Best External DACs under $600, Used or New

[Hershon2000]

Rumatt mentioned that DACs are not necessarily better but have different characteristics. Can someone please clue me in on what these characteristics are? In my specific case, I'm looking for something hopefully cheaper used then the Musical Fidelity X-DAC V3 to connect to my Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer connected to my Pioner PD-59 CD player which has great transport but a lousy internal DAC. I play mainly 60/70's remastered rock & blues CDs. Thanks for any tips.

 

[Herandu]

Safe yourself the extra expense if it is sound quality you are after foremost, and just get a TC-7510 MKII. Runs rings around just about everything up to at least the U$500 range. At less than U$200 it's a steal, with loads of upgrade mods potentials.

 

[finbad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wouldn't bet on it. I sent him mail saying I'd take it when the listing had 6 views. I never heard back. I suspect he got higher offers.

QFT
I also quickly jumped on that offering early on @ 299... Never responded

Also, you'd be well advised in being skecptical of terms thrown around like "Blows the compitition outa the water' or "Night and Day" at this 500 price point and below as they will all have comparitive subtle strenths and shortcomings. As well as adding a DAC just in general... This is why personal listening is so often stressed in general and system matching is imperative in any matching of any one components strenths/shortcommings vs another. Especially so in terms of others recomendations, do consider their "System" as to what they are suggesting and improvements gained. They all are being honest as to what they hear, but these other variables MUST be the context of their opinions being understandable to the reader.

Best regards, and good luck~

 

[LeChuck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT /img/forum/go_quote.gif With a little stretch you can get DA100. http://www.hifi500.com/product/da100.htm

I'd put the DA100 around $800. It's $695 + $85 shipping + customs, so you're at least in for $780.

Still a great buy though.

 

[mrarroyo]

Musical Fidelity X-Dac V3 can be bought as a "demo" from Music Direct for $475 plus $7 for S&H. That is where I got mine less than two months ago.

 

[spraggih]

Not sure of your experience with DACs in this price range but if you have not heard a lot of the DACs in the price range I would recommend you buy new from stores (online/bricks & mortar) with generous return policies. Try them all out to determine which one you like best. I know Musicdirect, Pacific Valve and many others have good return policies - only loss would be shipping both ways.

 

[rumatt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spraggih /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not sure of your experience with DACs in this price range but if you have not heard a lot of the DACs in the price range I would recommend you buy new from stores (online/bricks & mortar) with generous return policies.

I'd say the opposite, actually.

I'd buy used off audiogon and resell the ones you don't like it.

 

[santacore]

MSB links are about the best I've found in the under $500 range. My old Link I has beat out every CD player that I've put it against(about 4-5). I just recently bought a Link III for my main system with the intention of using the Link I with my headphone rig. I'm not sure if that office setup is happen now but I would heartily recommend the DAC's. Look for them used on Audiogon for cheap. I might just sell my Link I if anyone's interested.

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd say the opposite, actually. I'd buy used off audiogon and resell the ones you don't like it.

Depends... It's the OP's call. Reselling has its own merits and risks - run up against a time when you need the cash and have to resell at a lost; ship to buyer but there are issues with the product; no warranty (typically warranties do not follow the reseller) and if you are just trying it out... Also you have to deal with all of the inquiries, Q&A when reselling.

But if there is a sense that older DACs are better (sound, build quality) and sell at a great discount then it's worth a shot.

 

[photobob]

I think that used Thetas are worth a lsten...very dynamic.
The used entry level models may have a price that will work for you.
Bob

 

[Konig]

storm digital D02. if u get a good unit it sounds good according to many people.

 

[003]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig /img/forum/go_quote.gif storm digital D02. if u get a good unit it sounds good according to many people.

LOL, except for that minor detail that Ken no longer produces them and all the people that previously ordered one he scammed.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif LOL, except for that minor detail that Ken no longer produces them and all the people that previously ordered one he scammed.

& the awful solder work.. Ken is a joke..

 

[Konig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice /img/forum/go_quote.gif & the awful solder work.. Ken is a joke..

Awok and quite alot of other ppl were raving about it during the height of the storm digital hype. Perhaps ken slacked off and cut corners in the latter production units. Just try to get an earlier unit and i guess u will be fine. And it might become a collectors item too =)

 

[22906]

check out the presonus central station for 500$ new