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HIFI DAC Kit questions

post #1 of 6
4/4/11 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

Looking to build a DAC kit and I found HIFI DIY - looks like they have a few kits, but I'm not 100% sure what I'm looking for in their kits (they don't seem to have any real descriptions.)

TO start with, I'm hoping for USB/optical/coax inputs, and I'll be pairing this with a tube amp (Darkvoice.) Now, on their site, I'm seeing these mainly:

1543 DAC Kit: http://shop2.hifidiy.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_12&products_id=52
1543 mini: http://shop2.hifidiy.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_12&products_id=45
Another version of the mini (how does the sound differ?): http://shop2.hifidiy.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_12&products_id=47
And another: http://shop2.hifidiy.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_12&products_id=49

So, can someone give me some pointers? How does each of those differ? What DAC is best suited for use with music AND gaming? My source will be my PC (USB or digital out of my X-Fi) into a Darkvoice 336 or my speakers; headphones will likely be DT880-600s.

Also, it looks like the first 1543 kit just has screw terminals where the inputs would go - I assume I'd also need to buy their extension boards then if I want with that kit?

Thanks!

Edit: Is this worth it? http://shop2.hifidiy.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_24&products_id=16
Edited by RampantAndroid - 4/4/11 at 9:59pm
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post #2 of 6
4/4/11 at 11:17pm

You can consider part list as some sort of a description. They have DAC-s built with different ICs, You can chose from.

I would rather chose PCM1794 or PCM1798 rather than the TDA1543.

 

There is the PCM1798/4 olympic version DAC Kit which even has a tube output stage if You prefer tubes.

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post #3 of 6
4/5/11 at 7:15am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by RampantAndroid View Post
What DAC is best suited for use with music AND gaming?


I have grubDAC and have it in usb port all the time. For music and also for gaming. I can even enable 3d sound like EAX, but it's software emulation off course. But no problem so far, works great. So, I guess it doesn't matter which you choose.

 

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post #4 of 6
4/5/11 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
Can anyone contrast the PCM1794 kit against the y2 DAC?

http://www.amb.org/audio/gamma2/

Thanks!
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post #5 of 6
4/6/11 at 4:33pm
Thread Starter 
Bump.
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post #6 of 6
4/6/11 at 9:22pm

y2

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