Feanor Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I'm looking for budget priced but relatively great sounding DAC with DSD capabilities. I guess I'd also favor an ESS Sabre-based design and I would like USB. Any suggestions? Currently I'm using a Schiit Bifrost Multibit which is great in most respects but lacks DSD capability. For comparison ... Audio-GD NFB-1DAC Gustard DAC-X12 Link to comment
bogi Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 If you don't need balanced output I consider to be very good budget option also Denon DA-300 USB. ebay prices are from $250 + shipping, IMO the price/value ratio is exceptional. Although DA-300 USB it is not Sabre based, it provides similar sound, which could be characterized as rather analytical than warm or relaxed. It uses the same DAC chip as the well known Teac UD-501. It is PCM1795, which enables direct path of DSD data to the D/A stage without any digital manipulation in DAC. It supports DSD128 and 192k (not 384k) for PCM. DA-300 USB contains also headphone amplifier, but that part is not on the level of DAC. I had the opportunity to compare DA-300 USB with my Gustard DAC-X10. IMO DA-300 USB provided a slightly higher level of detail than my Gustard. I could test and compare with my Gustard also the iFi Nano iDSD, which is another budget category DAC. Nano's sound was involving, it provided very nice timbre of instruments, but without improving USB input with some aid Nano sounded me veiled in comparison with DA-300 USB. I consider DA-300 USB to be a better DAC than Nano, but that is only my personal opinion, these DACs sound differently. i7 11850H + RTX A2000 Win11 HQPlayer ► Topping E50 ► DIY headamp DHA1 ►HiFiMan HE-500 Link to comment
Panelhead Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I'm looking for budget priced but relatively great sounding DAC with DSD capabilities. I guess I'd also favor an ESS Sabre-based design and I would like USB. Any suggestions? Currently I'm using a Schiit Bifrost Multibit which is great in most respects but lacks DSD capability. For comparison ... Audio-GD NFB-1DAC Gustard DAC-X12 There are three or four models. The basic Pulse is RCA output and headphone on 1/4". They are a year or so old and sell for 200.00 - 300.00. Chip is a Sabre 9018 and the volume controller is great. I am fairly sure there is not a preamp as good for the same money. Plus lots of inputs. A real bargain. The price goes up from there. 2012 Mac Mini, i5 - 2.5 GHz, 16 GB RAM. SSD, PM/PV software, Focusrite Clarett 4Pre 4 channel interface. Daysequerra M4.0X Broadcast monitor., My_Ref Evolution rev a , Klipsch La Scala II, Blue Sky Sub 12 Clarett used as ADC for vinyl rips. Corning Optical Thunderbolt cable used to connect computer to 4Pre. Dac fed by iFi iPower and Noise Trapper isolation transformer. Link to comment
Feanor Posted January 30, 2016 Author Share Posted January 30, 2016 If you don't need balanced output I consider to be very good budget option also Denon DA-300 USB. ebay prices are from $250 + shipping, IMO the price/value ratio is exceptional. Although DA-300 USB it is not Sabre based, it provides similar sound, which could be characterized as rather analytical than warm or relaxed. It uses the same DAC chip as the well known Teac UD-501. It is PCM1795, which enables direct path of DSD data to the D/A stage without any digital manipulation in DAC. It supports DSD128 and 192k (not 384k) for PCM. DA-300 USB contains also headphone amplifier, but that part is not on the level of DAC. I had the opportunity to compare DA-300 USB with my Gustard DAC-X10. IMO DA-300 USB provided a slightly higher level of detail than my Gustard. ... I could add that I very appreciate great detail, transparency, and resolution. Also, a headphone amp or volume control wouldn't be useful for me, but that balanced output would be. (My preamp and amp are fully balanced.) Link to comment
oldson Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 not a sabre but have read some good things about the Aune S16 PC(flac/foobar/wasapi)>Ifi Micro Idsd>Headphone correction filter>Garage 1217, Project Ember/Violectric V200>HD800>Old Git Link to comment
Feanor Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 not a sabre but have read some good things about the Aune S16 Thanks. Yes, think the Aune S16 should be on my list. Having the Sabre DAC isn't essential for me. Link to comment
clipper Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 The Eastern Electric Minimax Junior ($850, I think) sounds fantastic if you can upsample everything to DSD128. ESS9018... Link to comment
Feanor Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 The Eastern Electric Minimax Junior ($850, I think) sounds fantastic if you can upsample everything to DSD128. ESS9018... Looks like the 'Junior' is worthy of consideration, though the price is a tad high and it doesn't have balanced output. I live in Canada and in the last year and a half the Canadian dollar has dropped 25% vs. USD on account of the drop in oil prices. Electronics, especially US-made have accordingly gone up in price by 25%. According an USD 850 unit imported from the USA will cost me with exchange, duties, taxes, brokerage, and shipping will cost me roughly CAD 1400. Link to comment
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