I've been trolling the forums for a long time now without bothering to register.  Information and reviews supplied by these forums helped me purchase my Shure SE530s and a Ray Samuels Audio P-51 Mustang for my portable listening pleasure a few years ago.

 

This time I've decided to invest in some desktop equipment.  The current plan is to use my laptop as a source.  I've picked Sennheiser HD650 for my headphones, and the Schiit Lyr as the amplifier.

 

With these components decided upon, I'm now turning to the forums for suggestions on a dedicated DAC.  With so many available options, I thought it prudent to ask the experts.  I'm obviously looking for the most "bang for the buck", though I'm definitely not against spending $500 on a DAC.  I've read as much as I could find on Head-Fi about the Yulong D100, as well as the Audio-gd NFB2.  Input on these two choices in conjunction with the other items I decided on, or any other suggestions for a DAC would be appreciated.

 

As far as what I'm looking for in a DAC:

USB input (24/96 support preferred)

RCA output (to my understanding, RCA is the Lyr's only input)

Price < or = $500

 

Though I've been reading about audio equipment for a while, highly technical information/jargon still goes over my head, as my career of choice doesn't relate to sound or engineering.  As such, simple answers tailored to an idiot are preferred.

 

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

-Pras

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post #2 of 3
3/3/11 at 3:46pm

Hey,

 

I too am reasonably new to the whole thing but have jump in with my feet running.  I just ended my search for a dac and amp or combo to go with my Lyr.  I live near a store that let me spend as much time as I wanted switching cables between different equipment. 

 

I finally made the jump to the MHDT Havana DAC.  Although this might be out of the price range of what you are looking at, it is how I got to my decision that may be of help.  The first day I spent a lot of time in the store with different equipment I tried the following dacs or combos against each other: HRT music streamer II+ < MHDT Paradisea 3 =(ish) Burson 160D < Music Hall 25.3.

 

I think that translates to $350 < $569 (almost equal to) $1100 < $595.  The Music Hall was so great to my ears I nearly canceled my pre-order of the Lyr and figured on just going with the Music Hall.  I probably would have done that, but I forgot to.  Before I knew it my Lyr was being shipped. 

 

I went back to the store and figured on picking up the Music Hall to use as a dedicated DAC (which it really is).  And outputting into the Lyr. 

 

Long story short (although it is already long), without any technical jargon and going purely on personally testing it in the store with my music from my laptop I would have picked the Music Hall 25.3 if I were staying in that price range.  I mean, to me, it sounded better than an $1100 dac/amp combo.  It didn't sound better than the Havana to me, but that is a different story.  Again, I am somewhat new to all this so take what I said with a huge grain o' salt.

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post #3 of 3
3/3/11 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 

Mikerobe,

 

I looked into the prices of both.  It looks like the MHDT Havana costs $872, and the Music Hall 25.3 is running $595.

 

I'll definitely keep your suggestions in mind, in the event that I can get them cheaper via these forums or online (or if I can scrounge up the extra cash).  I've also heard the Havana sounds incredible, so I'd love to grab one up if I have the resources to do so.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

-Pras

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