DACs... what to buy?!

[Drosophila]

I have been snooping a bit around for a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to connect my desktop with my set-up at home. I don't have super-duper hi-fi setup but it still works pretty well for me so far! A have a old but Rotel amplifier and some Tannoy speakers. So I don't need a high end DACs I see the price range are pretty ridiculous (as all high end hi-fi ).

 

I have been looking at a DAC from a company called Schiit () and it looks rather nice and the especially compared to the price (I think!?). It comes in a USB (~450$) and one with only S/PDIF (optical and coaxial) (~350$).

 

 

 

http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=7

 

Do any of you guys have any experience with DACs and what to look for (look out for)?! Or if it is worth throwing money after in the first place?!

[KozmikTentacles]

I'm using a Meier-Audio StageDAC (I beleive it is €500) since two months back. Been very happy with it so far.

[Drosophila]

Nice, I just looked at their website, looks good... out of stock though What type of connecting cable are you using?!

[KozmikTentacles]

from the computer to the DAC I'm using a simple optical cable. from the DAC to the headphone-amplifier I'm using the cable that came along as a freebee, a Tech+Link RCA cable. I have others to try with, an Audioquest cable that has been €400 as new. Also a Zu cable. But I'm selling both of them since I couldn't tell difference in sound when compared with the cheaper cable.

[KozmikTentacles]

I have experience of another DAC. From a Swedish brand called Harmnony Design (the model is called DA9). It's excellent, but I find that it works better in my speaker setup, rather than my headphone-setup.

[needle ninja]

Don't spend anything less than $40,000

 

Seriously though this should be fine:

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=872

[Drosophila]

Thanks guys

 

 

I wasn't aware of the DacMagic Plus (don't know how I missed that?!)... looks good, I am a bit weary about the up-scaling feature. I have heard from different opinions om this topic from haters to lovers.. I am not sure how to deal with this?! I mean can understand the principle of garbage in and garbage out.. don't understand how lesser sound quality can actually be up-scaled?!? Do you have any thoughts on that?!

[needle ninja]

There is some way of making digital music sound 'warmer' - that is less digital.

I have VSTs for my DAW that do it and I don't know if they make it sound better or if it's just a gimmic.

You may or may not hear a difference.

[abasio]

So what did you end up getting?

[Mantra604]

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 / MOTU Audio Express/ MOTU 4pre FireWire/USB

(expensive but good