[Jorg]

My friend is going to buy a DAC in the near future so I'm asking for some help. I'll also be considering DAC purchase, but not in August.

These are DACs that I was told to be good in this price range:

Bel Canto DAC2
Benchmark DAC1
Ack! dAck!

I didn't find any comparison of their sound quality and I also think that the list is not full. Please I need your advice.

 

[md01]

Couple more dacs to add to the list. Note that I haven't heard any of the ones below, just know of them:

Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC
Musical Fidelity Tri Vista 21 DAC
MSB GOLD LINK DAC III or any of MSB Link dac III
Perpetual Technologies P-3A (correction)

 

[tiberian]

if you don't want a bright DAC like the benchmark check out the apogee mini dac.

 

[chillysalsa]

A couple other things to add to the list would be

Muse Model 2
Birdland Odeon
Kora Hermes

 

[Sphinx]

Let's now forget about the,

Electrocompaniet ECD-1

I own this DAC and it's hooked up to my Meridian 206 excellent combo

1 could be had for about 1200 used

 

[ampgalore]

Bel Canto DAC 2. I have always wondered how the two of them compare.

 

[tiberian]

we need a DAC shootout or a DAC meet...

 

[TimSchirmer]

I've heard nice things about the birdland myself. Meitner stuff looks neat too.

 

[BradJudy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by md01 Perpetual Technologies P-3A or P-1A

Only the P-3A is a DAC, the P-1A is a processor for upsampling, reclocking and more. They are designed to be paired up, but the P-3A can be used by itself.

 

[md01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradJudy Only the P-3A is a DAC, the P-1A is a processor for upsampling, reclocking and more. They are designed to be paired up, but the P-3A can be used by itself.

Oops

 

[Jorg]

Hey thanks everyone for the answers! I'm sorry to be so stupid and forget about this thread for a while. I think my friend will end up with the Bel Canto DAC2 (as I'll do in the future).

Thanks again!

 

[Zoide]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiberian we need a DAC shootout or a DAC meet...

Bump.

Has anyone thought of holding one recently? I think it would be very useful to the community.

Most meets compare amps, cans, and cdp's, but DAC's (which have had somewhat of a resurgence in popularity here, I'd say) are not as featured.

 

[Nick Dangerous]

There is the TwinDac+, and then there is everything else.

http://www.twindac.com

It is similar but superior to the Ack! Dack!. It will take SP/DIF and direct USB input! Coupled with a PC it reportedly sounds better than any CD transport, regardless of price.

I haven't heard it with my own ears, but I will be acquiring one based upon the opinions of those I trust.

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Dangerous There is the TwinDac+, and then there is everything else.

How much does this TwinDac+ cost?

 

[Spent&Bent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero How much does this TwinDac+ cost?

around 2100 (euro's, since it's dutch, european design).
They don't sell DIY kits of it just the prebuilt ones, but the site says they are working on one.