[shard]

Posting a new thread because I do not want to derail the other one.

Someone mentioned connecting a soundcard from a PC to an external DAC. I was wondering if people can recommend some DACs that I can check out.

 

[Harrath]

I recently heard a Bel Canto DAC2 and fell in love with it. It has a beautiful sound, but it'll also set you back about $1400.

 

[dsavitsk]

An old Cal Sigma (w/ a decent tube) will cost you way less ($250-300), and will eak out about as much as an inexpensive sound card can give.

-d

 

[Wodgy]

If you're looking to spend less money than the (great) Bel Canto DAC2, consider AOS' Piccolo DAC.

 

[Permonic]

Well, I am in search for a decent DAC nowadays, here're links to some of them (in alphabetical order):

Ack Industries dAck!:
http://www.ack-industries.com/complete.html

AOS Electronics Piccolo:
http://www.aoselectronics.com/piccolo.html

AOS Electronics Sostenuto-1:
http://www.aoselectronics.com/sostenuto.html

Art DI/O Modifications (smART DI/O):
http://www.boldercables.com/Store.as...26+Accessories

Art DI/O Modifications (MENSA DI/O):
http://www.boldercables.com/Store.as...26+Accessories

(Note: several Head-Fi members (Andrzejpw, MisterX (??)) offer different mods of Art DI/O as well).

Bel Canto DAC2:
http://www.belcantodesign.com/prod_dac2.html

Benchmark DAC1:
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/

Channel Islands Audio VDA-1 (with VAC-3 Power Supply):
http://www.ciaudio.com/

MSB Link DAC III:
http://www.msbtech.com/msb_home.htm

Perreaux DAC (upcomping, no info yet):
http://www.perreaux.com/

Scott Nixon TubeDac+:
http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm

 

[fewtch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permonic Well, I am in search for a decent DAC nowadays, here're links to some of them (in alphabetical order): Ack Industries dAck!: http://www.ack-industries.com/complete.html [/url]

I vote the above as one of the most annoyingly-named audio products (only the "Ah! Njoe Tjoeb" comes close

).

 

[shard]

Thanks for all the suggestions and links.

 

[ooheadsoo]

How is the piccolo compared to a modded art dio or the recent EMU offerings?

 

[shard]

I had the pleasure to hear the Musical Fidelity A3 24 DAC yesterday and I like it alot.

While going through the documentation, I noticed that it is stated that the DAC will take audio streams from CDs, SACDs and DVDAs but not MP3s.

1. What does that mean? Does it mean that it will not work when I connect it to the digital output of my PC sound card when I am playing back MP3s and will only work if I use it for CD and DVDA playback?

2. If it will not take a MP3 feed from my soundcard, is that normal for DACs?

3. If its not normal, what DACs will take a MP3 feed from a soundcard?

4. What is a good transport available today?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I think what it means is that it can't decode an mp3 file into a analog audio stream, however if you were to decode the mp3 with a computer or CDP, and feed the SPDIF output into the DAC it will make sound just as if it was a CD or a WAV file. As long as you give the DAC the right kind of signal, it can't tell what kind of file that signal originally came from.

 

[shard]

Thanks for the quick reply. What you said makes alot of sense.

Anyone know how the MF A3 24 compares to the other DACs out there? I was going to listen to the Bel Canto DAC2 as well but unfortunately the local distributor went out of business.

So, whats a good transport?

Thanks in advance

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shard So, whats a good transport? Thanks in advance

You could likely get very good mileage out of the $25 Chantech AV-710, which would allow you to spend more on the DAC. The last few percent could be had by getting a pro card like the EMU, RME, Lynx, DAL, etc.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtch I vote the above as one of the most annoyingly-named audio products (only the "Ah! Njoe Tjoeb" comes close ).

Yeah, does Ack Dack have any inspiration from Bloom County?

-Ed

 

[Ticky]

I just bought a modded CI-Audio VDA-1 + VAC-1 power supply from one Head-Fi member. It should come in late next week.

Hopefully, in another week - after finals are done

- I should be able to tell you what I think of it.

Can't wait.

 

[Kenny12]

what does a dac do exactly? also what sound cared /player would you need to use it? is it just taking the output sound and changing its audio characteristics? or is it something else?