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Need a new DAC - Please Advise!

post #1 of 12
7/8/11 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 

Heya,

 

So I'm looking to get an external stand-alone DAC. I don't want a DAC/AMP if I can help it. I'd like one that has a lot of inputs. It will be feeding a Little Dot MK III which drivers, amongst many, some BeyerDynamic DT990's, Ultrasone Pro 900's and Sennheiser HD580's.

 

What I'm looking for in inputs:

 

Optical

SPDIFF

USB

RCA

 

Looking for in output:

 

RCA x 2

 

Most of what I find is either just USB, or it's a DAC/AMP combo and I don't want to double amp the signal.

 

Budget is pretty fluid. It's feeding the LDMK3, so keep that as an idea for budget. If you can't do that, it's ok, recommend something anyways. Taking all considerations!

 

Just looking for a handsome (would like black!) DAC that has those inputs for variety (would be nice to be able to do 24b/96khz even on USB).

 

Please advise!

 

Very best, beerchug.gif

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post #2 of 12
7/8/11 at 5:29am

For the last 2 years I tried the squeezebox Classic and Touch without a DAC and after that with the Meier Stagedac, the MHDT Havana and the Audio-GD REF5DSP I finally found what I was looking for in the Rega DAC, a fantastic musical sound.

It also has lots of inputs (2x Coax, 2x toslink, 1 USB) and some digital outputs too (1 toslink, 1 coax).


Edited by dura - 7/8/11 at 5:32am
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post #3 of 12
7/8/11 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dura View Post

For the last 2 years I tried the squeezebox Classic and Touch without a DAC and after that with the Meier Stagedac, the MHDT Havana and the Audio-GD REF5DSP I finally found what I was looking for in the Rega DAC, a fanatastic musical sound.

It also has lots of inputs (6) and some digital outputs too, probably what you are looking for (I'm not sure about the difference between SPDIFF RCA you mention).


Looks lovely. $1,000 might be overkill for what it will be feeding. Thanks though!

 

Any thoughts on something like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC? Or Firestone Audio Spitfire MK2 24bit? Or Little Dot DAC I?

 

Very best,


Edited by MalVeauX - 7/8/11 at 5:50am
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post #4 of 12
7/9/11 at 5:02am
Thread Starter 

Heya,

 

24 hour bump.

 

Looking for more options.

 

Everyone too good to reply? wink_face.gif

 

Very best,

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post #5 of 12
7/9/11 at 5:10am

i hate to be a guy who recommends a product that hasn't hit the street yet.

but, i'll simply bring it to your attention, instead.

the Schiit Bifrost dac has all you are looking for.

at about half the cost of the Rega.

 

there aren't many dacs out there, especially not under $1000, that will do 24/96 usb.

the Bifrost does it for $450.

 

take a look...

http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=7


Edited by TheWuss - 7/9/11 at 5:12am
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post #6 of 12
7/9/11 at 5:14am

Matrix Cube

 

or

 

Matrix Mini-I

 

?

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post #7 of 12
7/9/11 at 5:41am

Matrix Quattro?

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post #8 of 12
7/9/11 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 

Heya,

 

Really like that Matrix Cube DAC. Any ideas where the best place to buy it is? Found a few on eBay. Any retailers that are reputable? Looking to buy it in USD here in the States. Anyone bought one from outside country and had to pay any customs, etc,?

 

Very best,

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post #9 of 12
7/11/11 at 5:27am
Thread Starter 

Heya,

 

24hr bump.

 

Any thoughts on where to buy Matrix Cube DAC for someone in the States?

 

Found it for sale here. Any idea if I'll have to pay customs or anything?

 

Very best,

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post #10 of 12
7/11/11 at 5:41am

http://tamaudio.com/store

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post #11 of 12
7/11/11 at 5:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by guido View Post

http://tamaudio.com/store


Found them on a google search. Never bought from or heard of them before. Good store? Reliable?

 

Anyone know about customs in US when having something shipped from China?

 

$300 shipped, vs. $270 + shipping? Dunno what TamAudio charges for shipping (not making an account unless buying).

 

Anyone bought there? Any experience?

 

Very best,

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post #12 of 12
7/11/11 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 

Heya,

 

So after reading reviews and going over specs, I went with the Matrix Cube DAC. I like that it's got a built in amplifier and I like the white. This way if my tubes go out, I can still listen on something while I wait since it's decent enough as an amp. I like it's inputs. Seems to be a very good performer. Will do a review when I receive it. It was $270 shipped for free from TamAudio, hopefully they're decent at processing and shipping.

 

Sure wish this section of the forum was as active as the headphones forum...

 

Very best, beerchug.gif

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