[money4me247]

Flagship DACs as of 12/31/13 by company with source
 
AKM: AK4399: (http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=56)
Citrus Logic: CS4398 (http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/d-a_converters.html)
ESS: ES9102A SABRE32: (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110712006671/en/ESS-Technology-Introduces-Flagship-SABRE32-Reference-ADC#.UsNQifRDuqs)
TI (Burr Brown): the PCM51xx is TI's flagship line: (http://hifiduino.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/texas-instrument-audio-guide/)
Wolfson: WM8741: (http://www.poppulse.com.hk/productview.asp?proid=10)
 
I believe these are all accurate. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Sapientiam]

I'm not sure you're correct in stating that the PCM51xx are Ti's flagships. Certainly they're the latest developments but they're more akin to ES9023 (which came out later than ES9018) in that they're integrated parts with on-board opamps. Normally flagships are current out devices for companies that make such (Cirrus, Wolfson and AKM don't) as Iout parts deliver the best SNR and normally also THD..

 

[Lohb]

I wonder how the ES9023 stands up to the ES9018....but is there really any way to compare them when there is no easy way to swap them out (or is there) on the same DAC unit implementation ? I'm not sure if there are any identical DAC units where the only difference is the level of the ESS90xx chip ?
Was always curious about the difference !

 

[dikkiedirk]

What about the ifi iDSD nano with Burr Brown DAC and battery powered?
 
Works on iDevices, PC and Android.  $189

 

[SonnyA85]

what are the best bang for your buck options?
 
i mean is there cheap options which really stand out?
 
best under $100
best under $150
best under $200
 
needs to be portable and DAC only already have a portable amp lined up

 

[ShadowVlican]

  what are the best bang for your buck options?
 
i mean is there cheap options which really stand out?
 
best under $100
best under $150
best under $200
 
needs to be portable and DAC only already have a portable amp lined up

 
way too subjective because most people here don't have equipment to properly test ALL of them
 
i like what the OP is doing, keep up the great work, this is very useful information for those researching which product to purchase

 

[U6astik]

  what are the best bang for your buck options?
 
i mean is there cheap options which really stand out?
 
...
 
needs to be portable and DAC only already have a portable amp lined up

 
SonnyA85,
 
Have a look at FiiO products.

 

[supermoo]

Great thread. It'd be interesting to see some good recommendations for $200-$300 portable DACs & DAC/Amps as well. I would probably add the O2+ODac (ES9023) and ALO Audio Island (CS4398) to that category.

 

[bolmeteus]

This thread needs a proper update! 
 
You should add the new fiio Q1(69$) to the list. I Have the UCA202 and it is beyond awesome for it's price! The Q1 will being shipped atm.

 

[money4me247]

Thank you guys for the kind comments. Yes, this thread is pretty out of date nowadays.
 
Don't really have free time to update the list, but if anyone else wants to do the research & make their own list, I would be happy to add the edits into the original post with the appropriate credits.
 
For desktop units, there is also the new Aune X1S at the $240-$250-290ish price points depending on what kind of deals/retailers you can find online.

Best price point I've seen is here for $240ish.
 
Very solid performer for a non-portable desktop dac/amp combo that I had the pleasure to try out. Posted a review here.

 

[bolmeteus]

Thank you guys for the kind comments. Yes, this thread is pretty out of date nowadays.

Don't really have free time to update the list, but if anyone else wants to do the research & make their own list, I would be happy to add the edits into the original post with the appropriate credits.

For desktop units, there is also the new Aune X1S at the $240-$250-290ish price points depending on what kind of deals/retailers you can find online.


Best price point I've seen is here for $240ish.

Very solid performer for a non-portable desktop dac/amp combo that I had the pleasure to try out. Posted a review here.

Neither do I. But if I ever do, I'll surely ask for your assistance.

 

[dasman]

I realize this thread is ancient, but since I have one of the DAC's listed sitting in a box, I thought I'd add that the Transit USB uses the AKM AK4584 
 
das