[aphinity]

Can anyone recommend better alternatives to the DacMagic Plus to drive headphones and monitors and be connected to a mac computer?  Something that might be a better value?  I'm willing to spend in the ball park of $500 - $600.
 
Options I've identified so far are:
 
 

1. Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11
2. Nuforce Icon HDP
3. Yulong D100 MKII
4. Matrix Mini i 24 192
5. Apogee Duet
6. Audiolab M-DAC (if I decide to splurge)

 
Thanks.

 

[Ramthrax]

The Apogee Duet 2 is awesome. I use it daily.

 

[brunk]

Audio-GD NFB 17.2 $439 + $60 shipping = ~$500
can get added to the list.
 
If you are considering a small increase to $700, the Yulong D18 is incredibly tough to beat for pure sound quality. It may very well be the best DAC under $1k (and over a bit too!) actually. Bottom line - If you want "value" whether it be flexibility or pure sound quality, ChiFi is the way to go.

 

[Currawong]

If it has to drive headphones, wouldn't the NFB 10.1 be a better idea?

 

[brunk]

Quote:

If it has to drive headphones, wouldn't the NFB 10.1 be a better idea?

Good point I glanced over the "headphone" part in the post and was focused on just the title in general. That said, if I was the OP, I would look at the owner threads of the items on his list and see which ones have the most glowing feedback and least amount of issues. If I was to guess, the Yulong D100 MKII would be the champion in this $500-600 DAC/Amp category.

 

[grokit]

The Mini-i is a great unit but the USB input is best avoided.

 

[colinharding]

Jolida FX-Tube DAC, around 400 USD.  Uses two 12ax7 tubes with a capacitor output.  Very easy to change those caps if you really want to modify the sound as well, not to mention the tubes.  Has USB, Optical, COAX.