Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Looking for $200 DAC
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Looking for $200 DAC

post #1 of 40
4/20/11 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 

Let me start by saying hello, I just became a member of the forums here at Head-Fi! 

 

I currently have a pair of Logitech z-5500 speakers that I use to listen to my computer. I know I know, not exactly the greatest things in the world. But I have decided to sell them and grab a pair of Swan M200Mk III's for music listening off of my computer.I have a $400 budget for speakers, if anyone thinks that there are speakers out there $500 that are "you have to have these!" or "definitely worth the extra $100" then I may be able to be convinced to check em out.

 

Now back to the main subject here. I am looking for an external DAC to use with the speakers. I will probably be using optical for the input, RCA for the speaker output, and also want a headphone out for use with my ATH M50's. I listen to a wide variety of genre, from piano/orchestral to hip-hop/rap/dubstep. I have maximum budget of $200 for the DAC. I just don't know what exactly I want (I have never had a DAC and have always used on-board audio from my computer to listen to music). I do know that I want to pull the best possible quality and sound from my speakers and headset that I can.

 

Any and all help is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

Reply
post #2 of 40
4/24/11 at 5:36pm
Thread Starter 

bump?

Reply
post #3 of 40
4/26/11 at 8:50am

Welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet.  =]

 

Try the Audio-GD NFB-12.  It's $237 shipped from Pacific Valve (in the US).  Excellent product and seems to be the perfect fit for you.

Reply
post #4 of 40
4/26/11 at 11:51am

I'm not sure if you are stuck on active speakers for a reason or not, but you may want to look at a small desktop amp for passive speakers.  If you go that route you will open yourself up to a whole lot more options. 

 

I would grab either a good cheap T-Amp, or something like this - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812 (this is really a Emotiva BPA-1)

 

Then grab a pair of HSU HB-1 bookshelf's or Mirage OMD-5's from Vanns, it would put you close to the $400 (check that site they have $100 amps) and probably sound better.  I think ultimately going this way will allow you to spend more now on a good speaker. What will happen is later as you save money you can get better amps as an upgrade path but even the basic $45 T-AMP from parts-express will get you a nice sound, so you can budget more money on the speakers / DAC.  Make sense?

 

As far as DAC's go, I'd recommend Matrix Mini-I, but it's $320 on ebay, maybe you can find one used - I noticed the new 2011 editions come with remote control, that's a nice feature.

Reply
post #5 of 40
4/26/11 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post

Welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet.  =]

 

Try the Audio-GD NFB-12.  It's $237 shipped from Pacific Valve (in the US).  Excellent product and seems to be the perfect fit for you.



Haha thanks. I have heard good things of the audio-GD NFB-12, it is in consideration. But I have decided to instead look for a DAC that is just a DAC,not necessarily with a headphone amp included, and purchase a stand-alone tube pre-amp for the cans/speakers. I will definitely keep this one in mind. 

 

The outputs under "Dac out" are RCA?


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by soulrider4ever View Post

I'm not sure if you are stuck on active speakers for a reason or not, but you may want to look at a small desktop amp for passive speakers.  If you go that route you will open yourself up to a whole lot more options. 

 

I would grab either a good cheap T-Amp, or something like this - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812 (this is really a Emotiva BPA-1)

 

Then grab a pair of HSU HB-1 bookshelf's or Mirage OMD-5's from Vanns, it would put you close to the $400 (check that site they have $100 amps) and probably sound better.  I think ultimately going this way will allow you to spend more now on a good speaker. What will happen is later as you save money you can get better amps as an upgrade path but even the basic $45 T-AMP from parts-express will get you a nice sound, so you can budget more money on the speakers / DAC.  Make sense?

 

As far as DAC's go, I'd recommend Matrix Mini-I, but it's $320 on ebay, maybe you can find one used - I noticed the new 2011 editions come with remote control, that's a nice feature.


I am by no means stuck on active speakers. The main reason I was looking at speakers was because of the simplicity. I honestly do not know that much about the quality audio world, and the Swan m200mk III's seemed to be great speakers right out of the box. But, I would be more than happy to go the passive route, spend a little more time on research, perhaps spend a little more money (sorry wallet), and get more out of my speakers. 

 

If I go the passive route, there are going to be a lot more questions, and a lot of things change, including budget.

