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E10 - Odac -->?

post #1 of 12
12/12/12 at 8:53am
Thread Starter 

I've been trying to read up on DAC's but it's more confusing that Headphones or amps.

It seems like everyone has a different opinion on which DAC they like.

 

I ordered a e10 which will get here soon, but that'll be for portable uses mainly.

I have a HD600 and Asgard right now.

Xmas is coming up and I want to ask for a good DAC.

I was thinking Odac, but i hear it is very unforgiving.  And I HATE the sounds of poorly recorded tracks and I think odac will only amplify that.

 

The things I care most are:

Detailed sound and good separation.  Vocals too.

 

I know Odac is good bang for buck, but I can probably go up to around $300.

Are there any -300 DACs that are significantly better than the Odac?

 

Thanks... I have a final in 3 hours and am I addy.

Damn I typed this up fast.

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post #2 of 12
12/12/12 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSGO rice View Post

I've been trying to read up on DAC's but it's more confusing that Headphones or amps.

It seems like everyone has a different opinion on which DAC they like.

 

I ordered a e10 which will get here soon, but that'll be for portable uses mainly.

 

 

The E10 is not a portable DAC, it's a desktop model.

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post #3 of 12
12/12/12 at 9:18am
Thread Starter 

yeah, i meant i'll just take it to the library with me when I go study instead of taking a 6lb asgard with w/e dac i end up getting.

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post #4 of 12
12/12/12 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSGO rice View Post

I've been trying to read up on DAC's but it's more confusing that Headphones or amps.

It seems like everyone has a different opinion on which DAC they like.

 

I ordered a e10 which will get here soon, but that'll be for portable uses mainly.

I have a HD600 and Asgard right now.

Xmas is coming up and I want to ask for a good DAC.

I was thinking Odac, but i hear it is very unforgiving.  And I HATE the sounds of poorly recorded tracks and I think odac will only amplify that.

 

The things I care most are:

Detailed sound and good separation.  Vocals too.

 

I know Odac is good bang for buck, but I can probably go up to around $300.

Are there any -300 DACs that are significantly better than the Odac?

 

Thanks... I have a final in 3 hours and am I addy.

Damn I typed this up fast.

 

 

The ODAC won't amplify anything: It converts digital audio to analog as is. But to address your concern, the poor sound of poor source like a recorded track will be unaltered. Since the ODAC is measurably transparent, there isn't any device at any price which can do audibly better.

 

However, if what you want is an electronic device which "forgives" bad audio, it's probably worthwhile to look at an inexpensive tube amp. Especially at the low end, they tend to roll-off high frequencies and add even-order harmonics. These characteristics lead to a sound commonly called "warm." Maybe this is what you're looking for.

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post #5 of 12
12/12/12 at 9:38am

The ODAC is rather overhyped.

 

I've never heard one, but the excessive praise is a bit much, to me. Sounds rather flavour of the month.

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post #6 of 12
12/12/12 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J View Post

The ODAC is rather overhyped.

 

I've never heard one, but the excessive praise is a bit much, to me. Sounds rather flavour of the month.

 

It's nothing more than a USB-attached DAC which is measurably transparent. It's not filled with magical synergy, tubes, expensive but useless balanced-line outputs, or anything else. What was your point again?


Edited by HamilcarBarca - 12/12/12 at 11:03am
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post #7 of 12
12/12/12 at 5:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

It's nothing more than a USB-attached DAC which is measurably transparent. It's not filled with magical synergy, tubes, expensive but useless balanced-line outputs, or anything else. What was your point again?

Trying to get on your nerves. How am I doing?
Seriously, I guess I'm just sick of the ODAC hype.

BTW, I wouldn't lump in balanced outputs with all the other stuff you listed.
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post #8 of 12
12/12/12 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

It's nothing more than a USB-attached DAC which is measurably transparent. It's not filled with magical synergy, tubes, expensive but useless balanced-line outputs, or anything else. What was your point again?

Trying to get on your nerves. How am I doing?
Seriously, I guess I'm just sick of the ODAC hype.

BTW, I wouldn't lump in balanced outputs with all the other stuff you listed.

 

You might be sick of what the ODAC does, but it's unimportant to the truth.

 

You can read about the purpose of balanced lines. They serve no purpose in a home audio system beyond bragging rights,

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post #9 of 12
12/12/12 at 5:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca View Post

You might be sick of what the ODAC does, but it's unimportant to the truth.

You can read about the purpose of balanced lines. They serve no purpose in a home audio system beyond bragging rights,

I know what a balanced line does, without getting into an endless, useless debate ( I would argue that this has been debated ad nauseum) that they can be useful in a home audio system.
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post #10 of 12
12/12/12 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSGO rice View Post

I've been trying to read up on DAC's but it's more confusing that Headphones or amps.

It seems like everyone has a different opinion on which DAC they like.

 

I ordered a e10 which will get here soon, but that'll be for portable uses mainly.

I have a HD600 and Asgard right now.

Xmas is coming up and I want to ask for a good DAC.

I was thinking Odac, but i hear it is very unforgiving.  And I HATE the sounds of poorly recorded tracks and I think odac will only amplify that.

 

The things I care most are:

Detailed sound and good separation.  Vocals too.

 

I know Odac is good bang for buck, but I can probably go up to around $300.

Are there any -300 DACs that are significantly better than the Odac?

 

Thanks... I have a final in 3 hours and am I addy.

Damn I typed this up fast.

Might help to know what source(s) your plugging the DAC into?

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post #11 of 12
12/13/12 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 

I'll be plugging it into my computer.

Macbook as well as PC desktop.
 

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post #12 of 12
12/13/12 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSGO rice View Post

I'll be plugging it into my computer.

Macbook as well as PC desktop.
 

For your PC, just save some cash and get the Asus Xonar DX or D1 sound card, CS4398 DAC chip, $65-$81

Xonar will support movies and gaming too.

 

Or a Hifimediy Sabre USB DAC, $52-$74.

http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=83

 

Schitt just came out with a new USB DAC, for $99, the modi.

http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

 

Spend the left over cash for something else.

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