I am hoping someone may be able to just sway me in one direction or the other. I am not a Audiophile expert by any means, but I know I like quality audio and that means hearing the finer detail of the instruments, the subtlety of voices, and tight, accurate bass. I like rock, pop, DJ mixes, jazz, not so much classical, but occasionally. Any insight from you, the experts, would be GREATLY appreciated.
I want a DAC with a headphone amp, so that narrows the playing field. Based on reviews, I have narrowed my DAC choice to the following, no particular order:
1.) Benchmark DAC 1-USB (or DAC-1 with a USB/SPDIF adaptor) - Great reviews, at the high end of my budget
2.) Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus - Nice, lots of features, the DACMagic non plus has a lot of positive reviews, the plus has ok reviews, but uses a wall wart, which I am not fond of, potential blowing of eardrums due to no marker for volume, ASIO driver seems like it might be a pain
3.) Music Fidelity M1DAC - main problem is no headphone amp, but I could add an A/B switch on the output of the DAC, switching between headphone and pre-amp/receiver. - Great reviews
4.) Xonar Essence One - The only Chinese DAC I considered and only because it popped up on my radar and actually drove me toward my interest in an DAC in the first place. Hardly any reviews, but i do like the bit-perfect indicator and the 2 volume knobs.
This is for use with both a CD Player, laptop and desktop (not all connected at the same time). I am currently using a Bellari HA540 head phone amp (line level input) which does not have a pass through, thus the reason for wanting a DAC with HPA. Headphones are AKG K601's.
Thanks
Edited by mjmonjure - 1/17/12 at 2:36pm
