[marone]

Looking for a DAC recommendation up to $300 USD for use with a PC USB input.

TIA!

 

[manbear]

How about the actual ODAC? Judging from your thread title and your signature, it seems like there is a bit of confusion about terminology -- "ODAC" is a specific model of DAC, designed by nwavguy and made by a few different companies such as JDS Labs and Mayfair Electronics. It's not a synonym for "DAC." 

 

[billybob_jcv]

Also, there are no tube (valve) DACs. The DAC portion is always solid state. The preamp/amp portion can be tubes and there are combination DAC/Amps that use tubes for the amp portion (like the Aune T1 and the Woo WA7).

If what you are looking for is a DAC/Amp combo, the Schiit Magni+Modi stack ($200) is solid state or the Magni+Vali ($220) is tube and both are well under your budget. There are many other choices - the aforementioned O2+ODAC combo is $280 from JDS Labs and the C5D is $249 and capable of also going portable. Another nice portable is the Leckerton UHA-62 Mk II for $279. There are many, many other nice options in this price range.

 

[marone]

How about the actual ODAC? Judging from your thread title and your signature, it seems like there is a bit of confusion about terminology -- "ODAC" is a specific model of DAC, designed by nwavguy and made by a few different companies such as JDS Labs and Mayfair Electronics. It's not a synonym for "DAC." 

To clarify, I am seeking a $300 DAC with either a valve or solid state output stage to feed my amp.

 

[manbear]

A lot of people like the ODAC. It can be had in combination with O2 amp as billybob mentioned, or by itself. By itself, it's around half of your target price... IDK if you are trying to spend close to $300 or if that is just the limit.

You might be able to find a used Bifrost with USB for around $300. There is also the Maverick Tubemagic D1 for $199. The Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 is $389. 

 

[marone]

That's just the upper limit, 1800 CNY, that's ~$300USD.

Thanks for the suggestions one and all, will look into them...