[imeem]

Imeem said "i prefer to buy my dac in stores".


It's rare to see a DAC in a store, and when you do the price is bound to be at least 15% higher than online, so I'd suggest to take a serious look at sound-cards instead in that case.

pc sound cards are out of the options because one of my pci slot is being used. the other one, noting fits in it because i think I screwed in my motherboard badly and is a bit slanted.

Where in the world are you that sells DAC's in physical stores?


If you want a sound card, the Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 is recommended.

http://www.esi-audio.com/products/prodigyhd2/

is that product the same as this? http://audiotrack.net/en/pci/525

I am now considering buying a Audiotrak usb DAC/sound card from ebay (since it is an official page). what are your thoughts on this? http://audiotrack.net/en/usb/528

 

[Theta Alpha 1]

The first one you linked looks like it's called the Prodigy HD2 Advance DE, so it's some kind of improved edition.
 
The second one you linked, the Prodigy Cube, looks like a nice unit but I recall someone saying they didn't recommend it, so I think you can find a better USB DAC for the money.
 
 
For your PS3 audio you'll need a DAC with optical IN and RCA out, right?  Like this one, this one is popular http://www.ebay.com/itm/MUSE-HIFI-Fever-DAC-DIR9001-4-TDA1543-parallel-connection-Black-Power-Adapter-/221161940109

 

[imeem]

do you think i need a DAC for my ps3? I rarely listen to music on my ps3 and i find gaming audio to be fine.

I searched up the Prodigy Cube on head-fi and from like 5 opiniosn, they were either neutral or negative about it.

 

[Theta Alpha 1]

I think if you're spending over $200 then a DAC could improve your PS3 audio, but if you're going to spend low then it will be difficult to improve the PS3 audio.  The Muse I linked will sound different, at least, since it's not a normal sounding DAC.
 
 
If you're happy with your PS3 audio as it is, then you should skip the optical-in rca-out requirement which is hard to find.

 

[imeem]

I think if you're spending over $200 then a DAC could improve your PS3 audio, but if you're going to spend low then it will be difficult to improve the PS3 audio.  The Muse I linked will sound different, at least, since it's not a normal sounding DAC.


If you're happy with your PS3 audio as it is, then you should skip the optical-in rca-out requirement which is hard to find.

the Audioengine D1 seems like a perfect fit for my set up. But i don't think it's worth $169 (The same price i paid for my A2). Maybe i'll wait for a good sale for it since it has the outputs/inputs i want.


OR

do u think i should go for the E17 and buy the L7 for line out? Should still cost less than the Audioengine D1 @ full price and has the same input/outputs.

 

[Theta Alpha 1]

I've never been a fan of Fiio products, I think the iBasso D42 would be better for that price http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=79
 
For example it has dual DAC chips and is op-amp rollable.
 
Translation it's better.

 

[imeem]

what do you think about the NuForce udac 2? I'm trying to decide between this or that Audioengine D1 ($169). Which one is more worth it? I like how the D1 has optical input. 

 

[mvrk10256]

ODAC is in your price range too. 

 

[orelv]

If you offer odac why shouldn't he get the hifimediy sabre for less than half the price?

 

[Theta Alpha 1]

Quote:

If you offer odac why shouldn't he get the hifimediy sabre for less than half the price?

 
True, and then there is this one which sounds better than my Hifimediy anyway... www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-CM6631A-CS4398-24Bit-192Khz-Nonsyschronous-USB-DAC-W-Coaxial-Headphone-Out-/251300492816

 

[imeem]

Quote:

ODAC is in your price range too. 

for around $10 more, i could get the fiio e17+ l7 . Seems like a better deal since there's optical and coaxial in. Also, according to the website, the ODAC will not work on the nexus 4. 

 

[Theta Alpha 1]

Get the Fiio E18 instead.

 

[imeem]

k thx for your help guys. Bought the E17 just now for $99.99 . Now i just need to wait for the L7 to arrive. 
 
1 question, how should i feel if i cannot tell the difference between onboard and the Fiio E17? 

 

[convencon]

Quote:

 
True, and then there is this one which sounds better than my Hifimediy anyway... www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-CM6631A-CS4398-24Bit-192Khz-Nonsyschronous-USB-DAC-W-Coaxial-Headphone-Out-/251300492816

Hi Theta,
 
How would you rate this DYI DAC? Any good?