[blargman]

I had to ask. as i am really curious. not just because i wanted to be silly with my thread title

 

[soloz2]

what was wrong w/ the thread right below yours?
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=196601

 

[dkjohnso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2 what was wrong w/ the thread right below yours? http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=196601

Unless I am mistaken, this poster wants info about USB DACs, while the thread you linked to was about NON USB DACs.

The Silverstone EB01 has gotten good reviews, for well under $100.

 

[soloz2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkjohnso Unless I am mistaken, this poster wants info about USB DACs, while the thread you linked to was about NON USB DACs. The Silverstone EB01 has gotten good reviews, for well under $100.

you're right... my bad :/

 

[Scotty757]

I've got a Fubar that I enjoy greatly.

 

[utarch00]

Try an Alien USB DAC. I personally do not have any experience with it yet, but I am going to get one soon. Ask some one to build it for you or build it yourself.

 

[wnewport]

My Number Cruncher is a solid performer. I have absolutly nothing to compare it to, but it is better than the AV710, enough so that I don't regret the 50 dollars I spent on it.

The alien looks promising too.

 

[drizek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnewport My Number Cruncher is a solid performer. I have absolutly nothing to compare it to, but it is better than the AV710, enough so that I don't regret the 50 dollars I spent on it. The alien looks promising too.

the number cruncher looks interesting. I think i might buy it. How does it compare for example to the silverstone? Can you run headphones off of it or is an amp needed?

 

[Disiskurt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drizek the number cruncher looks interesting. I think i might buy it. How does it compare for example to the silverstone? Can you run headphones off of it or is an amp needed?

You need an amp, and it is not a USB DAC.

 

[drizek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disiskurt You need an amp, and it is not a USB DAC.

Ya, i just saw that. I was thinking about getting the turtlebeach micro so i might just do that instead for now, and then when i want to get a DAC i can just hook it up to the TBs spdif. That way i dont have to carry an amp and dac around with me when i just want to do some casual listening on my laptop.

This might be a good solution for the OP as well since together they cost 75 dollars(i guess you can swap out the tb for the chaintech too if you dont want a USB card) and it seems like this is a pretty high quality DAC. The msrp was 300 dollars and the reviews of it seem pretty good.

One question though, digital is digital, right? I wont see any difference in sound quality between the digital outs of two different sound cards right?

 

[MASantos]

I would second the recomendation for the Alien DAC. It is a great little performer.

 

[blargman]

i'm surprised nobody mention any m-audio products :\

i remember not 2 or so years ago, everyone was dying waiting for the envy24 chipset their *new, now old* cards were going to be using

the entech looks pro, but i'd need to still get something to output to it. the computer i use only has a minijack output from the onboard soundcard and i can't open the computer. it's a work pc

and its padlocked! lol

anyone sell these alien DAC's? two fried xbox's later, i've retired my soldering iron. hah, i'm dangerous with a soldering iron

just to make it more clear. i'll probably pair this dac with a tube amp of some sort to go with grado sr225's and perhaps a ATH-w5000

 

[blargman]

I think I might go with the HPDAC. I am planning on pairing it probably with a Darth Beyer and/or an AKG k701, gosh or maybe an RS-1. Most likely the Darth Beyer first.

 

[gen G]

Using the FubarII with the stock RCA cable - incredible SQ for a $100. I actually bought it on impulse - for temp use till I find a suitable DAC or CDP, so was pleasantly surprised.

I drive it thru a Cayin tube head amp though, so that may have made it smoother.