What low cost non-oversampling DAC's are out there?

[elnero]

It's been awhile since I was poking around looking for a low cost non-oversampling DAC. I seem to remember there were a few on eBay that were going pretty cheap but I'm not finding much now. I'm particularly interested in the lowest possible cost, $100 - $300, smallest possible footprint, either commercial or custom built by a DIY'er. Please post any info, links, etc. or if you're a DIY'er interested in building one PM me.

 

[clarke68]

The Scott Nixon Chibi
The DAC-AH from Hong Kong
The Monica 2 if you want to do a little diy work.

I've never heard any of them, but am curious about all of them.

 

[elnero]

Thanks, those look interesting. I'm familiar with the Scott Nixon but don't like how the input/outputs are implemented. The other two look interesting, particularly the Monica2 if I could figure away to get it built. Anyone have anymore info on it?

Does anyone remember one that had a semi-transparent case with blue led's that, if I remember correctly, was being sold on eBay?

There is also the V3.1 Digital Renaissance and I've seen other cheaper designs by this seller as well. Anyone know anything about him or his products?

 

[StevieDvd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero Does anyone remember one that had a semi-transparent case with blue led's that, if I remember correctly, was being sold on eBay?

Yep, I've got one. Recased it into a hammond as the acrylic case was not to my liking. I usually run it from a 12v SLA to get the cleanest power and also save on power sockets.

Don't use it much though as it does not improve on my CD player (Creek CD50) and I now use the Fiduadio adapter on my Emu0404. It does pull up the quality on a common DVD player though.

Ebay id of the seller is derek_shek

Steve

 

[clarke68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero The other two look interesting, particularly the Monica2 if I could figure away to get it built. Anyone have anymore info on it?

It seems pretty easy to build...the board comes built & tested, you just add input & output jacks & a power supply. Batteries would not only be easiest but, according to many, the best sounding.

A little more info here
even more info here

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieDvd ...Ebay id of the seller is derek_shek

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll look into that. Quote:

Originally Posted by clarke68 It seems pretty easy to build...the board comes built & tested, you just add input & output jacks & a power supply. Batteries would not only be easiest but, according to many, the best sounding. A little more info here even more info here

I've never tackled such thing so the prospect would be pretty daunting, plus I don't have many of the tools that would be necessary.

The board looks pretty small, I wonder if there would be any chance of building it as a portable with a rechargable battery + wall wart?

 

[dwc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero There is also the V3.1 Digital Renaissance and I've seen other cheaper designs by this seller as well. Anyone know anything about him or his products?

I bought the digital renaissance (tube output, 1543 chip) off ebay and am very happy with it. The builder ships incredibly quickly. I only have the dac in my deq 2496 to compare to (and the dac in my jvc receiver) but it is clearly better than both of those. It is really nice in the high end. When I run my HK dvd player into this dac and then into the ppx3 it really sounds great. The downside is that it tends to make me stay up until 2am listening to music and my wife thinks I have an insomnia problem now.

-Dan