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Upgrading my source, what is the next step after the uDac

post #1 of 8
3/11/11 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 

I have a uDac. It seems that all my equipment is being held back by it though.

 

The uDac clips slightly, it is only really noticeable with speakers since there is a lack of "compression" of noise and the clipping sound stands out. Also it make the speakers hum a bit also barely noticeable with headphones unless they are very sensitive. Also my SR404's are coming in any day now.

 

What source can I get for round $150 that will suit my needs. It does not need an amp section. I would prefer USB but other forms of input are fine. 

 

 

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post #2 of 8
3/13/11 at 7:23pm

Alex I'm not sure how your using that uDAC anymore. When it clipped on me it was because I had too many programs open and runniing. Which I'm sure was because it was USB powered. Whatever you get, it needs it's own power source. The Musiland Monitor might be an option, there only $189 new, not sure what a used one is going for.

 

Just out of curiosity how is your rig set up and how will it be configured when your Stax arrive?

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post #3 of 8
3/14/11 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 

Haha, lack of funds due to speakers! Hell of a bargain considering how great they sound but costly nonetheless for a 15 year old with no steady source of income. My laptop is a POS so yes, that is probably the reason it clips. It doesn't work at all in one USB port and only gives me a high pitch in the right channel. Next source I get will need to be optical capable I think. Matrix Mini maybe? VDAC maybe? Yulong maybe? 

 

My setup will be Akai AP-D2 w/ AT95e > Marantz 2220B > modded SRD-7 > SR-404 or Desktop > new DAC I need > Marantz 2220B > said SRD-7 > SR404. Not bad eh? My 2220B has main and remote speaker outs so I can have my Stax setup and my FE126 bookshelf playing. The FE126's sound like heaven. I shall finish them up this weekend. After this DAC I think I am done for a while. 

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post #4 of 8
3/15/11 at 5:01pm

Lot's of stuff going on in that rig Alex, very retro with the turn table and the receiver. I think your Marantz is probably older than the Pioneer I had when I was your age. Personally I dont really get the appeal of vinyl in 2011, seems like a PITA to me. Anyway do you really need a DAC right now? Cant you just use the audio out on your soundcard to one of the inputs on your receiver? I'm thinking for all your Marantz knows your computer is a tape deck. Just a thought. 

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post #5 of 8
3/15/11 at 5:40pm
Thread Starter 

I do need a DAC. My Realtek onboard is terrible and my 36 year old Marantz lacks a digital input. XD

 

I am thinking of getting an Audinst MX-1 now. The Yulong U100 looked tempting at first but it only had USB and line in. I feel as though digital (Toslink) in my best bet so my DAC won't clip even with my PoS laptop. Does the Audinst look like real upgrade?

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post #6 of 8
3/15/11 at 7:18pm

Alex I'm not real sure how bad Realtek actually is. That's what I have as a sound card too, and the bottle neck on my PC was / is the headphone out. Essentially the uDAC gave me a work around for that. I think the Audinst, which seems like a great little DAC presents a condrum for you though. It has it's own power source which is good if your using it with your desk top but it's not something you're really going to want to tote around with you to use with your lap top. The uDAC is actually perfect for that.

 

Your sound card though is a DAC, at least that's my understanding of a sound card. Your Marantz should be able to receive the analog signal from your sound card via the audio out for speakers on the back of your PC connected to the Audio in on your Marantz via one of the connections for a tape deck. Your Marantz then becomes the amp for your headphones. Just take the uDAC out of the loop and use it with your laptop.

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post #7 of 8
3/15/11 at 7:27pm
Thread Starter 

My laptop is just used to sit on top of my audio stack (receiver/TT) it is not meant to be portable. I have to use my lappy for now since I don't have a desk to put all of my stuff on. My current desk only fits my desktop.

 

I know, the built in sound card is POS therefore I do not want to use it.

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post #8 of 8
3/15/11 at 8:05pm

I'm having good results with my HRT MSII, but its also prone to the occasional glitch when my netbook is under load. The key, I believe, is to dedicate your system to music listening - had no problems with my DAC running Voyage-mpd Linux.

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