[HeadLover]

Hi
I have the Benchmark DAC1 PRE, and I want something more,
I have one more PC, so I want one more DAC.
 
That DAC must have a USB input (that can get 24/96 or even better and do it good!), and headphones amp (using it with GRADO and HD650 and others, must have a very good , clean and powerful amp)
 
As for price - up to 2500$ at most.
 
I was thinking about the DAC1 HDR, but wouldn't mind try other things.
 
So, what can you offer me to try please?

 

[volume]

Balanced then Reference 7 by Audio gd
 
Single Ended then DAC19DSP by Audio gd

 

[HeadLover]

What is the DAC19DSPand does it include amp? also I prefer one with a good usb that can get 24/96 or even better - and yes a single ended will be what I want.

 

[volume]

That budget you will be left with plenty to get a dedicated amp, would be the obvious way to start.
 
Audio gd's single ended miracle DAC is DAC19DSP does what you require and more, be astounded by the sound quality, hear all the micro details you felt never existed.
Re-discovering your music is fun.

 

[dexter3d]

Quote:

Hi
I have the Benchmark DAC1 PRE, and I want something more,
I have one more PC, so I want one more DAC.
 
That DAC must have a USB input (that can get 24/96 or even better and do it good!), and headphones amp (using it with GRADO and HD650 and others, must have a very good , clean and powerful amp)
 
As for price - up to 2500$ at most.
 
I was thinking about the DAC1 HDR, but wouldn't mind try other things.
 
So, what can you offer me to try please?

What kind of music are you listening to? For some music, the results would get better when decreasing the budget, not increasing. In other words, some music will definitely sound better (and truer to the intentions of its composers) with lower resolution system. That is really something to consider.
 
I am pretty sure you won't be able to notice a difference between DAC1 PRE and DAC1 HDR. I doubt if there is any difference between them in terms of DAC at all.
 
 
 

 

[sk3383]

Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA or Lavry DA11 are great choices in your price range.

 

[Headphony]

Quote:

Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA or Lavry DA11 are great choices in your price range.

I'll 2nd the Lavry DA11 recommendation - very solid choice for the OP's criteria.   I'm curious too about the new Antelope Audio DAC's, but have not heard them and reviews are hard to find. Also, the soon to be released Mytek Stereo192-DSD DAC is sure to be good pick if it's anything like the Stereo96 DAC + USB input etc.

 

[sk3383]

I agree the Antelope Audio DAC's do look interesting. I would like to hear it first hand.
 
I have seen some used Weiss DAC202's going for good prices. If you can bump your budget slightly you could have a great piece of equipment there.

 

[DaveBSC]

There are demo specials of North Star's new USB DAC32 on Audiogon for $1600 (normally $3000). The North Star has built-in 192/32 capable asynch USB that I'm pretty sure has galvanic isolation. You won't find that anywhere else, at least for the time being. Take the other $900, and buy a dedicated head amp.

 

[Kurt]

The Senns sound so much better balanced and all you need is a DAC with more Power than the Benchmark. And a Line Out Impedance that is not higher than the HP's.

 

[HeadLover]

So, if I want a DAC only, with the BEST audio world class for this price, and with a USB (with high rate, means at least 24/96 input), what will be the best for me?

I am listening mostly to classic music, rock, and some vocal and acoustic music.
 

 

[Yikes]

I'd recommend the Grace M902 or the M904 in conjunction with a HiFace USB SpDIF converter. To be honest I just discovered the 904 (and it looks Wicked Cool), but I've always liked the 902 better than the DAC1. It's a more musical dac and a much better headphone amp. Usually once you get to a certain level you have to split the components, and you're barking at that level.

 

[Kurt]

HeadLover: Probably this: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1285459645&/ps-audio-Perfectwave-DAC-
And once it's ready, this: http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/detail/perfectwave-bridge?cat=audio
The Line Out Impedance is so low, it could even drive the Grados.
Reterminate the Senn connectors to XLR, connect them directly to the DAC and enjoy more clarity than any amp can deliver.

 

[DaveBSC]

Quote:

So, if I want a DAC only, with the BEST audio world class for this price, and with a USB (with high rate, means at least 24/96 input), what will be the best for me?

I am listening mostly to classic music, rock, and some vocal and acoustic music.
 

Don't forget how important asynchronous mode is. Adaptive mode 24/96 via CEntrance or whatnot is nowhere near as good. You can get the 24/192 Asych capable W4S DAC-2 new for $1500. Used Ayre QB-9s are around $2000 or so, and as I mentioned before, you can get the new $3000 North Star USB DAC32 as a demo for $1600.
 
If you want to use USB, I would either get one of those, or use a Hiface and connect it to your DAC with S/Pdif.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

This looks really cool. If i didn't already have something similar it's what I'd buy. For sure.
 
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_babyface.php#4
 
Check out the spec.
 
Input AD: 2 x XLR (2 x Mic/Line), servo-balanced.
Output DA (Main, 2 Channels): 2 x XLR, servo-balanced
Output DA (Phones, 2 Channels): 2 x 1/4" TRS (Stereo), unbalanced (on breakout cable and interface)
Input Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical
Output Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical
MIDI: 1 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable (2 x 5-pin DIN jacks), for 16 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI
Dynamic range AD: 108 dB RMS unweighted, 111 dBA
THD AD: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
THD+N AD: < -98 dB (< 0.0012 %)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
THD DA: < -104 dB (< 0.00063%)
THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001%)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS: +12 dBu
Maximum Output Level @ 0 dBFS Line: +15 dBu
Maximum Output Level @ 0 dBFS Phones: +8 dBu
Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4, 192 kHz
Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 22 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 34 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -1 dB: 5 Hz - 50 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
Jitter: Typical < 1 ns for internal, ADAT in
Jitter suppression: >30 dB (2.4 kHz)
Jitter sensitivity: PLL operates error-free even at 100 ns

 

Driver support

- Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2 (32 & 64 bit)
- Apple Mac OS X 10.5 or up (Core Audio)
Top