I'd probably be willing to spend $200 max on the amp and $200 max per speaker. 
 

Now that arises more questions (sorry).

To achieve a good music listening experience, would it be best to go DAC->Tube Pre-Amp->Regular SS Amp->Speakers?

If I were to go passive, I would also want the possibility of adding a sub down the road, so I am not quite sure what that would require of the DAC and or the amp(s).

 

Looks are also kind of important to me. And I sort of have a go big or go home mentality with the speakers within reason (sorry again wallet).

 

Thanks for all the help!

Reply
post #6 of 40
4/26/11 at 6:00pm

I don't know about NFB-12, but if you want to step down and look for an option that really makes your dollar worth it

Audinst MX-1 that sells around $180 will be a good option

 

Reply
post #7 of 40
4/26/11 at 7:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddyboy1 View Post

The outputs under "Dac out" are RCA?

 


Yes.

Reply
post #8 of 40
4/26/11 at 7:14pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamvincent View Post

I don't know about NFB-12, but if you want to step down and look for an option that really makes your dollar worth it

Audinst MX-1 that sells around $180 will be a good option

 


You have this?  Have you heard it?

Reply
post #9 of 40
4/27/11 at 5:56am
Quo

I am by no means stuck on active speakers. The main reason I was looking at speakers was because of the simplicity. I honestly do not know that much about the quality audio world, and the Swan m200mk III's seemed to be great speakers right out of the box. But, I would be more than happy to go the passive route, spend a little more time on research, perhaps spend a little more money (sorry wallet), and get more out of my speakers. 

 

If I go the passive route, there are going to be a lot more questions, and a lot of things change, including budget.

I'd probably be willing to spend $200 max on the amp and $200 max per speaker. 
 

Now that arises more questions (sorry).

To achieve a good music listening experience, would it be best to go DAC->Tube Pre-Amp->Regular SS Amp->Speakers?

If I were to go passive, I would also want the possibility of adding a sub down the road, so I am not quite sure what that would require of the DAC and or the amp(s).

 

Looks are also kind of important to me. And I sort of have a go big or go home mentality with the speakers within reason (sorry again wallet).

 

Thanks for all the help!

Well - you could skip out on the tube pre-amp all together if you purchased a DAC with built in attenuation, same for the SS amp.  At your budget I would imagine a tube pre hurting more than helping - but that's just me, usually you want to spend at least $1k on a good tube pre.  If you want to add a sub you should find a DAC with 2 analog outputs, for example - the matrix mini-i has XLR & RCA - you could get a subwoofer with a XLR input and go into a sub, but usually you get a preamp that has a sub-woofer output with built in LFE controls and a single unbalanced out.  As far as speakers go, they will always be the most important element of a system - but it's all the components combined that make or break a good setup.  I think in your situation, figure out exactly what your budget is - and remember that in a year from now, you will probably have saved up some more money to upgrade other components, so definitely spend the majority of your money on the speakers, then dac, then amp.  The T amp despite it's small size is a very good amp for the money and should drive any bookshelf speaker in your price range reasonably well.  Their are better ones out there than the one I had mentioned from parts express, look into kingrex and trends if you want to spend a bit more on the amp.
 

As far as speakers go, well - going passive leaves you with about a billion choices in that price range, ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little - but take your time when picking out bookshelf speakers.  Obviously, if you can - find a local dealer to audition different brands, generally they all have a house sound.  Either way, just about any bookshelf is going to be better than what you had.  Also take into account the size of the room that the speakers are going into, if it's a smallish room you can get away with a smaller speaker.  Be sure to check audiogon for some used gear with good prices.  A lot of vendors have in home trials, so don't be afraid to try a few out and return some. 

 

Good luck!

 

Reply
post #10 of 40
4/28/11 at 7:21pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamvincent View Post

I don't know about NFB-12, but if you want to step down and look for an option that really makes your dollar worth it

Audinst MX-1 that sells around $180 will be a good option

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post

Quote:


You have this?  Have you heard it?


Thought so.

