DACs listed Best to Worst

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim D Making these lists, assumptions, and parroting advice tends to reduce the overall S/N ratio of the forums. I don't consider it a great help to newbies, because it makes it harder for them to find the *original* source of reviews and impressions if all they end up reading instead are "I heard from so and so that so and so is better". Now compiling lists/links to original sources and impressions might be useful. If I wanted to search for reviews and impressions or even lists, I surely wouldn't want to pull up second hand or hypothetical info based on what they read. Its just added noise.

honestly, the most helpful thing to say to a searching newbie is to say "use the search function!" it's true! and check the meet threads, and this subforum for DAC talk. this reminds me of the US News and World Report on colleges - it ain't the final word, but folks might take it as such. i hope not!

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoptygma According to Jahn's list and comments, I should be so lucky as to afford an Apogee, but that's not going to happen until they get old on the used market.

And actually the DAC in Headroom's new Blockhead (i forgot the name, it isn't out yet, it was only at the Meets) and in that monster Wadia were amazing and probably kick the Apogee's butt, but I didn't include them because they were a bit too far removed from the "what DAC should I get" discussion hehe.

 

[Apoptygma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn And actually the DAC in Headroom's new Blockhead (i forgot the name, it isn't out yet, it was only at the Meets) and in that monster Wadia were amazing and probably kick the Apogee's butt, but I didn't include them because they were a bit too far removed from the "what DAC should I get" discussion hehe.

Easy on the Apogee's butt now; when seasoned head-fi'ers say 'monster', I know it's not for my wallet. I'll probably start out with a MicroDAC anyway. Used, probably.

 

[SunByrne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn And actually the DAC in Headroom's new Blockhead (i forgot the name, it isn't out yet, it was only at the Meets) and in that monster Wadia were amazing and probably kick the Apogee's butt, but I didn't include them because they were a bit too far removed from the "what DAC should I get" discussion hehe.

Maybe not. You can get the same DAC (that would be the Max DAC) in a Desktop amp as a $400 add-on. The not-quite-as-good-but-still-excellent Home DAC is a $300 add-on. Even as part of a $600 amp, that's still not out of the Benchmark/Apogee price range.

 

[Apoptygma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim D Making these lists, assumptions, and parroting advice tends to reduce the overall S/N ratio of the forums. I don't consider it a great help to newbies, because it makes it harder for them to find the *original* source of reviews and impressions if all they end up reading instead are "I heard from so and so that so and so is better". Now compiling lists/links to the actual original sources and impressions might be useful. If I wanted to search for reviews and impressions or even lists, I surely wouldn't want to pull up second hand or hypothetical info based on what they read. Its just added noise IMO. Otherwise you create an imaginary consensus based upon what someone ends up reading from just a few individuals.

I certainly find them more useful than disturbing as a noob starting point: I would have spent time just sifting through search hits to round up the usual suspects; now at least I've got their names.

 

[Tim D]

Most likely the best solution would to have a Sticky DAC Submission list like we have for amps.

 

[Apoptygma]

A good idea, I think. That's the first thing I was looking for in the source forums.

Edit: More list material:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephas I am also looking for an external DAC for my system. This is my list of candidates so far; these are estimated purchase prices for me in Taiwan, you may be able to find lower prices. Fubar II USB DAC US$94 http://www.firestone.idv.tw/ Spitfire DAC US$188 http://www.firestone.idv.tw/ MHDT Lab Digital Dialogue II US$180 ebay MHDT Lab Digital Renaissance 3.1 US$312 ebay Xindak DAC-3 US$270 http://www.coemaudio.com/ HeadRoom MicroDAC US$299 Channel Islands VDA-1 & VAC-1 US$500 MITE DAC-24 US$430 http://tw.f3.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/a...aucview=search POINT P-Type Pro 2000 http://tw.f2.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/a...aucview=search iwdiy.com or DIYClub.biz DAC-68 US$575 http://www.iwdiy.com/xoops2/ & http://eshop.diyclub.biz/ Benchmark DAC1 US$975 Bel Canto DAC2 US$1120 Apogee Mini-DAC with USB $1200 April Music Stello DA220 US$1295 Lavry Blue LE4496 2ch DA US$1500

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikechai Thanks for the compilation. Some more... TwinDAC+ USB DAC - US$2k Wavelength Audio Brick tubedac - US$1750 Wavelength Audio Cosecant - US$3500

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim D Most likely the best solution would to have a Sticky DAC Submission list like we have for amps.

