[momomo6789]

as the title says anyone know a really cheap one

needs usb input

 

[mark_h]

cambridge audio is about the cheapest balanced

 

[.Sup]

Doesn't Little dot DAC1 have usb too?

 

[pekingduck]

Yes the DAC_I does have USB input

 

[grawk]

what benefit are you looking for from having a balanced dac? Because the vast majority of inexpensive balanced sources use a drv123 or equivalent opamp based method to generate the balanced signal. You won't get much benefit from this. A better choice would be to get the best sounding source you can get in your price range, and then deal with getting a balanced circuit.

 

[tosehee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif what benefit are you looking for from having a balanced dac? Because the vast majority of inexpensive balanced sources use a drv123 or equivalent opamp based method to generate the balanced signal. You won't get much benefit from this. A better choice would be to get the best sounding source you can get in your price range, and then deal with getting a balanced circuit.

I agree with this.

Having a balanced dac is not just having a circuit layout. You would benefit more from getting a well implemented SE dac in the first place.

 

[DarKu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif what benefit are you looking for from having a balanced dac? Because the vast majority of inexpensive balanced sources use a drv123 or equivalent opamp based method to generate the balanced signal. You won't get much benefit from this. A better choice would be to get the best sounding source you can get in your price range, and then deal with getting a balanced circuit.

100% true

Same goes for cheap balanced amps too

 

[MayorSimpleton]

DacMagic is 'properly' balanced.

Pluck

 

[AudioCats]

or get a uDac to convert USB into spdif to feed a zhaolu D2. The D2 has balanced out.

you can hide the uDac into the zhaolu if you want to, plenty of room inside that huge case.

 

[AtomikPi]

EMU 0404 USB at $1XX outputs balanced TRS, although I can't say with certainty that it's a "proper" balanced signal. It also measures extremely well, better than anything up to a few times the price.

 

[momomo6789]

well my balanced bijou only takes balanced inputs so there's no other option then balanced

 

[Cata1yst]

Twisted Pear Opus?

 

[Junliang]

Matrix Dac Balanced ?
Heard that it was quite cheap

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomikPi /img/forum/go_quote.gif EMU 0404 USB at $1XX outputs balanced TRS, although I can't say with certainty that it's a "proper" balanced signal. It also measures extremely well, better than anything up to a few times the price.

Most recording cards will have balanced outputs. E-Mu is popular on this board, but there's also M-Audio, Apogee, Focusrite, DigiDesign, Numark, Behringer, Presonus... etc.

M-Audio and E-Mu are probably the the most popular in the $100-200 price range. Look at the Fast Track and 0202 respectively, or one step up at the Fast Track Pro and 0404. Focusrite also recently released the Saffire 6 USB for $200 which I picked up and am quite happy with and reviewed here.

 

[krmathis]

Matrix mini-i maybe?
Balanced DAC/Amp setting you back $300-350.