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What are my options for a <$500 desktop DAC?

post #1 of 17
5/27/11 at 12:08am
Thread Starter 

I just got my B&K Reference 125,2 amp, so now I have my speakers (B&W Matrix 805's) cables (MIT Terminator 4's) and amp, but now I need a DAC, Paying off a Grace M903 will take a while, and there are a few things in line first. I need something in the meantime, under 500 and it has to have at least RCA outs, balanced XLR outs would be awesome but I'm not picky Anything come to mind? Thank you! Brandon

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post #2 of 17
5/27/11 at 4:40am

Cambridge audio dac magic, it has balanced XLR outputs and is under $500 , also I don't think you will ever need to upgrade from it anything past this price point is diminishing returns.

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post #3 of 17
5/27/11 at 5:13am

Matrix Mini-i 350 bucks

 

Dual DAC chips of the AD1955 variety. I think these have a better SNR, but by an inaudible amount than the WM8740. Don't quote me on that.

Has a pretty nifty display, not all that useful, but still cool

Nichicon guts

Dual XLR outputs

RCA

 

Audio Gd NB-12 200 bucks (ON SALE)

 

Dual Wolfson WM8740 DAC chip layout just like the Cambridge

Dale Vishay guts

Custom 24k gold plated RCA jacks

Neutrik jacks on the others

Dual XLR outputs

RCA

 

Both are very good. I slightly prefer the Matrix for it's appearance. Both should sound pretty similar but they're built with rather high end electronics and both manufacturers proudly show the internals. The audio Gd has add-on cards that change the tone but I'm not really a fan of that. Both of these Chinese-made DAC's are the epitome of bang for the buck, but thats honestly just my opinion.


Edited by Chris_Himself - 5/27/11 at 5:14am
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post #4 of 17
5/27/11 at 4:27pm
Definitely take a moment to consider the Nuforce Icon HD and Icon HDP.
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post #5 of 17
5/27/11 at 4:55pm

Peachtree Decco, you may end up keeping it once you hear its prowess as a DAC+preamp. Available for $500 refurbished.

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post #6 of 17
5/27/11 at 5:02pm

nfb-12 has the better wm 8741, fyi.

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post #7 of 17
5/27/11 at 5:07pm

The Audio-GD NFB-12 does not have balanced outs.

Peachtree Decco does not have balanced outs.

Nuforce HD and HDP does not have balanced outs.

 

All of these are good dacs, however. 

 

The Yu-long D100 is your best bet for balanced XLR outs under $500.  

 

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post #8 of 17
5/27/11 at 5:17pm

At $429 the DacMagic is a great value, Balanced, analogue and digital O/P and 2 digital and USB I/P. Take a look................

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=320 

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post #9 of 17
5/27/11 at 5:58pm

Whoops I guess it was just the Matrix that had the XLR's


Edited by Chris_Himself - 5/27/11 at 6:01pm
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post #10 of 17
5/27/11 at 7:09pm

not that balanced outs are all that important...  personally, I think the balanced stuff is highly overrated on many phones.

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post #11 of 17
5/27/11 at 9:54pm

Note on the DACMagic

 

Do NOT use the RCA out.  Get XLR to RCA adapters.  The built-in RCA ports are awful sounding.

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post #12 of 17
5/28/11 at 1:04am
Thread Starter 

Looking at all here, and this is what I think so far;

Peachtree decco I hate the Ipod dock on top.

DAC Magic - I need the RCA's to sound good, the XLR's are going to the B&K 125.2, the RCA's are going to a headphone amp (Lisa III XP W/ LLP prolly)

Matrix Mini I - I like it, - looking into it, new model has a remote?

Yu Long D100 - looking into it

NuForce Icon HDP - No XLR's not a deal breaker, but they would help.


I should mention that I will be using TOSLINK to connect my Sound blaster Audigy 2zs platinum pro to the DAC, so I can also use full on high-fi dacs (Bell canto, Audio Research, etc)

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post #13 of 17
5/28/11 at 11:55pm

I would recommend the Matrix Mini-i.  I've been very impressed with the sound and added the M-Stage with upgraded opamp, making the combination really effective.  But even the Mini-i on its own is excellent vale/performance.

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post #14 of 17
5/29/11 at 9:29am

I would suggest to buy used. with that budget you could pick up a PS Audio DLIII, or even a Benchmark DAC1. for me upgrading form the DacMagic to the M2Tech 'Young' was one the best upgrade I made. for the first time I'm truly enjoying my system. the diminishing returns were met the moment I bought the DacMagic; I should've never bought it. your speaker should benefit form a better DAC. 

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post #15 of 17
5/29/11 at 10:16am

Lexicon I-onix u22 ($250): Balanced 1/4" TRS L/R monitor outs (easily converted to xlr), 2 XLR (mic) ins which function as two mono channels or one stereo, each channel with independent volume and phantom power. 1/4" instrument in and amped headphone out. No stereo line level out though.

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