Hey great idea, and the person posting that DAC in that sticky can be helpful and link DAC reviews in their post of that particular DAC from head-fi or even elsewhere.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunByrne Maybe not. You can get the same DAC (that would be the Max DAC) in a Desktop amp as a $400 add-on. The not-quite-as-good-but-still-excellent Home DAC is a $300 add-on. Even as part of a $600 amp, that's still not out of the Benchmark/Apogee price range.

that's a great observation - hey, if that DAC is up to snuff to run with the wadia when it's paired with that beastly headroom Max amp, then it should be a fine DAC in a small unit like the Desktop!

 

[chrisfromalbany]

I will comment that part of the reason I started this thread was there was a lack of DACs listed in one posting. Doing searches is fine. Only If you know what you looking for.

When I started looking for DACs, I wasted quite a bit of time just trying to find out what DACs were out there and at what price range. When I started this thread I didn't think my choices were important but was interested in hearing what other people more experienced then myself though.

I disagree that this is noise; only from the standpoint when I started my search I could have used a thread like this. I didn’t have a list of DACs that were being used. Even if it is a partial listing. I just found the “source forums” to be weaker then the headphone or amp forums.

I am more then willing to help out on getting a sticky together with information.

 

[SunByrne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn that's a great observation - hey, if that DAC is up to snuff to run with the wadia when it's paired with that beastly headroom Max amp, then it should be a fine DAC in a small unit like the Desktop!

Exactly. At the meet here, Tyll had a Desktop amp with the Home DAC in it, and I did a lot of A/B'ing vs. the Meridian 588. While I could tell the difference (blind), the difference was very small, and given the price (especially relative to buying a Meridian CDP!), well, you can see the results in my sig...

 

[mikechai]

One more

The Lavry Black has just been released!

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/7268/0

 

[ColStripe]

X-DACV3 Digital-to-Analog Convertor http://www.musicalfidelity.com/mf/en...s/SmallX/SXDAC

 

[bg4533]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn wow i wish i could do a list like this, but usually i'm stuck just with an A/B comparo at the most. i can tell you what sounds different/better than what, but not for a full 10+ list! Edit- oh alrighty i'll give it a try but this is with a BIG boulder of salt, ok? I've heard all of these, some are based on owning, others on meet impressions, so the list may not be all that fair. And I use Grados. Except when I used Darth Beyers. 1) Apogee Mini-DAC 2) Scott Nixon Tube Dac+ (This and the MiniDAC just hit the right spot for me in terms of warmth and presence and everything.) 3)Benchmark DAC-1 (Technically great, but a bit bright.) 4)Lite DAC-AH (I'm just guessing it should go here - sounds great but never compared it directly to the top 3) 5) Modded 0404 (my old standby, this is the "control" DAC that drives my purchase tolerances hehe) 6) Modded Toshiba 3960 (just a smidge rounder sounding than the modded 0404.) 7) Channel Islands VDA-1 + VAC-1 (if it can make my DT770 sound delicate, it's doing something right!) 8) Headroom MicroDAC (actually probably a tie for #7 what with all the options with it. Have to give this a longer listen. I really liked the Overture DAC too, would put it here) 9) 0404m/1212m (a tie because i like the 0404 energy, but the 1212 IS more accurate) 10)Turtle Audio USB thingy (hey with the HD201 it sounded good, with the KSC-35 even better! thanks for the tip Oski!) 11) M-audio Sonica USB modded (great laptop external card) 12) ipod 3G (portable? does the trick!) 130000) Soundblaster LIVE! (YUK!)

I am glad to see you rating the DAC-AH so high. I expected the Channel Islands DAC to be clearly better. I think my modded DAC-AH is significantly better than stock so I wonder how it compares to more expensive DACs. Your opinions have kept me from loosing sanity and purchasing a Bel Canto DAC2 or something.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bg4533 I am glad to see you rating the DAC-AH so high. I expected the Channel Islands DAC to be clearly better. I think my modded DAC-AH is significantly better than stock so I wonder how it compares to more expensive DACs. Your opinions have kept me from loosing sanity and purchasing a Bel Canto DAC2 or something.

right now Tim Reynolds and Dave Matthews are blazing through "Stream" and the Lite DAC-AH is holding court - and the bass response is nice and deep, which i didn't expect since the DAC is feeding an electrostatic rig - it still has good decay too, not too quick. I'm very impressed with this DAC, and I don't even feel like modding it at the moment hehe - just enjoying the ride!

i've never heard a BelCanto tho, so i reserve opinions on a comparo there!