[SilverEars]

  What's your price range? 
 
Again, the ODAC is a very fine entry level solution...but the HD800s are not going to sound their best with entry level solutions.

So, is it the pricing? So, I paid too little, so therefore it's entry level solution?  What should i pay for the fine non dry, and detailed solution?

 

[MacedonianHero]

  So, is it the pricing? So, I paid too little, so therefore it's entry level solution?  What should i pay for the fine non dry, and detailed solution?

No, not the pricing...there are great mid-priced DACs that sound fantastic and crappy...same for really pricey. That's where experience comes in. But if you wouldn't spend more than say $500, then why would I suggest a DAC that costs more? 

  I'm trying here....but seems you've made up your mind.

 

[pearljam50000]

What's the best 500$ DAC, or less, with HD800?

 

[Canadian411]

Best DAC = lampizator big 7.

It beats pretty much every dacs from the review.

But I don't think I can afford one yet.
Perhaps our friend Al can do some review for us

 

[Sonido]

What's the best 500$ DAC, or less, with HD800?

I like my Emotiva DC-1. I tried some expensive DACs at a meet through my own amp and HD800 and library, and nothing immediately jumped out. Of course I only had like 10 minutes with the other DACs and it was meet environment. I'm sure there are subtle difference, but that's mostly what most the differences in gear are at this level.

 

[Maxvla]

FWIW I actually like the ODAC + O2 pair with the HD800, but it does lack somewhat in dynamic contrast. I thought detail and timbres were pretty good. I could certainly listen to it at length.

 

[longbowbbs]

FWIW I actually like the ODAC + O2 pair with the HD800, but it does lack somewhat in dynamic contrast. I thought detail and timbres were pretty good. I could certainly listen to it at length.

Chris, have you tried the Geek Out 1000 with the HD800's? Pretty nice for the price and portability.

 

[Zoom25]

What's the best 500$ DAC, or less, with HD800?

 
I would highly recommend the Emotiva DC-1 (remember it was initially priced at $899 or something like that). I just got it and haven't done full on reviews, but it definitely keeps up with my DM Source as a DAC. In contrast, the DM Source I've now had for a few months and that definitely does keep up with the like of Bryston BDA-2 mk2 (non sampling mode), NAD M51, Arcam D33. I've heard all of these dacs with totl amps, totl transports, power supplies and speakers (KEF ref, PSB, Focals, active monitors - Genelecs, ATC) I'm seriously not even exagerrating how good the Source is as a DAC. The M51 was the most neutral, followed by BDA-2 and then D33 which was laid back.

So following that logic if the DM Source is on par with those DACs, and the Emo DC-1 is close with DM Source, then DC-1 is roughly equal to those DACs. It indeed does mirror Gary's comments. Again, the DC-1 I've had little time with, but so far it seems excellent value with excellent performance.
 
Of course, there's always ODAC. 

 

[Zoom25]

 
I like my Emotiva DC-1. I tried some expensive DACs at a meet through my own amp and HD800 and library, and nothing immediately jumped out. Of course I only had like 10 minutes with the other DACs and it was meet environment. I'm sure there are subtle difference, but that's mostly what most the differences in gear are at this level.

Beat me to it

 

[koiloco]

  X2
 
The GS-X Mk2 is the pinnacle of HD800 amps that I've come across (and I've heard them with dozens of really good amps; both SS and tube, high and low output impedance)...any comments without first hand experiences should be taken with plenty of salt. 

Great/excellent! Yes but pinnacle could be a little strong... 

  Have you tried HD800 on Liquid Glass?  If yes, what's your opinion?  I haven't so I am curious.  Thx.

 

[bearFNF]

Well I actually am liking my bifrost uber with the HD800, but I would suggest listening to some gear at a meet or expo to see what you like.

What's the best 500$ DAC, or less, with HD800?

 

[Maxvla]

Chris, have you tried the Geek Out 1000 with the HD800's? Pretty nice for the price and portability.

I haven't tried any of the LH stuff, mostly because I don't like how they are constantly changing their crowd sourcing benefits and such. They keep offering way too many options and redesigning stuff so much I am completely lost as to what they actually make. On another site people actually requested a roadmap for the LH stuff so they could figure out what was what, so I'm not alone.

 

[longbowbbs]

 

Chris, have you tried the Geek Out 1000 with the HD800's? Pretty nice for the price and portability.

I haven't tried any of the LH stuff, mostly because I don't like how they are constantly changing their crowd sourcing benefits and such. They keep offering way too many options and redesigning stuff so much I am completely lost as to what they actually make. On another site people actually requested a roadmap for the LH stuff so they could figure out what was what, so I'm not alone.

No argument there....It is like buying an amoeba! I have a fully dressed out Geek Pulse on order, I think.....

. However, it has been fun to take the HD800's on the road. The DF could drive the HD650's OK, but it crapped out on the HD800's. 

 

[pearljam50000]

I'm considering the Emotiva DC-1 and Teac UD301:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00L9HZ5QW?cache=78ee52bccc4d352643d7811c999d8bc8&pi=SX200_QL40&qid=1404702402&sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2


The thing is i can't also afford an amp, so the built in amp must be good enough.
The Emotiva sounds promising, but lacks DSD, the Teac has DSD.
It's so hard to decide ):

 

[Sonido]

The built-in headphone amp in the DC-1 is quite atrocious to be honest, especially with HD800. It's actaully quite terrible with every headphones I've thrown at it.