USB DAC for $200

Do you need something portable like the E7 or does that not matter?

I personally find my usb dac/amp in the Audinst HUD-MX1 a pretty good value at $200 or under. I don't quite remember what it goes for new but it should be under around $170 or so but it can only be bought from ebay from Korea but it arrives pretty fast since I believe they ship it EMS. You could also get one in the FS forums possibly.

Are looking for USB only as in no AC power either?

I think it is hard to find a meaningful upgrade going from an entry level DAC to upper-entry level DAC especially sometning usb/battery powered.  I have 200.00 worth of USB powered DAC/AMP (D4) and do not plan an upgrade for my desktop for a while (getting new portable amp soon though).  

With that said.. I like my Ibasso D4 DAC/AMP very much   Not sure if it is a big sound improvement over the e7  (although D4 reviewed highly here) but, it has rollable opamps so there is a major functionality improvement (you can tailor sound). 

I listen to metal too (older metal, Sabbath, Priest, Maiden) and I felt the topkit rollable amp kit from HiFlight improved the sound of the heavy,  faster paced songs (such as after forever).

The D4 is both a very good DAC and a very good AMP.  I do not see myself upgrading until I go with an AC powered DAC (not usb powered) in the high-mid to high end arena (800+).

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I like my HRT Music Streamer II. It is powered through the USB bus, it has asynchronous USB and excellent sound overall.

CEntrance is great but over your budget, $299.  However, I really enjoy my iBasso gear.  The FiiO gear I've heard was not in the same class as the iBasso.  For the $ you can't go wrong...

This interests me. I also want to up my DAC. I was considering the IBasso D2 at $150, but I really enjoy the warm sound and the bass boost of the E7. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

Do you need something portable like the E7 or does that not matter?

 

I personally find my usb dac/amp in the Audinst HUD-MX1 a pretty good value at $200 or under. I don't quite remember what it goes for new but it should be under around $170 or so but it can only be bought from ebay from Korea but it arrives pretty fast since I believe they ship it EMS. You could also get one in the FS forums possibly.

 

X2. If there's anything I could think of under $200 and excellent value, it's definitely the Audinst HUD-MX1. 

I'd second the recommendation for the HRT Music Streamer II. It's perfect for connecting and forgetting about it. Just works and produces great sound.