suggestions for some good quality, cheap DAC needed!!

[nichifanlema]

Okay, I purchased an Entech Number Cruncher 203.2 on ebay, but the seller screwed up with shipping, so I think I will just get my money back...

I've never used a DAC before, and I am planning to get a Stello DA100 in wintertime...

So I need some suggestions for a Good performance/build quality, in a price range somewhere under <$100. Other great Bang-for-the buck DAC's are welcome too..

 

[soloz2]

try for the number cruncher again, or get a DAC in the box from Eddie.

 

[nichifanlema]

any other inputs?

if I go with Number Cruncher, 203.2 or 205.2?

 

[jimholt]

If you could wait and save a little more how about the Lite Audio Dac-Ah.

 

[mrarroyo]

For $100 you could also consider a Silverstone EB01 or an used Foobar.

 

[Herandu]

A pity you can't manage up to U$150 including shipping costs. Otherwise I would suggest you do a search for the Beresford TC-7510 comments on head-fi. That is a killer price for a DAC that is a far better performer than its price suggest.

 

[nichifanlema]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herandu A pity you can't manage up to U$150 including shipping costs. Otherwise I would suggest you do a search for the Beresford TC-7510 comments on head-fi. That is a killer price for a DAC that is a far better performer than its price suggest.

aren't there two kinds of TC-7510's?

 

[HeatFan12]

You can get the TCC-TC7510 from phonopreamps.com...I sent them an email and they advised me it's the same DAC as the Beresford 7510...Another poster had mentioned some distortion problems with the Beresford, but phonopreamps said they have never had any distortion problems with the TCC...
I was contemplating the 7510, but went with the Zhaolu 2.5C...
Jes

 

[Gone4T]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichifanlema aren't there two kinds of TC-7510's?

Just the BL (black) version and the CH (champagne) models pictured below.

HeatFan12 ". . . Another poster has mentioned some distortion problems with the Beresford"

I've had my 7510 for a few weeks and there are definitely no distortion problems here in fact quite the reverse,this miniature DAC sounds bl@@dy marvellous and from the first switch on it was obviously a keeper.

NB The heading, I'm eating crow and lots of it and in this case I'm more than happy to make the admission 'cos this thing sounds sooo goooood

I don't know the digital free to air transmissions in the rest of the world but in the UK we have Freeview - currently 92 TV channels (many repeated and rubbish) and 31 Radio channels,many of these Freeview radio transmissions are at a higher bit rate than DAB radio and using the supplied toshlink out of an ex-discarded Pace 210F digi box into the Beresford TC-7510 some of these radio programmes are a complete revelation and IMO outstanding.

I'm very pleased that TEC/Beresford had the foresight to include 2 optical and 2 coaxial inputs because I'm surely not alone having other devices with opti or coax outputs..

PS I think one of the reasons for this DAC's superb performance is the ultra short signal paths and the isolation of the DAC board from the main switching/headphone amplification pcb.

Photo by smartins.

 

[smartins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatFan12 You can get the TCC-TC7510 from phonopreamps.com...I sent them an email and they advised me it's the same DAC as the Beresford 7510...Another poster had mentioned some distortion problems with the Beresford, but phonopreamps said they have never had any distortion problems with the TCC... I was contemplating the 7510, but went with the Zhaolu 2.5C... Jes

It was me who mentioned the distortion problem but I do believe this is a problem with this specific unit, not the whole batch.

The seller will be sending me an updated unit for free (really!) and I'll then compare the one I have here with the new one and return one or the two if I wish for a refund.

The seller is a great guy to deal with and he's willing to improve the product based on the suggestions received, so you the most you can lose is the shipping costs both ways since there's a refund policy.

I'll soon have a Lavry DA-10, Entech 203.2 and possibly a Stello DA100 to compare with the Beresford and I'll post back my comments one I've had time to compare all DACs over time.