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Best dirt cheap USB DAC?
Jul 11, 2015 at 4:46 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 10
mrmonday

mrmonday

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I am talking about USB DACs under $50. I have read that the law of diminishing returns is especially true for DACs so I have been searching for good bang for your buck options. The two that look promising are the Signstek USB DAC (http://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Coaxial-Converter-Decoder-Analogue/dp/B00FEDHHKE/ref=sr_1_11?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1436249483&sr=1-11&keywords=usb+digital+audio+converter&pebp=1436249517158&perid=1T2Q01GX3ASW2DERY0PV) and the Behringer UCA222 (http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA222-BEHRINGER-U-CONTROL/dp/B0023BYDHK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1436603887&sr=1-1&keywords=behringer+uca&pebp=1436604042407&perid=1MZWF1NBM3SWS08ZG4HM) I am leaning toward the Signstek because it is FLAC compatible while I believe the Behringer is not. Both units have solid reviews but I would like to ask for community opinions and if there are other similar options please recommend them.
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 8:33 AM Post #2 of 10
HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC
 
http://hifimediy.com/sabre-dac-uae23
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 4:43 PM Post #3 of 10
jozurr said:
  HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC
 
http://hifimediy.com/sabre-dac-uae23
Click to expand...

I have seen this DAC recommended many times. Is the ES9023 chip set that much better than the PCM 2704 chip set? I ask because the Muse has far more connections with the option of optical, coaxial, and RCA out while the Sabre is restricted to usb and headphone out. The Muse is also nearly half the price, but if the Sabre sounds superior I will pay extra for it.
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 4:56 PM Post #4 of 10
I compared a $99 Modi 2 to my laptop and did not hear a difference. If you're on a low budget, you may not even need a DAC. If you do end up getting one, be sure to compare with and without, in case you don't hear a difference, in which case you could return it or seek out another DAC.
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 6:56 PM Post #5 of 10
music alchemist said:
  I compared a $99 Modi 2 to my laptop and did not hear a difference. If you're on a low budget, you may not even need a DAC. If you do end up getting one, be sure to compare with and without, in case you don't hear a difference, in which case you could return it or seek out another DAC.
Click to expand...

You make a very good point. I have been hanging out over in the portable section for awhile and I think I am going to get the E12A as my primary amp. As a portable amp it will be great since I already have an apple lightning to 30pin adapter so all I need in order to bypass my iphone 6s internal amp is a fiio LOD. However, when using the E12A with my laptop, it is impossible to bypass the internal amp without bypassing the internal DAC (to my knowledge). Basically I am hoping that an improvement in sound will not be due to a superior DAC but rather due to avoiding dual amps in succession. However, I could be overestimating how much of a detriment it is to use both amps in succession aka not bypassing my laptops internal amp. I hope this makes sense!
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 7:11 PM Post #6 of 10
mrmonday said:
  You make a very good point. I have been hanging out over in the portable section for awhile and I think I am going to get the E12A as my primary amp. As a portable amp it will be great since I already have an apple lightning to 30pin adapter so all I need in order to bypass my iphone 6s internal amp is a fiio LOD. However, when using the E12A with my laptop, it is impossible to bypass the internal amp without bypassing the internal DAC (to my knowledge). Basically I am hoping that an improvement in sound will not be due to a superior DAC but rather due to avoiding dual amps in succession. However, I could be overestimating how much of a detriment it is to use both amps in succession aka not bypassing my laptops internal amp. I hope this makes sense!
Click to expand...

 
Looks like your goal here is to use the DAC to circumvent double amping. I understand that the E12A is for IEMs. There could be output impedance complications to deal with there. With some laptops, it may be an issue, but on the other hand, it may not sound different either way. As with everything, experimentation is necessary to determine your system needs.
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 8:09 PM Post #8 of 10
music alchemist said:
   
Looks like your goal here is to use the DAC to circumvent double amping. I understand that the E12A is for IEMs. There could be output impedance complications to deal with there. With some laptops, it may be an issue, but on the other hand, it may not sound different either way. As with everything, experimentation is necessary to determine your system needs.
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Yes exactly, I am just looking for the best cheap solution because I want to invest most my money into the amp. I might head back over to the portable forum and see if anyone can test for output impedance issues. I was going to use the E12A with IEMs as well as Soundmagic HP150s and Fidelio X1s which shouldn't be an issue since they are not hard to drive. I am still searching for a more versatile portable option that could power planars and IEMs equally, maybe I should look into the C5...
 
music alchemist said:
  @mrmonday
 
This image I made awhile ago is a lot like your avatar.
 
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Hahahaha that is awesome. I made mine as a desktop background and was pretty lazy when looking for an avatar. I'm a big fan of yours, maybe I should switch mine to an anime girl, seems like the cool thing to do these days...
 
Jul 11, 2015 at 8:34 PM Post #9 of 10

 
Hahahaha that is awesome. I made mine as a desktop background and was pretty lazy when looking for an avatar.
Click to expand...

 
I didn't make it from scratch, of course. I'm not that good.
 
I'm a big fan of yours
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Wow, really? I had no idea. Anything in particular that you like? I make so many posts I wouldn't be able to guess how I caught your attention.
 
maybe I should switch mine to an anime girl, seems like the cool thing to do these days...
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Just be yourself.
normal_smile .gif
No need to use an anime girl if you're not already really into that type of thing.
 
Nov 25, 2016 at 10:54 PM Post #10 of 10
Anyone has a suggestion for a 100USD DAC that has its own power supply? Looking to pair with a Shanling M1 outputting through USB as a transport: http://www.shanling.com/Product/Detail?id=fe144c3b8eca414f9b1e0cdf0a135b38 Unfortunately the oft-quoted pairing with the Chord Mojo is too dear for me...
 
Thank you!
 
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