DAC Suggestions with XLR Outputs and a Headphone AMP?

[Moogs]

Hello,
 
I am coming from a Schitt BiFrost and Asgard 2 DAC/AMP setup but need XLR outputs so am looking around. Overall I'm a newb with higher end audio. I currently have a set of KEF X300a speakers that I swapped out with ADAM A7X and the Sub8. I am simply an audiophile lossless listener and that's about it. I currently have an Emotiva Stealth DC-1 DAC but am having an issue so I may return it. If I do can anyone suggest a DAC that can do the following:
 
1. Has XLR outputs
2. Inputs can be Optical/USB
3. Headphone amp
4. Good for the desktop environment
5. Low profile like the Emotiva or BiFrost units
6. Budget say around $600
 
The only other issue I have with the Emotiva is that I can't keep the headphones plugged in and simply switch the output. It overrides everything. I have to plug it in, unplug it for monitors, plug it back in etc. etc.. Not a huge deal but slightly annoying.
 
Thanks!

 

[Moogs]

Well my budget kind of like The Bay Bridge project, is blown. I'm going to give the Oppo HA-1 a go. Looks like a great unit.

 

[obobskivich]

TEAC makes a couple of boxes that do what you want - some newer ones even do DSD over USB. UD-H01 is the "original" (runs around $400 last I knew), and sounds like it fits your requests to a T.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

The best place to look for what you want is from the pro and semi pro audio suppliers.
 
For less than your budget you can get something really excellent. Start by having a look at audio interfaces such as.
 
Focusrite Scarlet 6i6, Native Instruments audio 6 or either the MOTU microbook or MOTU Audio Express.
 
For a little bit more and closer to your budget you can get a fully featured monitor controller. Such as
 
Audient iD14 or iD22 or the SPL Crimson.
 
For a little more you can also get probably the best option a RME Babyface Pro.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
1. Has XLR outputs
2. Inputs can be Optical/USB
3. Headphone amp
4. Good for the desktop environment
5. Low profile like the Emotiva or BiFrost units
6. Budget say around $600
 
The only other issue I have with the Emotiva is that I can't keep the headphones plugged in and simply switch the output. It overrides everything. I have to plug it in, unplug it for monitors, plug it back in etc. etc.. Not a huge deal but slightly annoying.

 
AudioGD NFB-28 - http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB282015/NFB282015EN_Specs.htm
 
XLR preamp output and has a switch on the front labelled "DAC/HP," so I suppose that determines front panel HPoutput and rear panel DAC/Pre outputs just like on the later NFB-11 and NFB-15.

 

[obobskivich]

RonaldDumsfeld makes a good point on pro gear - another example that came to mind from that would be the PreSonus Central Station.

 

[Moogs]

Wow a lot of solid suggestions. Thank you all. I already ordered the Oppo and it should be "hear" today so I guess we'll see how it goes. I'll do some research on that you guys said as well.

 

[earfonia]

For the budget, I suggest to look for high-end second hand DAC. If you can stretch your budget, the Yulong DA8II I reviewed recently, sounds really good and worth the money. Otherwise, Fostex and TEAC made good DACs in the range of your budget, though those with XLR outputs usually cost more.