Need help with finding a new Dac in the 200 to 300 range . . .

[roker]

I'm in the market for a new dac and the only dac that's somewhat interesting to me so far is the V-Dac.

I'm thinking new, my limit is 300 bucks. I'm not interested in the Compass or any other massively sized DAC. I'd like to keep it desktop size friendly (though if I somehow stumbled on the benchmark for 300 bucks I wouldn't blink twice.)

The Dacmagic looks nice but they just raised up the price another 30 bucks. I'd like to buy new so I can return it in 30 days if I don't like it.

thanks ahead of time.

 

[LingLing1337]

I would recommend doing some research on the Beresford TC7520, it really competes in a league above the price bracket you mentioned.

 

[Blueiz]

Maybe the PICO DAC only.....

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueiz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe the PICO DAC only.....

Not an option mainly because it's not friendly for speakers (no RCAs What?)

beresford is also not an option because I plan on getting a nice dedicated amp in the future.

 

[LingLing1337]

^You can certainly bypass the Beresford's internal amp... in fact, when you use the RCA-outs, the amp is immediately bypassed.

 

[recca]

quite a few options in the price range. i think you'll probably go through a few before you finalize on something. i have a dac-ah and am hoping to try out an modded zhalou shortly. definitely want to get an idea for the differences between Non os and os. the 7520 was also on my list especially since it can be battery powered.

 

[JamesL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not an option mainly because it's not friendly for speakers (no RCAs What?)

What? I thought the pico DAC does have rca outputs.
In any case, y1, pico dac, and dacmagic would be my choices at $100, 350, and 400. Less if used.

 

[plaidplatypus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LingLing1337 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would recommend doing some research on the Beresford TC7520, it really competes in a league above the price bracket you mentioned.

You should write Beresford and let them know how much you love them. I also suggest researching before buying, it's what makes Head-Fi great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL /img/forum/go_quote.gif What? I thought the pico DAC does have rca outputs. In any case, y1, pico dac, and dacmagic would be my choices at $100, 350, and 400. Less if used.

The pico DAC has RCA and 1/8" stereo output on the front faceplate and USB input on the rear.

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesL /img/forum/go_quote.gif What? I thought the pico DAC does have rca outputs. In any case, y1, pico dac, and dacmagic would be my choices at $100, 350, and 400. Less if used.

sorry I had that mixed up with the d10. Still, I'd like something with more input options.

Haven't heard much of the y1. I'll look into it.

 

[julius_the_cat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Haven't heard much of the y1. I'll look into it.

Actually is the γ or gamma 1, which looks like a "y"

Type "& # 947" without the quotes or spaces if you want to display the greek alphabet symbol.

FWIW, I have one and a friend of mine also bought one for himself and one as a gift. For the price, excellent.

 

[roker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by julius_the_cat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually is the γ or gamma 1, which looks like a "y" Type "& # 947" without the quotes or spaces if you want to display the greek alphabet symbol. FWIW, I have one and a friend of mine also bought one for himself and one as a gift. For the price, excellent.

My main concern are my speakers as of right now. The output of the Y1 is a 1/8' output from the pictures I saw. I know there's adapters for this but I'd rather ran the RCA's I have right now on my speakers.

If the pico has digital inputs I'd be all over it, probably the one feature that's really making me not want it. I'm pretty indecisive. I think I might just run it straight from the macbook until I can figure this out, unless someone else has a recommendation.

edit: I just saw that the little dot dac hits my price point, is it any good?

 

[MrSlim]

Well MisterX is building the γ1 for people, you could get him to put RCA outs on it for you. If he used the "full++" case, there would be plenty of room for RCA's.

Another option could be the Super Pro Dac 707, http://www.diykits.com.hk/dac_super_pro_dac707.htm, according to the 707 mod thread on the Headfi DIY forum, the new version is much improved over the previous versions. And it has RCA outs.

 

[tim3320070]

Coming from the V-DAC, I can tell you it sounds great for the money. It's maybe 60% of the Reference-1 I have now and that's saying something. It sounds like some simple mods make it that much better.

 

[MrSlim]

The Hippo Hi fi Bloat looks interesting too. and you can get an RCA upgrade on it too..
HIPPOhifi - The Bloat

 

[1UP]

Little Dot DAC_1, MisterX Y-1, Devilsound DAC <- one of these

Don't get a Beresford, unless you want to support a company that spammed this and most every other audio internet forum in the world with antagonistic, pain-in-the-ass shills.