What DAC to buy?

[jeycam]

Hey,
My current rig consists of a Beresford TC-7520 DAC and Creative Aurvana Live! headphones (which are rebranded Denon AH-D1001). In the closest future, I plan on upgrading the headphones to AKG K701 (heard them and loved them) and buying the Heed CanAmp (probably). The last thing I need is a DAC. I'd like to spend like $300-400 USD. It'd be nice if it had an USB input (but well, it's not really requied) and obviously, it has to be better than the Beresford of mine. I have nothing against of buying an used equipment too.

@Edit
Oh, it's my 100th post ^^

 

[jeycam]

No DAC better than a Beresford? Oh, come on, guys. How about a Paradisea?

 

[oldson]

you may need to aim higher. from what i read the beresford competes well in your budget range.

 

[jeycam]

Well, used Paradisea is like $450, right? Well, let's say I can afford up to $500 it if it's worth its price

As I said, I won't need DAC/Amp combo, as I'd have a standalone amp.

 

[oldson]

i think someone with more experience of numerous dacs, could better advise.
try sending a pm to someone in one of the paradisea threads.

 

[n3rdling]

Are you against buying used? If not, you could always look for vintage DACs on the cheap. From the DACs I've tried out, newer isn't always better. I actually prefer the sound of vintage DACs based on R2R ladder DAC chips, and some of them can be found within your budget easily.

 

[jeycam]

oldson, thanks, I'll probably do this.
n3rdling, I'm absolutely not, but I don't know any vintage DACs.

 

[mirh]

I have the same problem
The only difference is headphones: I use Denon AH-D2000.
My 7520 has been changed opamp (headphone out for LM4562NA and I also cut-off some caps ( MLC8 and MLC9 ) ). Now it really sounds good with my Denon and I'm wonder if I could find anything for about 1000$ (DAC and headamp) which will sound better and I don't mean subtle difference. I mean easily audible difference, but better of course.
I'm going to start with buying headamp first.
I'm tempted by Audio-gd c-2c. It is considered as one of the best SS amp in accordance to price/sound factor.
If I had headamp I could check how it would work with Beresford (as DAC) and try other DACs.
I think it is not good idea to buy a DAC first. IMO better is to buy a good headamp and than try to match a DAC for your combo (headamp + headphones)

 

[scootermafia]

if their sale is still going on you could snag a C2C and dac19 for a combo deal (10% off).