[HiFiRebel]

Hello all,

since my last thread in here my situation changed somewhat. I am no longer after headphones, I already ordered Argon Mk3. I still got another 2 months of wait or so. In the meantime I have decided to get myself ready for the Argon goodiness. So I ordered a better amp. I went for Emotiva BasX A-100. It's already here and I like it. I plan to install the jumpers when I get the headphones to squeeze all that possible out of the headphones. With the jumpers in it will send 50 Watts per channel directly to headphones.

Anyway, I am thinking about weak points in my chain and my eyes often land on my DAC. It is a descent little thing, but I wonder if I should upgrade it too. It's the FX-Audio DAC X6.

I am after sound quality. I also would like to have another volume control before the amp, just to limit its output a bit. My current DAC cannot control signal going out, volume knob only works when headphones are directly connected to the DAC.

Another thing is, I don't want to spend too much. I was only meant to buy a better pair of headphones and DAC, so recently I ordered the FX-Audio DAC X6 plus Philips Fidelio X2. Soon after that I have ordered Argons Mk3 and a week later I bought Emotiva A-100 amp. Now I am considering a different DAC. Will this ever stop?

Anyway, please let me know if you know of a DAC that would fit the bill. I don't mind refurbished or second hand at all, as long as the DAC will be a good link in my audio chain and be a good upgrade to the current one.

Thank you

 

[HiFiRebel]

Is AudioEngine D1 DAC a descent upgrade to my DAC? I can see someone is selling one in UK

 

[kukkurovaca]

IIRC the Cambridge DACMagic line, while older in terms of tech, is pretty well-liked, and relatively easy to find for cheap on the used market.

Or maybe a Topping D3, that's not too expensive. Or grab a Schiit Modi and a separate volume control.

But I imagine you'll be fine with your existing DAC, and you may not find a significant improvement when upgrading the dac on the cheap. But this is all speculative on my part, I haven't used any of the DACs in question.

 

[ohsigmachi]

The Grace Design SDAC is, in my opinion, the best stand alone DAC (dollar for dolla)r currently being offered. Catch it on Massdrop for $79 and it is an absolute steal. It is truly just a crystal clear, no shading, no warmth, just pure straight to your amp clarity of sound and truth.

It's USB powered, but i have never experienced a single instance of USB jitter from mine. It even help "lift the veil" from certain Sennheiser cans.

 

[HiFiRebel]

IIRC the Cambridge DACMagic line, while older in terms of tech, is pretty well-liked, and relatively easy to find for cheap on the used market.

Or maybe a Topping D3, that's not too expensive. Or grab a Schiit Modi and a separate volume control.

But I imagine you'll be fine with your existing DAC, and you may not find a significant improvement when upgrading the dac on the cheap. But this is all speculative on my part, I haven't used any of the DACs in question.

Thanks, I'll have a look at tge ones you mentioned. I know I should wait really, but I am so impatient.

 

[HiFiRebel]

The Grace Design SDAC is, in my opinion, the best stand alone DAC (dollar for dolla)r currently being offered. Catch it on Massdrop for $79 and it is an absolute steal. It is truly just a crystal clear, no shading, no warmth, just pure straight to your amp clarity of sound and truth.

It's USB powered, but i have never experienced a single instance of USB jitter from mine. It even help "lift the veil" from certain Sennheiser cans.

Thank you, I'll have a look. I love finding those gems that should be really much expensive than they are