Help me pick a DAC. Amp and headphones already bought.

[RockCity]

Hi, I'm trying to put together a setup to use exclusively with my PC. I already bought the DT770/80 with a Meier-Audio Arietta Amp. From my simple understanding, I still need a DAC because the Arietta is not a DAC/Amp combo.

What would you suggest for a $200 budget? If I buy a sound card, would I still need an external DAC or is the sound card itself the DAC? Similarly, if I buy an external DAC do I need a high quality sound card to provide bit perfect audio or does it bypass the sound card altogether? Please also recommend an inter-connector to use between DAC and amp.

Thank you.

 

[22906]

Get an Alien DAC, either build one yourself or have someone build one for you. It's a USB-only DAC and very small.

You might consider getting an E-MU 1212m soundcard. If you get a good sound card you don't NEED an external DAC because the soundcard has its own DAC. In the case of the 1212m it has the high end CS4398 DAC chip. However, most soundcards will also have digital output, so you can upgrade to an external DAC later on and bypass the soundcard's DAC chip. If you just want the digital output from the soundcard to pass on to an external DAC, check out the Chaintech AV-710, which is cheap and has bit perfect digital output.

Under $200 there aren't a lot of options for non-USB external DACs. It might be best for you to get a nice soundcard and add an external DAC later on.

 

[ccfoodog]

I don't have one, but I've been considering something like the DIYEDEN SVDAC04-U or maybe the Beresford TC-7510, running it via optical out from my motherboard.

All you would need is a MB or sound card that has optical out if I understand correctly.

-john

 

[RockCity]

I forgot to mention that I'm using an Abit IP35 Pro motherboard. I believe it has an optical out. Keep the suggestions coming, I'm researching as I go along.

 

[katanka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockCity /img/forum/go_quote.gif I forgot to mention that I'm using an Abit IP35 Pro motherboard. I believe it has an optical out. Keep the suggestions coming, I'm researching as I go along.

With your onboard sound, im sure you can use optical out to an external dac like the beresford of zero ( like i have ) or even a zhaolu. you would have to use something like asio4all or kernel streaming in music programs like foobar2000 or winamp.

 

[skeptic]

This thread should be sticked imo - info on a huge number of DAC's, sorted by price:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/all...pt-2-a-325941/

By using the search feature in the forums, and also on audiogon.com, you should be able to find a wide range of user comments on most any of them

 

[RockCity]

Thank you for the link. This is the set up I want:

ChainTech AV-710 (Digital Transport) > Zhaolu 2.5C > Meier Arietta > DT770/80

My question is do I really need the ChainTech if I already have an optical out in my motherboard? Is it essential to bit perfect audio or can my motherboard already provide the setting?

Secondly, I realize the Zhaolu already has an amp inside. Is there a way I can bypass it and use only its DAC? Would the Arietta be an improvement?

Lastly, how taxing would this setup be on my CPU, e8400@3.83ghz when I game or do other activities besides listening to music?

Thanks.

 

[FallenAngel]

Keep the AV710, it's bit-perfect, the motherboard is likely not. Nice setup.

 

[katanka]

If you line out from the Zhaolu and line in to the Meier Arietta, you should be bypassing the headpone amp if thats what you are referring to. And like FalleAngel said, keep the chaintech, it is much better as transport than onboard sound.

 

[RockCity]

Yes, basically what I want is to use the Zhaolu exclusively for its DAC properties. I believe the Arietta will do a better job than the integrated amp inside the Zhaolu. For that reason, I did not buy the discrete amp upgrade.

What are the interconnectors I would need to link the DAC to amp? RCA to RCA? Which budget cable manufacturer should I go with?

Thanks.

 

[RockCity]

Update. This is what I bought:

ChainTech AV-710 > OriTek OMZ 2.5A DAC > Meier-Audio Arietta > DT770/80

Is this okay? I think I am unintentionally made my headphones the weakest component.

 

[MrLA]

ithink if you try comp > OMZ > Melos > Grado/Senn...your ears will love you!

hey, here is a link to someone(not me) is selling a Melos and MS2. they match well with your OMZ silver face plate!

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f42/fs...silver-326003/

 

[RockCity]

Damn it. You piqued my interest now.