HtdHvy
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2005
- Posts
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I need some advice for a DAC purchase.
The 7 I’m considering are:
Lavry DA10
Benchmark DAC1
Apogee Mini DAC
Stello DA100 Signature
PS Audio Digital Link III
Grace m902B
Bel Canto DAC3
Before you ask, I have used the search feature and I have already read many of the reviews on this forum including Iron_Dreamer’s DAC-Amp battle. Excellent write up.
How I’m using it:
Mainly for playing Apple Lossless files (16bit/44.1KHz CD rips & 24bit/96KHz DVD-A rips) from an AppleTV, the Optical output of my Macbook Pro or the coax digital output of my PC. I’ll also be using it with my CD players from time to time.
Ok so what im looking for:
1. Cleanest sounding most versatile DAC which can be used in a variety of systems. I’ll be using this with my headphones as well as my reference stereo system. Essentially I don’t want something that only sounds awesome with a particular amp/head phone combo.
2. XLR Outputs. (I’ll be using these with my stereo system, and using the unbalanced with my headphone amps)
3. Super low to non-existent jitter. I know the DAC1 re-clocks the incoming stream to eliminate jitter. Do any of the other DACs do this or something similar? How do they compare against each other with regards to jitter?
I would like, but not a must have:
24bit/192KHz input (I know the DAC1 and m902B have this and the DA10 and DA100S do not). I would like this feature just so the unit is future proof incase an SACD/DVD-A successor arises and offers high resolution output over coax/optical. I know, probably wont happen.
What I have no use for:
1. Built-in Headphone Amp (its not a negative for sure, but I already have a few)
2. Preamp capabilities (I understand the Lavry has this and again I don’t need it)
Any thoughts?
I know Iron_Dreamer compared most of these and concluded that they were about equal. He had the DA10, Mini DAC, DAC1 all tying with the DA100 being just below the rest. I’m wondering if the added balanced output on the DA100 Signature will move it up to the top tier. Also I’m wondering how the Digital Link III fares against all the rest. I read Edwood’s comparison of the m902, DAC1, DAC-2 but I have not seen any comparisons with the m902B (the balanced version of the m902).
Sorry for the lengthy intro. Thanks in advance!
The 7 I’m considering are:
Lavry DA10
Benchmark DAC1
Apogee Mini DAC
Stello DA100 Signature
PS Audio Digital Link III
Grace m902B
Bel Canto DAC3
Before you ask, I have used the search feature and I have already read many of the reviews on this forum including Iron_Dreamer’s DAC-Amp battle. Excellent write up.
How I’m using it:
Mainly for playing Apple Lossless files (16bit/44.1KHz CD rips & 24bit/96KHz DVD-A rips) from an AppleTV, the Optical output of my Macbook Pro or the coax digital output of my PC. I’ll also be using it with my CD players from time to time.
Ok so what im looking for:
1. Cleanest sounding most versatile DAC which can be used in a variety of systems. I’ll be using this with my headphones as well as my reference stereo system. Essentially I don’t want something that only sounds awesome with a particular amp/head phone combo.
2. XLR Outputs. (I’ll be using these with my stereo system, and using the unbalanced with my headphone amps)
3. Super low to non-existent jitter. I know the DAC1 re-clocks the incoming stream to eliminate jitter. Do any of the other DACs do this or something similar? How do they compare against each other with regards to jitter?
I would like, but not a must have:
24bit/192KHz input (I know the DAC1 and m902B have this and the DA10 and DA100S do not). I would like this feature just so the unit is future proof incase an SACD/DVD-A successor arises and offers high resolution output over coax/optical. I know, probably wont happen.
What I have no use for:
1. Built-in Headphone Amp (its not a negative for sure, but I already have a few)
2. Preamp capabilities (I understand the Lavry has this and again I don’t need it)
Any thoughts?
I know Iron_Dreamer compared most of these and concluded that they were about equal. He had the DA10, Mini DAC, DAC1 all tying with the DA100 being just below the rest. I’m wondering if the added balanced output on the DA100 Signature will move it up to the top tier. Also I’m wondering how the Digital Link III fares against all the rest. I read Edwood’s comparison of the m902, DAC1, DAC-2 but I have not seen any comparisons with the m902B (the balanced version of the m902).
Sorry for the lengthy intro. Thanks in advance!