What DAC to pair w/ Swans M200MKIII for PC?

I suggest looking into the HRT Music Streamer II+ (it's $295 if you get an open box from OneCall, otherwise it's $350 -- they have the newest flat/oval-shaped version). It has a USB input, a line-level output, and nothing else. No headphone amp, no SPDIF input, and no volume control, which  keeps the price low. I use it with my M200MkIII's, and I can definitely recommend it. The only thing is that I'd connect it (or any other USB DAC, based on my experience) to a PCI USB card instead of your computer's USB ports, unless they happen to be very good (mine aren't, and the sound is noticeably better through a PCI USB card).

anybody tried the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 or Musical Fidelity V-DAC MKII with the Swan M200MKIII?

YES, I've been waiting for this thread for awhile because im kinda stuck to what DAC to pair with my Swans MKIII as well. 

Currently I am using the Audio GD NFB-12 with Yaqin CD3 Tube Buffer.

I would look into the NFB-12, for 250 shipped, its a hell of a DAC, not to mention that it has a superior amp in it creating more flexibility in the future for headphones etc... The reason why i added the Tube buffer is because i thought the sound overall was still a bit thin for my taste (NFB-12 is DAC on the warm side already) I prefer a very lush and thick sound in my music. I didn't want to scrap the NFB-12 because for its price and quality, I really don't want to sell it. So by adding the tube buffer (around 120bucks) and putting on some nice tubes, BANG! I get exactly what i want, a very thick, spacious, SQ, leaning towards the high end HI-FI sound if you get what i mean.

I've used the HRT streamer II+ before, definitely a great dac, simple and clean. Too bad, i prefer Optical connections over USB (just my thing)

But what I really want to use is the Grant Fidelity Tube DAC 11, check that out. its basically my setup but with a more superior DAC, and a tube buffer inside (equal to 2 of mine) in one package. It even has headphone out for flexibility. Its only for 325$ shipped too. Very curious on trying it but quite tight on cash at the moment.

If you're looking at that grant fidelity, you should look at the maverick audio dac.... it's the same thing at a far less price. 

These speakers are far superior to any other 2.0 set i've heard. Really great pair of speakers. 

i remember you saying that before, can you actually compare and elaborate on them?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwappo99 

If you're looking at that grant fidelity, you should look at the maverick audio dac.... it's the same thing at a far less price. 

 

These speakers are far superior to any other 2.0 set i've heard. Really great pair of speakers. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipes 

i remember you saying that before, can you actually compare and elaborate on them?
 

 

I haven't heard the grant fidelity. I read a TON of information when the maverick first came out. Many sources from other sites compared them and said they were identical. I think the DAC in the maverick is fantastic, but the headphone amp is so-so. I really think the best bang for the buck is in the audio-gd dacs. My nfb-10se sounds really wonderful with my speakers. I could only imagine what my reference one would sound like with the pair.

Yeah i've read about that too. Other than their appearance looking very alike, the internals and connections are all different. Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-11 has a lot more connections for hooking up more units. Different internals inside so i would assume they will sound differently.

Just checked out the Maverick Audio D2 DAC, looks good but the reviews and impression are so scarce so don't really have the confidence to pull the trigger. 

Audio GD dacs are definitely good. I'm using the NFB-12 right now and it indeed sounds amazing but i'm curious for some tube favours in the system.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwappo99 

I haven't heard the grant fidelity. I read a TON of information when the maverick first came out. Many sources from other sites compared them and said they were identical. I think the DAC in the maverick is fantastic, but the headphone amp is so-so. I really think the best bang for the buck is in the audio-gd dacs. My nfb-10se sounds really wonderful with my speakers. I could only imagine what my reference one would sound like with the pair.