Please recommend a DAC for me.

[Muftobration]

Right now I have my Laptop's headphone jack>Heed CanAmp>DT990 and I think I should change the source to a DAC. The onboard sound is okay, but it's certainly not great. I don't really know how much a good DAC costs, but I will not spend more than $150 (so I say now, feel free to tell me about all the expensive ones too). I actually don't know much about DACs, really.

as for the normal requirements, it does not have to be portable, it can be PCMCIA or USB interface, and it can have audio out through RCA or mini (mini preferred because then I wont have to make another $30 interconnector).

 

[d-cee]

not many choices in that price range

Silverstone EB01

maybe a used Firestone Audio Fubar

 

[n4k33n]

You can buy an alien dac, which is an improvement over most onboard audio sources for $100. Its a good source, but not that great. If I were you, I would buy a emu0404 usb, or save up for a microdac.

 

[fordgtlover]

I'm pretty happy with my Silverstone EB01.

I will be looking to upgrade soon because I am an upgrade junky rather than there being anything wrong with the EB01.

 

[Muftobration]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif not many choices in that price range

That's what I was afraid of. I don't think a DAC is worth too much to me. I don't really need one anyway. The headphone out isn't terrible. The 0404 has so many extra features that I just don't need that I think it would be a waste to buy one. Thanks for the other suggestions though.

 

[hakuryuu]

I'm loving my Firestone Audio Spitfire, but the Fubar III($229) and II($137) are both USB and supposed to be great. The Fubar III is also a headphone amp.

 

[Seaside]

It is gonna be kind of hard to get a good DAC less than $200 price range.
Then, Why don't you go for DIY route, and try AlienDAC? It's like $50 and sound good enough at cheap price.