[selkin]

I'm looking for a smaller USB (optical is ok too) DAC/AMP for my headphones. but the DAC/amp has to has an unamped RCA out..

Don't know where to start to look, I've done some search, none of the result were what I was looking for.

the D10 cobra is too expensive, I would like to keep it under $200 or even cheaper.

edit: the beresford has indeed rca out, but i'm interested in other devices as well.
add: and the TC-7520-10 is a bit sizey tbh. + and has only digital in as far as I can tell.

 

[FallenAngel]

Define "un-amped RCA out" - DAC chips generally can't drive interconnect cables so they use an output stage to so do - this can be a pure buffer (no voltage gain) or an amplifier (which has voltage gain).

Can't help much with choices.

 

[ChroniCali]

Look on Ebay.
Styleaudio and hifidiy.net have some good selections for cheaper DAC/AMP combinations.

 

[selkin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Define "un-amped RCA out" - DAC chips generally can't drive interconnect cables so they use an output stage to so do - this can be a pure buffer (no voltage gain) or an amplifier (which has voltage gain). Can't help much with choices.

I think I mean the pure buffer one. unamped.

 

[selkin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChroniCali /img/forum/go_quote.gif Look on Ebay. Styleaudio and hifidiy.net have some good selections for cheaper DAC/AMP combinations.

HIFIDIY MINI USB DAC-HIFIDIY this one looks exactly what I was thinking about.
small, it has analog and digital in, analog output as well (hopefully unamped), and has a HP out either.

too bad it's not on ebay

stylaudio looks great too, and there's a retailer in the uk

Do you think these little things are better than an avarage soundcard ?

 

[mark.s]

Audiotrak Prodigy Cube?

 

[selkin]

I had a Maya44 usb dac, didn't like its sound.... I wouldn't try ESI again.
(audiotrak seems to produce the same Maya stuff?)
but thanks for the suggestion

 

[SACD-Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by selkin /img/forum/go_quote.gif HIFIDIY MINI USB DAC-HIFIDIY this one looks exactly what I was thinking about. small, it has analog and digital in, analog output as well (hopefully unamped), and has a HP out either. too bad it's not on ebay stylaudio looks great too, and there's a retailer in the uk Do you think these little things are better than an avarage soundcard ?

I have been listening to the "Topaz" for the last few days and I must admit this is one amazing DAC/amp. The size is perfect for many applications!!

Thx,
Craig

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Blue Circle Thingy - I hear great things about it. It's not pretty but it is supposed to sound good and do exactly what you want for under $200.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f46/bl...hingee-229110/

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SACD-Man /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been listening to the "Topaz" for the last few days and I must admit this is one amazing DAC/amp. The size is perfect for many applications!! Thx, Craig

I might need to review one of those.

 

[fkclo]

The TOPAZ looks pretty attractive though not yet popular in this circle.

I am seriously considering getting one.

F. Lo

 

[selkin]

Yes it seems there's not much info about it here...
there's not many online dealers around either... and where you can buy it its a bit too expensive

thx for the bluecircle link HPAddict :>

add: where does this thing gets electricity from ?

anyway, I recentrly figured out that I just get a y1 and a keyboard with volume knob like this

Or just get a D10, use the AMP section for my HPs, use the Aux out for my active speakers and control the volume on the speakers in the same external way with the keyboard's knob.
this is the best I can come up with right now

 

[mail4u]

I've just brought the USB Thingee and feed it into my Musical Fidelity X-can v2. Cheap - $169 US. Very smooth tube-like sound giving a remarkably large soundstage with the Sennheiser HD580. It has a headphone jack, RCA outs and a digital out. However, I prefer my X-can to it's headphone out but as a DAC I'm very satisfied.

 

[selkin]

why there is HP out on it if no amp is present to drive it... what for? no one will use it.

 

[mail4u]

Quote:

Originally Posted by selkin /img/forum/go_quote.gif why there is HP out on it if no amp is present to drive it... what for? no one will use it.

Good question and I don't know the answer. However, it has an extremely high output but no volume control. It needs to be controlled from the computer. There must be some sort of simple gain boost in it. It's sound quality is actually quite good and listenable but not the equal of my X-can IMO. Blue Circle website gives no technical details but just mentions it has a headphone output.