Finding a DAC for the Cavalli Liquid Carbon. Only Four Months to Go.

[ButtUglyJeff]

I am going to have to read up on the emotiva.

I am giving serious consideration to picking up a CLAS dB to pair with the LC. Any thoughts on the dB?

 
That's going to be my pairing.  Alex uses one for his amp work, and I enjoy the Cypher Labs house sound.  The only bummer is the RSA to dual XLR cable that will be needed.  An awkward interconnect at best.
 
I wish Cypher Labs would make a small desktop DAC...

 

[joeexp]

You don't need the rca to xlr cables - the LC uses phase splitters for the rca inputs.
What's this obsession with "everything needs to be balanced"??
A good single ended source should be sufficient ..
Hence the good feedback from the CANJAM SOCAL where the Liquid Carbon was demoed with a Chord Hugo.
However if you do own a DAC with balanced out, go for it! And yes you will need 2 XLR to XLR cables.
Your local cable dealer is going to be happy

Inputs: 1 x XLR (Bal), 1 x RCA, 1 x 3.5mm front panel selectable. RCA and 3.5mm are the same input.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

Well, what's the point of having a balanced DAC if you're going to go single ended.  Might as well save a few bucks and buy the CLAS-r instead then....

 

[Pirakaphile]

Well I looked at some Gustard DACs, the Sabre usb ones, Emotiva, and a couple others on the DAC view thread and decided I'll just go all the way for the Yggdrasil. I was originally looking around Gungnir and others in its price point but I'm convinced the Yggy is good enough to save up for. Besides, I love the dudes at Schiit, I wanna support those cats cause they deserve it.

 

[DPogster]

Oh, going big with Yggy. Hot, heavy, good sounding piece of engineering. Agree Schiit people deserve support. Wish they would shrink Yggy down and make a transportable version to match with LC.

 

[Pirakaphile]

Oh, going big with Yggy. Hot, heavy, good sounding piece of engineering. Agree Schiit people deserve support. Wish they would shrink Yggy down and make a transportable version to match with LC.

I'm actually looking forward to having that hulking piece of metal on my desk. The Carbon will look pretty cute sitting on top.
But it would be cool if they made a balanced Bifrost size DAC. I mean, the Modi is no slouch, but I know they could do more.
However, I'm pleased with what Schiit does now, balancing audiophile products and regular consumers. Specializing would be too expensive for their, and our own good!

 

[lukeap69]

Just buy big feet for the Yggy and you hide the LC underneath.

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

The Yggy might cook the Liquid Carbon into a Liquid Diamond.....

 

[Pirakaphile]

Just buy big feet for the Yggy and you hide the LC underneath.

But that's where all the electromagnetic waves converge! KABLOOHIE!!!

 

[audiofrk]

Well I looked at some Gustard DACs, the Sabre usb ones, Emotiva, and a couple others on the DAC view thread and decided I'll just go all the way for the Yggdrasil. I was originally looking around Gungnir and others in its price point but I'm convinced the Yggy is good enough to save up for. Besides, I love the dudes at Schiit, I wanna support those cats cause they deserve it.

If you have the money go for it I heard many DACs at many prices but the yggy beats them all. Its just real and that is amazing. You like a specific sound switch the amp and headphones but let the yggy do its thing

 

[aqsw]

Not really trying to be negative per se. It's just I've had some very underwhelming experiences with gear from that company. Just trying to be truthful

.
Me too. I'm not a fan. I bought the first cd player available in Winnipeg. They didn't even have cds out yet. It was a Teac. Gold colored. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough when I heard some good ones., but I wish I had it now.

Ps: first cds bought was Aja and Dire Straits. I played the schiit outof those for awhile.

 

[aqsw]

Oh, going big with Yggy. Hot, heavy, good sounding piece of engineering. Agree Schiit people deserve support. Wish they would shrink Yggy down and make a transportable version to match with LC.

I completely agree with your choice. That dac sounds fantastic on the few reviews. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[jjacq]

+1 on the emotiva. Their products are really good for the price.

 

[joeexp]

What about the NAD D 1050?

 

[elwappo99]

  Only four months to go to find the perfect DAC to complement the new Cavalli Liquid Carbon amp. My own personal wishlist:
 
1. Transportable (maybe even portable). No bigger than the Liquid Carbon
2. Balanced output. Dual 3-pin XLR would be best, but in a pinch, any balanced output will do
3. USB input
4. Coax input (to use with Fiio DAPs)
5. Optical input (to use with A&K DAPs)
6. Under $1000. Under $600 would be even better
7. Personally, I am ambivalent about DSD (I have some and use the AK240 for it). YMMV
 
I have lots of good DAPs and several good DAC/AMP combos, but very little experience with stand-alone DACs other than the SCHIIT Modi.
 
So, I need your help guys. We only have 4 months!

 
To fit all this.... Emotiva DC-1. Really good unit, under $500 every day. Comes down to $400-$450 during sales. 
 
Also has a good preamp and remote on it.
 
 
 

 

good suggestions. any recommendations that does point 6.2 (under $600 price point)?

Here, Here!  And for the record, so far, everything I see in the ~<$600 range has a headphone amp included.  Why?  Any thoughts for something that doesn't?  I don't need it, want it, or want to sacrifice resources inside the box to have it.  Why oh Why?  (somebody call the Wambulance now....).
 
Any impressions on the Cambridge Dac Magic Plus from this group?  I had the original a few years ago.  It was ok.  Fit and finish were acceptable, sound seemed a bit bright, but that is from old memory.  The Plus is supposed to be better.
 
As for me, DSD is not necessary.  The only use it has for me is helping future resale.
 

 
 
The DC-1 had 2 headphone outs as well. I don't think it costs that much more to put them in, but many units that include a headphone amp seems to be more of a "side-feature" as opposed to the "main attraction".