[the_eleven]

Can anyone point me towards a stand alone DAC, that offers superior sound for a reasonable price?

Also, I am looking to start converting some of my vinyl into a digital format. Any info on an analog to digital device would be welcome as well.

Thanks!

 

[vvanrij]

Zero, Keces, Zhaolu and Beresford are names you often see here. Are there some better DAC's out there for around 200$'s? Some that don't introduce any noise

 

[mrarroyo]

The good thing is that there are many options to choose from, the bad thing is which one to choose?

Currently I have two DACs a Non-Oversampling Lite DAC-AH w/ the passive mod and an Oritek V4.1. Neither would be considered high end, maybe mid-fi for the Oritek V4.1.

The sound out of both is very organic and vinyl like, with the the Oritek V4.1 having more extension and detail. However IMO the simplicity and low cost of the Lite Dac-Ah may pull you in. I bought my Lite Dac-Ah used for about $125 and if you put about $25 dollars for a pair of resistors and a pair of caps the sound improves significantly.

Good luck.

 

[krmathis]

I find the Electrocompaniet ECD1 to be a really stunning DAC.
Its price tag of $2200 is quite reasonable as well, considering that the same DAC power the $6-7000 Electrocompaniet EMC1...

 

[vvanrij]

But it would be quite ridiculous to have a 2200$ dollar dac to a 300$ headphone, imo. Anyway, a good 200$ DAC with no noise? Anyone?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvanrij /img/forum/go_quote.gif But it would be quite ridiculous to have a 2200$ dollar dac to a 300$ headphone, imo. Anyway, a good 200$ DAC with no noise? Anyone?

Sure!
But no place did I see the rest of his/her gear mentioned. So $300 is just taken right out of the blue. It may be paired up with $3000 headphones for all we know...

 

[zephyr_80]

Would an M-Audio Duo work for you?
Soundonsound.com Review

I have one and it seems to do everything. A/D + D/A + S/PDIF + USB + Mic Pre-Amp + Low Price!

 

[the_eleven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sure! But no place did I see the rest of his/her gear mentioned. So $300 is just taken right out of the blue. It may be paired up with $3000 headphones for all we know...

I wish!

Just diving in to lake headphone (grips his wallet). UE TF10, SR-80.

Audio Research+VTL tube gear for the home system, so analog is covered.

$300 should get something worth that will work well.

 

[third_eye]

Apogee Duet if you have a Mac

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_eleven /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wish! Just diving in to lake headphone (grips his wallet). UE TF10, SR-80. Audio Research+VTL tube gear for the home system, so analog is covered. $300 should get something worth that will work well.

Ok, then I back out. Since you now have posted some kind of budget

 

[the_eleven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by third_eye /img/forum/go_quote.gif Apogee Duet if you have a Mac

Thanks for the tip.

After looking into the Duet, it is the perfect choice, as it will also allow me to rip my vinyl onto my Mac HD!