[Hajime]

Hello there. Recently I've gotten a new source - the Pioneer DV-563A - and I've been looking around for a DAC to go along with it. I'm looking to spend around $200 at the most and buying used is fine with me. I would appreciate any reccomendations.

The two DACs that seem to be most reccomended in this price range are the MSB Link II and the ART DI/O. The general consensus is that the DI/O is a good deal better than the MSB. However, the DI/O only has coaxial inputs so I wouldn't be able to use the optical output of my DVD player. Also, it only has a 1/4th output which means I'd need to buy all new cabling. Is it really worth that?

One thing I'm confused about is using the DAC with the two non-redbook formats (DVD-A and SACD). Will the DAC just act as a passive interconnect when I use them or will it unsample them along with redbook? Thanks ahead for any help anyone gives.

 

[lan]

DVD-A and SACD aren't passed in the digital out so you can't use DACs with them but are decoded inside the players themselves.

If you want to go DI/O route, uou'd need optical -> coax convertor (M-Audio CO2 is about 50) and 1/4 mono -> RCA adaptors if you don't want new cables. Add a Stancor powersupply to enhance the sound. There's somebody in forsale/trade forum selling one still I think. All that should be under 200. This is a flexible route for upgrading.