Cheap DACs

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BrassEar

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Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #80 on: 2 Feb 2010, 11:56 pm »

doctorcilantro

Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #81 on: 4 Feb 2010, 12:31 am »
Have you tried the tube pre-out on it?

Can you verify the USB does up to 96kHz...

thanks!
DC

I have it and it is fantastic.

Good thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/maverick-audio-dac-amp-446764/index62.html

Niteshade

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Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #82 on: 4 Feb 2010, 12:49 am »
I'm curious- has anybody looked into Creative Labs? The make a wide array of audio gear and much if it is reasonably priced.

http://us.store.creative.com/category/19937428181/1/Sound-Blaster.htm

doctorcilantro

Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #83 on: 4 Feb 2010, 02:12 am »
Most people do not speak highly of Creative products, but the pro EMU line, which was once an independent company I believe, is pretty good.

See their USB devices like 0202 and 0404.

I use a 1616m as a transport and clock it to a black sparrow.

Dc

blackzarg

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Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #84 on: 8 Feb 2010, 09:19 pm »
I'm surprised that the new NuForce uDAC has only been mentioned once. Take a look at the Head-Fi link:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/first-impressions-nuforce-udac-usb-dac-amp-line-out-s-pdif-out-456945/

It's a really well priced USB DAC, using the SabreDAC ES9022 chip, which outperforms the chip used in the Nuforce Icon Amp/DAC that was pretty highly praised.

There are various comparisons of the uDAC with other DACs (similarly priced and more) on that thread.

pardales

Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #85 on: 9 Feb 2010, 02:49 am »
The 7520 I had did have the upgraded opamps, but not sure if it had any other upgrades of the Caiman. I had a chance to hear it with stock opamps first and then the upgraded ones, and the upgraded ones were a real improvement.

Incidentally, I preferred the 7520 with upgraded op-amps to the full monty Caiman.

BrassEar

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Re: Cheap DACs
« Reply #86 on: 13 Feb 2010, 04:29 am »
Have you tried the tube pre-out on it?

Can you verify the USB does up to 96kHz...

thanks!
DC
Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, I am using the tube pre out and it is as good or better than any pre or DAC I have ever used. Sounds better than the Benchmark and DacMagic units IMO. I am using a NOS tube and upgraded opamps though.

I have only used the coax in but it plays 24/96 and plays it well.

This pre dac is one of the few giant killers I have ever found in over 30 years in this hobby.