[OutdoorXplorer]

I am in the midst of upgrading my audio rig and would like to include a DAC in between the path.

Current setup
iPod Classic - ALO Fidelity Dock - VdH D102 Hybrid MKIII - Woo Audio 6 SEM [stock tubes] - RS1 & HD650 [in transit]

Forthcoming setup
SlimDevices SB Classic - TosLink / Coaxial??? - DAC??? - VdH D102 Hybrid MKIII - Woo Audio 6 SEM - Double Helix Cable??? - HD650 [in transit]

I am currently contemplating to get hold of either KECES DA-131 MKII, Cambridge Audio DacMagic or Mhdt Paradisea+. Pardon me for being a newbie in the DAC arena.

I find TosLink connectivity is cheaper than Coaxial, wonder I will be sacrificing quality should I opt for it.

Looking forward to some friendly advise rather than burning my hard earned cash together with a DAC of the wrong choice.

 

[Stitch]

Some people say that there is a difference between coax and toslink but i havent heard it yet.
I prefer Coax just because it connection is fitting more snug.
A good recommendation for cables are the ones Blue Jeans Cable. Verry good build quality.
Blue Jeans Cable -- Broadcast-Quality Cables at Reasonable Prices

I got a Dacmagic last week and it sounds great. Defenitly a recommendation, although i have nothing to compare it to.
Another DAC to look at might be the Little Dot DAC_1. Its just released so it might be difficult to find some reviews/impressions about it
Viewing a thread - Little Dot DAC_I Digital to Analog Converter

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

I am looking at Keces Da-131 MKII for now. Not too sure about others within the same price range.

Appreciates more input.

 

[dannie01]

Hi OutdoorXplorer, I think you should take a look the Auio-GD website, they have plenty of models and some of them are highly recommended, very high C/P value. Also, you can take a look their REF 1 and the DAC 19MKIII.

Hope this help.

 

[jsaliga]

I bought a KECES DA 131.1 eight months ago and it quit on me today.

Don't know what's wrong with it but I get no lights and no sound. So that is that and I am back to using the analog outputs of my Squeezebox Duet. I was contemplating upgrading to a Transporter, and now it would seem that decision has more or less been made for me.

--Jerome

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Holy cow... I was expecting the DAC to work for years. Could it be just the fuse?

 

[ZoNtO]

I'd care to guess that's what you get with cheaper Chinese manufactured electronics for the most part....

Like the Zero and all the problems people had with them?

 

[jsaliga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OutdoorXplorer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Holy cow... I was expecting the DAC to work for years. Could it be just the fuse?

I thought of the fuse too and replaced it. No dice. The DAC is toast.

It's a shame too because I really liked its sound.

--Jerome

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsaliga /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought of the fuse too and replaced it. No dice. The DAC is toast. It's a shame too because I really liked its sound. --Jerome

Reach out to David and he may be able to assist.

 

[h.rav]

I have the Audio GD 19Mk3, it sounds pretty good, at least compared to my previous DAC, DACMagic.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

It looks like I am heading towards Paradisea3 now...

 

[1UP]

I heard the Paradisea and didn't think it was that special; your amp and phones could probably use a bit more resolution than it provides.

I also wouldn't rule out the Keces, and would add an Oritek-modded Zhalou to your shortlist.

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

So I am confused now Keces 131 MKII or Paradisea 3..

 

[1UP]

Read these:
This owner prefers the Keces to the DacMagic http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/kec...mk-2-a-408309/

And this one preferred the Paradisea to the Keces http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/keces-vs-mhdt-405424/

Remember the opamps can be rolled in the Keces, and there's a bit of a price difference here; I feel the Paradisea is somewhat overpriced, as it's in the ballpark a new PS Audio DLIII

 

[OutdoorXplorer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1UP /img/forum/go_quote.gif Read these: This owner prefers the Keces to the DacMagic http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/kec...mk-2-a-408309/ And this one preferred the Paradisea to the Keces http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/keces-vs-mhdt-405424/ Remember the opamps can be rolled in the Keces, and there's a bit of a price difference here; I feel the Paradisea is somewhat overpriced, as it's in the ballpark a new PS Audio DLIII

By virtue of these 2 comparisons, it makes me even

. Anyway Keces currently is ran out of parts for the Silver IEC upgrade and it gotta wait till June 26 for replenishment. I shall be able to wait and decide in the next couple of the days reading other feedbacks.