[Harold the Ironmonger]

I'm clueless here and have bad experiences blind-buying equipment in the past, so I'd love it if someone more informed than myself could make a recommendation or two. I'm not looking for great audio quality, I just broke my laptop's 3.5mm jack and need a decent replacement. So I need a small, simple, and most importantly inexpensive external DAC.

What are my options here? My thanks to anyone who helps out, I appreciate it.

 

[nth]

Your definition of cheap may vary, but if size is important have a look at the HeadAmp Pico DAC (Site, Thread). It's available in DAC-only, and also DAC+Amp if you would prefer an all-in-one device for portable use.

 

[CTechKid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold the Ironmonger /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm clueless here and have bad experiences blind-buying equipment in the past, so I'd love it if someone more informed than myself could make a recommendation or two. I'm not looking for great audio quality, I just broke my laptop's 3.5mm jack and need a decent replacement. So I need a small, simple, and most importantly inexpensive external DAC. What are my options here? My thanks to anyone who helps out, I appreciate it.

HOTUSB2 LOW-COST USB DAC HEADPHONE AMP [HOTUSB2] - $49.00 : HotAudio.Com, Hand Made Audio Perfection!

or if you want something with a little more jam and an external volume knob:

BIT PERFECT USB DAC [BIT PERFECT USB DAC] - $79.00 : HotAudio.Com, Hand Made Audio Perfection!

 

[JamesL]

Cheaper, more mainstream solutions if you don't want to get sucked into a expensive hobby - $30, $1.50

 

[Drubbing]

The Hot Audio stuff is an honest product for the price, just don't get sucked into the seller's hyperbole.

 

[Henry Flower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your definition of cheap may vary, but if size is important have a look at the HeadAmp Pico DAC (Site, Thread). It's available in DAC-only, and also DAC+Amp if you would prefer an all-in-one device for portable use.

A 300 dollar DAC is not a very helpful recommendation here. More realistic would be the Alien or Gamma 1, both of which can be found for around 70-100 dollars in the FS forum.

 

[specto]

Get a bantam dac if you want to diy, they're really small and just as good as the alien dac.

 

[Kobra]

For $99 I'll give you:

NuForce Icon Mobile. Read Larry's really good review of it here (post #2) and the 6moons.com review here

 

[tea-head]

SuperPro USB DAC 707...from ALO its $120...

Google and download ASIO4ALL...

Enjoy.

t

 

[helios]

The Hotaudio is certainly a very good DAC for under $100. Check on Ebay you may get a better price.