[themouse]

In a month I will receive a DarkStar amp to drive my new LDC-3. 4-pin XLR cable included in the box.
 
To start off I have two DACs I can choose between and I'm looking for some informed guidance.
 
One is a Headroom Ultra Desktop Amp with their Desktop Power Supply. I'm assuming it's great but it has only analogue RCA outputs.
 
The other is an Apogee Mini-DAC. It is a standalone DAC mostly for computer or recording studio use. It has a small standard power supply. It was discontinued though this link might prove otherwise. It has balanced outputs.
 
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/mini-dac.php
 
 
I might make the assumption that the Ultra with the separate power supply is superior in electronics and sound. But only the Apogee has balanced outputs. The DarkStar has balanced inputs and I think that is one of it's features.
 
Thoughts?

 

[Maxvla]

I'd go Apogee. Heard that DAC with a KGSS/SR-007 and it seemed to do a great job.

 

[musicman59]

I will go balanced. even that the Dark Star has a phase splitter you will not get it's full potential unless you go fully balanced.

 

[nikongod]

Why go half assed in the quest for quality sound when its so easy to do better? 
Hopefully the question answers yours. 

 

[themouse]

Tantalizing in its brevity.
 
What do you recommend?

 

[WilCox]

Use your ears and decide for yourself which is better. 
 
I've never heard the Headroom Ultra but I've had the Apogee for several years and find it to be a superb DAC and a good amp.  Don't be fooled by the small switching power supply.  The Apogee can deliver the goods.

 

[themouse]

Yes of course. I'm comparing them even now as both have headphone amps in them. It's difficult though. The Apogee has a brighter sound which I think is a better match for LCD-3. But the headphone amp is probably not as high quality as in the Ultra.
 
I thought it would be an interesting theoretical discussion I could learn from. A better DAC with only analogue out vs. a lesser quality DAC with balanced out going into an all balanced system. I've never had balanced components before.

 

[Thenarus]

I just got the Anedio D2 in with my Dark Star and LCD-3, and it sounds amazing.  I was running the DAC stage off the Burson HA-160D, and it did a good job, but the fine details, bass articulation and soundstage all got way better with the D2.  It's definitely one to consider.  The forthcoming Woo DAC and Schiit statement are also interesting possibilities for your needs, depending on how long you're willing to wait.

 

[dyl1dyl]

Quote:

I just got the Anedio D2 in with my Dark Star and LCD-3, and it sounds amazing.  I was running the DAC stage off the Burson HA-160D, and it did a good job, but the fine details, bass articulation and soundstage all got way better with the D2.  It's definitely one to consider.  The forthcoming Woo DAC and Schiit statement are also interesting possibilities for your needs, depending on how long you're willing to wait.

Haha, especially the Schiit Statement. The Woo looks like a great match with the Transport but on paper, doesn't seem to offer anything particularly unique. Implementation should be good though. The Schiit on the other hand is being marketed by Schiit and confirmed by some who have heard the prototypes as superior to well regarded DACs costing north of 5k.
 

 

[knopi]

Quote:

 
...Schiit and confirmed by some who have heard the prototypes as superior to well regarded DACs costing north of 5k.
 

Sorry

 but this is really bad example.  
 

 

[Shubar]

There seems to be a lot of Schiit fanboism floating around on HeadFi. While I have much respect for Schiit (owning/owned Lyr/Bifrost), I'm quite sceptical of people touting the Statements being superior to components many times their cost (especially when they are not out yet - many a months away). Mind you, this scepticism is not directed at Schiit's ability to make greatamps/dac but at the people touting such information.
 
In reality, how many people actually own or have heard extensively the high end components (not in meet conditions) the Schiit Statement are being compared to. Only a handful.
 
So unless those people do the comparisons, I'll be pretty much ignoring everything else...
 
Quote:

Haha, especially the Schiit Statement. The Woo looks like a great match with the Transport but on paper, doesn't seem to offer anything particularly unique. Implementation should be good though. The Schiit on the other hand is being marketed by Schiit and confirmed by some who have heard the prototypes as superior to well regarded DACs costing north of 5k.
 

 

 

[Pars]

Strange thread to bring up fanboism in :rofl:

 

[pabbi1]

FIFY: Strange forum to bring up fanboism in :rofl:
 
Sweet irony... facing the DAC dilemna myself, but looking at PS Audio Perfect Wave.