Anyone recommend me a Best DAC(price less $400) Please

[harrypower]

Title is just what I'm asking.

I need a great DAC subject to my budget. ($400)

I don't mind whether it is portable or not.

Just recommend your best DAC which cost less than $400 (well $450 is also available)

Thank you.

 

[aamefford]

I plan to purchase a MisterX built Gamma 2. It is under your max price a bit.

 

[hmalbrt]

I've been through a Lite DAC (TDA 1543 x 8) used in conjunction with a HagUSB, and then a DIY Paradise Monica 3 USB DAC, and was never completely satisfied. Two weeks ago, however, I gave the HRT Musicstreamer+ a try, and was completely blown away. It's a 100 bucks or so less than your stated budget and is an incredible value. All of the reviews of this little dynamo are correct - - it is far and away the greatest $300 bargain I've ever run into. The improvement in my computer set-up has been stunning and the little guy's probably not broken in as yet.

Harold Albert
Bangkok, Thailand

 

[harrypower]

how about Cambridge DAC magic?... I think I've heard about that from somewhere

 

[logwed]

$429, so unless he can find one discounted (TELL ME IF YOU DO!!!)

 

[vjarnot]

Really like my MF V-DAC

 

[oqvist]

DacMagic should be way cheaper I want to remember buying it for 300$ or less. It´s not stellar sound quality wise. About on par with an Elite Pro (soundcard). But if you have use of all it´´s connections it surely got a lot of them and I did really enjoy my Elite Pro.

My candidate is Keces 131 mk 2 but there is tons of dacs I haven´t heard. It´s in another league then the Dacmagic/elite Pro/essence ST/valab NOS DAC/.

Essence ST let you play around more with line out or headphone out but I tried that and different op amps and I always preferr my Keces for all my gear except the K701

 

[punkaroo]

I love my Devilsound NOS DAC. There's a new one out for exactly $399.

 

[proximo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjarnot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Really like my MF V-DAC

+1

 

[mrarroyo]

I would run to the for sale forum and pick the Oritek V4 that skullguise is selling. A very nice DAC which IMO sounded better than the Benchmark.

 

[Jalo]

Go to the for sale fourm and get a Headroom Ultra Micro Dac, should be able to get one for around $400.00. By the way, I have one forsale.

 

[AmanGeorge]

Srajan's review of the HRT Music Streamer+ is extremely impressive. It just became my latest impulse buy - look forward to reporting back how it sounds relative to my PS Audio DLIII - if 6moons is to be believed, this thing should be quite the giant killer...

 

[menchi]

The Pico USB DAC is a nice choice

Or the LittleDot DAC_I

The Keces 151 MkII looks nice as well

Or maybe even a iBasso D10/D4 in DAC only mode?

Some people like the E-MU 0404 USB as well.

Or even the upcoming NuForce Icon HDP.

I'm similar to the op, and am looking for a nice DAC to go with my fullsize headphone amp. I'm partial to the Wolfson WM8740 chipset since I've heard many good things about it, so I have been eying the Pico DAC, but I also like many output options... but upsampling is also an attractive factor...

It's been hard to decide...

 

[LingLing1337]

FWIR, the Oritek V4 that Arroyo mentioned would be a great choice, but I'd also look into the HRT MusicStreamer+, which got great critical review and a bit of buzz on the forums, but it seems to have dropped off everyone's radar now.

 

[AmanGeorge]

I hope it's worth me trying to start a buzz over again