[deaddog]

I'm looking for a unit that will primarily serve as the DAC for my home setup (laptop into DAC into arcam integrated) but can do double duty as a portable (either laptop or ipod into DAC to headphones). So, it needs USB in, line in (for ipod), headphone out and RCA out. Size and sound quality are primary considerations. Price not really an object (at least not yet)

The only thing I've found tha I think fits the bill is the Nuforce UDAC - although I'm not sure how good the amp section is.

Can anybody suggest other options?

Thanks

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaddog /img/forum/go_quote.gif The only thing I've found tha I think fits the bill is the Nuforce UDAC - although I'm not sure how good the amp section is.

The uDac is a wonderful choice for budget but it doesn't have line-in so you can't use it with your iPod.

Most portable USB DAC/amp can satisfy your need but again, most of them have mini 3.5mm output, not RCA.

 

[userlander]

Yeah, uDAC doesn't have line in for your iPod. If you're going in that direction though, and price isn't primary but SQ *is,* I would recommend getting the DAC-Extasy over the uDAC. It costs twice as much, but it definitely sounds better (imo). Size is about the same, with the DAC-Ex only a little bit bigger (I have a photo of both together somewhere - I'll try to find it). RCA and headphone outs, but like the uDAC, no input for your iPod.

That's a hard one, not sure off the top of my head what has both - there must be something out there, but I don't know what it is.


>>edit: here's a post with pics:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/hot...ml#post6337209

 

[RockinCannoisseur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by userlander /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, uDAC doesn't have line in for your iPod. If you're going in that direction though, and price isn't primary but SQ *is,* I would recommend getting the DAC-Extasy over the uDAC. It costs twice as much, but it definitely sounds better (imo). Size is about the same, with the DAC-Ex only a little bit bigger (I have a photo of both together somewhere - I'll try to find it). RCA and headphone outs, but like the uDAC, no input for your iPod. That's a hard one, not sure off the top of my head what has both - there must be something out there, but I don't know what it is. >>edit: here's a post with pics: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/hot...ml#post6337209

id like to see a side by side pic of the two. also im getting th e super pro dac mainly fo rthe toslink input, anyone compared tis optical toslink to the udac's usb,,??

 

[userlander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinCannoisseur /img/forum/go_quote.gif id like to see a side by side pic of the two. also im getting th e super pro dac mainly fo rthe toslink input, anyone compared tis optical toslink to the udac's usb,,??

The first pic is pretty close to side by side. The perspective on the second one makes the uDAC seem a lot smaller than it really is, though (or vice versa).

I wish I could take more pics but I don't have them both anymore. The DAC-Extasy sounded a lot better so I sold the uDAC.