[funkz]

Hi all,
I've been trying to search for threads about these products, but seems the search function ignores anything you try to do, rips out keywords and searches with an 'OR' logic. I tried +"Pro.Dac", +Pro +Dac, etc.

Anyway, I'm new to the DAC world. I just built a new PC and am going to get a Chaintech AV-710, and looking to stick a DAC in between this and my Hi-Fi amp. Seems DACs aren't cheap, so I'm looking at something on the lower end, but something that is of half decent quality.

Was looking at COEM Audio, and they have a couple of nice little DACs which are within my price range. There's the DAC In The Box and Pro.DAC. Looks like the difference is a USB input and up to 192KHz for the Pro.Dac.

Has anyone had any experience with these, are they any good? Should I get one? I guess I'd get the DAC In A Box because I don't really need USB, just optical.

Cheers.

 

[funkz]

Quote:

The receiver chip is the CS8416 and the DAC chip used is the CS4398.

I just checked these out, they are both 192KHz, so the difference is just a USB port. Any thoughts on the DAC In The Box?

 

[bluebeard]

These tow threads discuss the Dacs you're talking about.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/new...73/index1.html

and

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/gu...00/index1.html

I personally had a Dac in the Box for a month but the psu noise just got to me and I upgraded to a Lite Dac-ah Modded from Coem. Couldn't be happier now. I should point out that I didn't run the Dac from a computer but rather a PCDP.

regards,

Giles

 

[poo]

If you haven't already, you should email COEM about it too. Pretty decent guys - up front and honest from my experience...

 

[funkz]

Ok cool. I have placed an order for the DAC In A Box. Don't need the USB version.

Awaiting arrival of my new Chaintech AV-710 card too...

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[funkz]

Okay, I received the stuff and have it going in Vista x64. The sound quality is amazing - so much better than my laptop headphone out plugged into my amp. Was always an impedance mismatch but my only option.

My setup goes like this:
Chaintech AV-710 -> S/PDIF optical 2ch 24-bit 96KHz -> DAC-In-The-Box -> RCA stereo -> Sherwood 2ch amp.

Sound is so natural, deep and detailed and sounds like the response curve has been hit by a steaming iron. Much flatter!

Whole setup only cost me about $150 and in my opinion, was worth it.

 

[FinnishPower]

im also from Australia and been having trouble finding places that sell the Chaintech AV-710, where did you get yours from and how much?

 

[funkz]

I got it from a dude on here 2nd hand for $30. He has another, new in box for $60. If you want, I can forward you his username. Otherwise just keep an eye on the for sale, and do some searching. Even add a WTB post maybe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinnishPower /img/forum/go_quote.gif im also from Australia and been having trouble finding places that sell the Chaintech AV-710, where did you get yours from and how much?

 

[FinnishPower]

hrmm just did a bit more searching and found this

Unique Infotech: Chaintech AV710 7.1 Channel PCI Soundcard

 

[RockinCannoisseur]

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay, I received the stuff and have it going in Vista x64. The sound quality is amazing - so much better than my laptop headphone out plugged into my amp. Was always an impedance mismatch but my only option. My setup goes like this: Chaintech AV-710 -> S/PDIF optical 2ch 24-bit 96KHz -> DAC-In-The-Box -> RCA stereo -> Sherwood 2ch amp. Sound is so natural, deep and detailed and sounds like the response curve has been hit by a steaming iron. Much flatter! Whole setup only cost me about $150 and in my opinion, was worth it.

so this does worl with vista, im assuming it was the super pro? or both the dac in the box too/

does anyone use the dac in th ebox with vista 64 bit?

 

[funkz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockinCannoisseur /img/forum/go_quote.gif so this does worl with vista, im assuming it was the super pro? or both the dac in the box too/ does anyone use the dac in th ebox with vista 64 bit?

Yeah I cant remember which one it is but it looks just like the Pro.Dac MKII minus the USB port. I'm using optical, so it doesn't matter about Vista/7. I have had some issues with the driver in Win 7 (x64) but it still works fine overall.