Looking for USB DAC, <$150

[Chris Tch]

Hi, I've been looking around for a quality USB DAC to connect to my Mini³ amp. I want something preferably 24-bit, but because of the price limit I'd be fine with 16-bit as long as it's good. My main choices are the M-Audio Transit (did they discontinue it recently? it's not on their site), the Edirol UA-1EX, and the Silverstone EB-01. I'd rather not use eBay or build it myself, I just want something easy to plug in and play. I want the highest quality output, not extra features, so one simple line out is fine with me.

Glad Head-Fi's back up!

-Chris

 

[ph0rk]

you can hit the emu 0404 usb in that price range, which has optical and coax, a pair of outs (1/4" L and R, 1/8" stereo), and a headphone amp that is pretty decent.

You can run a usb source and coax/optical source at the same time (and the analog inputs too), so it can act as a sort of nerve center if you have multiple sources. I haven't tried optical and coax inputs together yet.

It is an annoying 7" x 8" square thing though - not particularly desk space friendly.

 

[Sarchi]

I have a nice one for sale, if you can stretch the budget a little.

 

[Chris Tch]

Hmm, I was considering the 0404 for a while, but all I could find them for was around $200. I don't really want to buy directly from someone here, especially used. Not that I don't trust you, or anyone else, I just prefer buying from a website where it's brand new. Does anyone have any opinions of the others?

 

[facelvega]

I'm looking in the same price point, and am leaning towards the super pro 707 usb, $110 plus shipping from either audiomagus or obad imports. compact, 24 bits, very good components.

 

[fordgtlover]

I can't compare the EB-01 to the others you have mentioned, but as my first DAC I was pretty happy with it. I recently bought a Monica USB DAC and it blows the doors off the EB-01 for not a great deal more money.

 

[Ant0nik]

I bought my 0404 USB for 155$ shipped from Amazon last week, currently they have it for 169$ Shipped.

 

[Chris Tch]

How about the M-Audio Audiophile USB? I can find that for really good prices online.

 

[tjumper78]

DAC Super Pro USB is out of stock and they have no idea when they'll have it in stock.

emu 0404 or 0202....
i am considering 0202 b/c from what i read on the spec sheets, the only difference between 0404 and 0202 are the amount of in/outputs. am i missing anything?

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjumper78 /img/forum/go_quote.gif DAC Super Pro USB is out of stock and they have no idea when they'll have it in stock. emu 0404 or 0202.... i am considering 0202 b/c from what i read on the spec sheets, the only difference between 0404 and 0202 are the amount of in/outputs. am i missing anything?

Do you mean from Audiomagus? I know Obad just got their shipment in a week ago, and of course you can still get them from diykits.com.hk, the original supplier for whom those sites are just distributors.

 

[tjumper78]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you mean from Audiomagus? I know Obad just got their shipment in a week ago, and of course you can still get them from diykits.com.hk, the original supplier for whom those sites are just distributors.

thank you for the info!!!
just ordered one from obad with the $10 discount coupon code "summer".

edit: i think the coupon is actually for 10% off.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjumper78 /img/forum/go_quote.gif thank you for the info!!! just ordered one from obad with the $10 discount coupon code "summer".

Thanks in turn for that coupon code, you finally spurred me on to buy it. Being a cheapskate, up till now I was kind of peeved that Sasha Obad didn't undercut Audiomagus' price the way he did with the non-USB version. With the coupon code, he effectively did just that. Cheers!

 

[Chris Tch]

So, what do you guys think of 0404 vs Audiophile USB?

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Tch /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, what do you guys think of 0404 vs Audiophile USB?

Don't have either, but have read enough reviews to tell you that the 0404 USB is held in higher esteem around here, though possibly because it includes a passable headphone amp section, a relative rarity in studio equipment.

 

[Chris Tch]

Okay, I guess I'll get the 0404, unless there are better/cheaper options I don't know about.