 

Reply
post #11 of 40
4/28/11 at 8:06pm
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by soulrider4ever View Post



Well - you could skip out on the tube pre-amp all together if you purchased a DAC with built in attenuation, same for the SS amp.  At your budget I would imagine a tube pre hurting more than helping - but that's just me, usually you want to spend at least $1k on a good tube pre.  If you want to add a sub you should find a DAC with 2 analog outputs, for example - the matrix mini-i has XLR & RCA - you could get a subwoofer with a XLR input and go into a sub, but usually you get a preamp that has a sub-woofer output with built in LFE controls and a single unbalanced out.  As far as speakers go, they will always be the most important element of a system - but it's all the components combined that make or break a good setup.  I think in your situation, figure out exactly what your budget is - and remember that in a year from now, you will probably have saved up some more money to upgrade other components, so definitely spend the majority of your money on the speakers, then dac, then amp.  The T amp despite it's small size is a very good amp for the money and should drive any bookshelf speaker in your price range reasonably well.  Their are better ones out there than the one I had mentioned from parts express, look into kingrex and trends if you want to spend a bit more on the amp.
 

As far as speakers go, well - going passive leaves you with about a billion choices in that price range, ok maybe I'm exaggerating a little - but take your time when picking out bookshelf speakers.  Obviously, if you can - find a local dealer to audition different brands, generally they all have a house sound.  Either way, just about any bookshelf is going to be better than what you had.  Also take into account the size of the room that the speakers are going into, if it's a smallish room you can get away with a smaller speaker.  Be sure to check audiogon for some used gear with good prices.  A lot of vendors have in home trials, so don't be afraid to try a few out and return some. 

 

Good luck!

 



Well, I am almost 100% set on the Audio-GD NFB-12. Like Sphinxvc said, it is right within my budget and perfect for my needs. When I was talking about getting a tube pre-amp, that was not going to be factored into the original budget I had set. I would save up some more to add it to the setup.

 

I am thinking around $250 for the DAC (Audio-GD NFB-12)

around $200 for a tube pre/amp (Little DOT II?)

then somewhere around $400-$500 for the speakers (Active or Passive, I still have no idea)

 

I will worry about the tube pre/amp after I get the DAC and speakers though.

 

Hopefully the Audio-GD NFB-12 stays the same price for a while, I have to sell my current speakers (Logitech Z-5500) and some other stuff that I don't need before I make this plunge.

But I am quite excited for the difference in sound quality with the new and coming setup whatever it will be!

 

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

 

I should probably start a thread else where for speaker discussion eh?


Edited by buddyboy1 - 4/28/11 at 8:08pm
Reply
post #12 of 40
4/29/11 at 2:26pm

I would suggest you take a look at the matrix mini-, the hlly smk-iii, the zhaolu dac and the zero dac.

I would most likely buy the hlly smk-iii which is balanced so will allow future upgrades and is also supposed to have a brilliant neutral dac.

Reply
post #13 of 40
4/29/11 at 3:10pm

I think the best improvement in sound for you would be to scrap the DAC/ amp for now and get a pair of Denon D5000/ 7000 headphones (call JR.com and work them for the best price). Even from your soundcard, these will improve your listening experience over the M50. Not that the M50 is bad- for a $100 headphone it's one of the best IMO. Yes I have owned all 3 mentioned. If this suggestion does not appeal to you, the NFB-12 is quite good (own that too).

Reply
post #14 of 40
4/30/11 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackmccabe View Post

I would suggest you take a look at the matrix mini-, the hlly smk-iii, the zhaolu dac and the zero dac.

I would most likely buy the hlly smk-iii which is balanced so will allow future upgrades and is also supposed to have a brilliant neutral dac.


 

 

Will balanced connections really be that necessary in a home audio setup? 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by tim3320070 View Post

I think the best improvement in sound for you would be to scrap the DAC/ amp for now and get a pair of Denon D5000/ 7000 headphones (call JR.com and work them for the best price). Even from your soundcard, these will improve your listening experience over the M50. Not that the M50 is bad- for a $100 headphone it's one of the best IMO. Yes I have owned all 3 mentioned. If this suggestion does not appeal to you, the NFB-12 is quite good (own that too).


That is definitely something to consider.

Even though I love my M50's, and I can't even imagine how good D5000/7000 would sound , I really do like having the ability to music without having to put headphones on all the time. 

If I get the DAC, I will have improved sound for the M50's and the speakers in which I am going to get as well, not to mention a way to get the audio to the speakers.

 

Reply
post #15 of 40
4/30/11 at 3:03pm

Balanced is useful as it means if you ever decide to go balanced you do not have to replace your source.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › Looking for $200 DAC