[TheRH]

I was wondering what is that best USB DAC for $100 or less?

Thanks

 

[infinitesymphony]

There aren't many options for under $100. You might consider a sound card instead, if that's a possibility.

Check out the All the DACs Money Can Buy thread for your choices.

 

[milkweg]

Spend a bit more and get EMU0404 USB and use as DAC instead of external soundcard. That's the best you will probably get for the buck.

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkweg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Spend a bit more and get EMU0404 USB and use as DAC instead of external soundcard. That's the best you will probably get for the buck.

yup.. and i compared them to the apogee mini dac ($1200) as a standalone dac and i preferred the emu0404 usb.

 

[facelvega]

how about a super pro 707 USB, $109 from Obad imports. That's what I got.

 

[jh4db536]

Super Pro is pretty good.

another even cheaper option is the Edirol/Roland UA1EX. USB, very quiet even on laptop or computer AC power (quieter than the Superpro), driver or non driver mode (must for 24bit DAC otherwise 16bit), works with ASIO or Kernel stream. Okay with the edirol, you can connect your headphones or IEMS directly to it via the 3.5mm jack. It also has a gold plated RCA lineout if you have IC's and a an external amp. If you get a DAC1, Lavry, or ZeroDAC then it also has mini optical (if your laptop doesnt have SPDIF outputs). I use this with my laptop setup. It does so many things and does everything pretty well.

 

[fatman711]

what about an Alien dac from Masantos?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatman711 /img/forum/go_quote.gif what about an Alien dac from Masantos?

Not sure if there are any more of those available, but creating a DIY Alien DAC is an option if the boards are still available.

 

[milkweg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh4db536 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I never tried the EMU but this seems like a good alternative for $75.

Where do you see EMU0404 USB for $75.00? Most places sell them for $200.00. Maybe you are looking at EMU0202?

 

[Caribou679]

Hi!
I wanted a DAC for a portable rig and my first consideration was that I did not new much about DAC. Except that it enhances digital sound from a laptop.
And their is ALOT of choice if you search a little.

My main use was to be with/from a portable set-up that needed to be light and compact .

And I did not want to spend alot of money$$, as I had no experience with the DACs and I prefered to experience, starting low on the ladder of "upgraditism".

So I got this: USB DAC Cable for Headphone Amplifier Amp cMoy Chu Moy
from

USB DAC Cable for Headphone Amplifier Amp cMoy Chu Moy - (eBay.ca item 320194388534 end time 09-Jan-08 00:10:22 EST)

This is definitively starting on the lower rungs, but this thing works great. Even 16 bits is much better than the cheap sound coming out from the laptop I used.

I plug it into my headphone amp and it does the job.

the only config I had to do was on a Linux OS, I had to configure the Amarock Music Player to use the DAC.

So if I want to upgrade I have something to which I can refer.

regards,

 

[TheRH]

I'm willing to get a kit, and long as it can include that parts for the DAC.

 

[Caribou679]

Well I think if you have questions regarding the USB DAC Cable you should contact the seller directly!

regards,

 

[sygyzy]

I got the DAC Super Pro. Does anyone know if it can do Kernel Streaming? Or if any USB DAC can for that matter?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Virtually all computer audio devices are capable of using Kernel Streaming, so yes.

 

[sygyzy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Virtually all computer audio devices are capable of using Kernel Streaming, so yes.

Hi,

In Foobar I receive an error that it cannot open the device, when I choose USB Audio Device Kernel Streaming. Any tricks I should know about?