[Anouk]

Hi everyone,
I am currently using a dacmagic and looking for a new dac with headphone output to use with my es5 iems (max 1500 dollar second hand). Xlr outputs would be nice so that I can connect it to my preamp (I could of course use a converter cable) and an internal preamp would be good because I am now using a diy active preamp and saving space is always good. I mostly use usb so asynchronous usb would be nice and 24bit is mandatory in this day and age. I also need optical.
So far my list consists of the following:
noforce dac-9 (i would love to try the sabre dac chip but since I am blind the touchscreen is a bit of a concern)
lavry da11
benchmark dac1 pre (dont really need the hdr)
centrance dacmini (very nice price but it has no xlr output, and i wonder if it can compare with the nuforce).
Does anyone know if belcanto dac3.5vb or stello da220mkii have headphone output? I dont think so but i dont want to disregard them until i know for sure.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Mad Max]

I've read good things about the Grace M902.

 

[Anouk]

Hi, yes I have made a shortlist of possible dacs and I will go check their specs this evening. Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Anouk]

I updated the first post with my question about dacs with a sabre32 chip. Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Currawong]

I've read good things about the Grace M902.

Stop recommending gear you've never heard.

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Anouk: I think you're pretty much after a DAC/amp combo, of which there are many choices, most below your budget. The only suggestion I'd make would require you, ideally, to go balanced with your headphones for best results, so I'll leave it for now. I'm sure it'll be the performance with your HD-800s that'll be the key.

 

[Anouk]

Hi, sorry i dont have the hd800 anymore only the westone es5 that will hopefully arrive soon. The new nuforce dac/amp/preamp seems interesting though! Greetings, Anouk,

 

[Mad Max]

Quote:

Stop recommending gear you've never heard.

 
I'm not, just suggesting something to give him a random starting point in his search.  =p
Perhaps it sucks at its price point and then there will be others in those threads making other suggestions, hence he starts seeing some of his options.

 

[Anouk]

Hi,
Well I have been doing some researching today and there are only a few options: the new nuforce dac-9, lavry da11 benchmark dac1 pre and the new centrance dacmini but that one doesnt have xlr outputs and my preamp (if it turns out its better then the built-in preamp options) has onlyxlr-in.
I also saw the belcanto 3.5vb and stello da220mkii but I dont think these have headphone outputs.
The thing for me is, the nuforce is at the top of my list (it has a sabre dac chip according to a blog post) but it also has a touch screen. I am blind so obviously for me a touch screen is a no-go. It has a remote control though so I will have to contact nuforce to see if all the functionality can also be used with the remote. StillI prefer normal buttons and switches over a remote.

 

[Anouk]

I edited my post so that it is more useful.

 

[Mad Max]

Never seen a Bel Canto DAC with headphone output, by the way.
I keep forgetting that I can audition that Bel Canto DAC locally.