[blackthorne77]

I see a few people here that have the Zhalou DAC's. I was looking at the Zhaolu DAC D3.0 with TG-Link (what the hell is a TG-link anyway?), and the Zhaolu D2.5C DAC w/ Headphone Amp Upgrade. Basically, I wanted a USB DAC with RCA outputs and great sound. I have $300(approx) I can spend. I was gonna buy the trends UD-10 as a Digital transport to go from USB to optical if I cant find a good USB DAC. I am not A DIYer so kits are out. I love my Trends TA 10.1 and want to hook this up to my computer through a USB DAC. My speakers I will be using are Klipsch RF-62's. Or I might hook it up to my Little dot II++ headmap and Senn HD 580's.

 

[kpeezy]

You just missed an Entech 245.2 Number Cruncher

Keep an eye out on audiogon as well.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Check audiogon. I am working an old Theta Dac for around $220. I also got a nice PS Audio Dac for $150. Both are better than the Zhalou. Modded, the Zhalou is better but more than $400.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpeezy /img/forum/go_quote.gif You just missed an Entech 245.2 Number Cruncher Keep an eye out on audiogon as well.

Yeah, but the Entech 245.2 isn't USB capable. Otherwise I would have bought his personal unit that still had the phase switch.

I was exchanging quite a few PMs with the guy, having a friendly discussion.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Usb kind of sucks. there is a lot of noise in it. you are much better off optical or coax.

 

[kpeezy]

Aww 245.2 not USB? I guess I just assumed

I just got a Zhaolu 2.5A but haven't gotten to test it yet. I have an AV710 coming soon.

 

[sejarzo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspliff /img/forum/go_quote.gif Usb kind of sucks. there is a lot of noise in it. you are much better off optical or coax.

That all depends on the USB implementation, it's not an across-the-board truth.

 

[fordgtlover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspliff /img/forum/go_quote.gif Usb kind of sucks. there is a lot of noise in it. you are much better off optical or coax.

I'm happy with my USB out. It has no more discernable noise than my NAD CD player.

 

[riverlethe]

Unless the noise is in binary code, how could it have any impact on the sound quality?

 

[robert1325]

Checkout Diyparadise Monica 2 USB, I just got it this afternoon and the sound is realy great ! Very full/warm and transparant without being harsh (analog sound) Black background also .

It's available both in a box and naked ( only hook up some RCA cables and Power supply) , I also ordered some PIO capacitors for the output.

It has the benefits of direct USB connection without any jitter causing SPdif conversion. there are not a lot of USB DACs that offer this at the 130-250 dollar price point.

 

[Tachikoma]

I've heard the zhaolu 2.5 in stock form and I wasn't impressed. It had a really narrow soundstage and no bottom end, compared to my own DAC (which was also in stock form at that point), a discontinued M-audio SuperDAC.

 

[Maniac]

May I blatantly recommend the USB DAC that I'm selling?

The tech detail and RMAA can be found in a post in Audio Circle (it is long, and posting it all here doesn't seem to be prudent...

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/i...?topic=44975.0

It is a USB DAC designed for one purpose only, USB interfaced DAC, and I would say that it does the job quite well. I sell them direct and via ebay, and I do follow up after the sale to make sure all of the buyers are happy with their purchase. So far all of them seem to like it a lot (according to my mail and ebay feedback )


I'm somewhat involved in the tuning and design of this DAC, and if you got any questions about this DAC (or other stuff in general), I'd be happy to discuss it with everyone.

 

[midnite8791]

that is quite the nice looking dac!

 

[donunus]

bump on the zhalou 3s performance. compare them to a lavry for instance

 

[tea-head]

Puttin' my 2 cents in for Peters Deluxe DAC kit with USB. I got mine assembled and mounted on a maple board. It has a Hammond transformer, IEC connection to switch cords if you want. He has a thread on diyaudio. His fancy chassis model sells for $900. Mine was $350 delivered. 1 USB input and 1 pair Cardas RCA outs...it rocks, period. 3"x6"

pRAT in spades...body, slam, yet with plenty detail and 'air'. The sonics are palpable...

Zhalou is a little bright for my tastes...

ciao, tea