[dudefromearth]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD800's and the Matrix M-Stage. The NuForce uDAC is my DAC, but I want to upgrade vastly.
 
What are some of the best?

 

[francoamerican]

Do you need USB?  
 
Are you opposed to used?
 
Is space an issue?

 

[DaveBSC]

Two very good choices would be a Wyred4Sound DAC-1, or an Audio-GD Ref 5.

 

[dura]

Two very good choices would be a Wyred4Sound DAC-1, or an Audio-GD Ref 5.

X2 for the Ref5; I've it since two weeks and I'm deeply impressed by it, it seems to do everything right: dynamics, tonality, soundstage, detail... I love it!

 

[dudefromearth]

 
Quote:

Do you need USB?  
 
Are you opposed to used?
 
Is space an issue?

Yes I need USB, I will be plugging the RCA from the matrix M-Stage into the DAC, and that into the USB port of my laptop. I have absolutely no problem with used, as long as it continues working.
 
Space is not a problem.
 
PS: I dont know a lot about this, like the sampling part, 96KB sampling for darker tones etc, I have no clue.

 

[Thaddy]

A used Cullen modified PS Audio DLIII would definitely be in your price range.  Here's one...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1285084317&/PS-Audio-digital-link-iii-cull

 

[francoamerican]

Benchmark DAC1 USB - used should be no more than $900.  Quite possibly will sound better direct to your phones than even using your headphone amp (which maybe will free up some more cash!)
 
FA

 

[ROBSCIX]

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.
I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 
The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.
Just an opinion.

 

[cburkard]

Quote:

A used Cullen modified PS Audio DLIII would definitely be in your price range.  Here's one...http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1285084317&/PS-Audio-digital-link-iii-cull

 
+1 on this.  I have a PSIII + Stage III Cullen modifications and it is very, very nice.

 

 

[dudefromearth]

Quote:

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.
I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 
The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.
Just an opinion.

what is a S/Pdif input DAC? Where can I get one?

 

[Dev Avidon]

Quote:

what is a S/Pdif input DAC? Where can I get one?

S/Pdif basically means toslink or coaxial.  As a general principle, at that price range, you're not going to get your money's worth from using USB as your connection method.  There are a multitude of problems with most USB receiver chips (clock/jitter issues, capped at 16/48, etc).

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

S/Pdif basically means toslink or coaxial.

 
Yes, there are 3 kinds of S/PDIF inputs:
 
1)  RCA Coaxial
2)  BNC Coaxial
3)  Toslink (and mini toslink) which is also known as Optical.
 

 

[francoamerican]

Quote:

I would say go with a used DAC as you will get more value for your money.  At that price range people take very good care of their components.
I would say go for a S/Pdif input DAC, you can add a USB based source if you want USB. 
The S/Pdif input gives you more options for higher quality S/Pdif sources.
Just an opinion.

Yes, I agree that looking at a used, well reviewed DAC from a few years ago would be a great way to go too.  That's why I asked if USB was necessary.  
 
How would you recommend hooking up the Coax (which conventional wisdom would say is the way to go - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm) to the USB?
 

 

[dudefromearth]

 
Quote:

Yes, I agree that looking at a used, well reviewed DAC from a few years ago would be a great way to go too.  That's why I asked if USB was necessary.  
 
How would you recommend hooking up the Coax (which conventional wisdom would say is the way to go - http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm) to the USB?
 

Would a digital audio cable enable me to? How would it?
 
I have Headphones> Matrix-M Stage Amp> RCA Cables> Nu-Force U-DAC> Computer (through NuForce USB cable), where would the digital audio cable/coaxial fit in?
 

 

[volume]

There will be a need for USB to SPDIF cover similar to the hi-face