[lokie]

For kids room.

Cheap Ebay Chinese kit ok but would like for it to be stable and decent sounding.

Would prefer a case but would consider just the board as long it's completed w power supply.

[newzooreview]

I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with a Schiit Modi: http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

Made in the USA with a 2-year warranty and still just $99.

I've had two other Schiit DACs and each has been excellent for the price.

[borism]

I am not sure how cheap you are thinking but an HRT Music Streamer 3 can be bought new for ~ $150 and used ones for half that. The Streamer has very decent sound.
Good luck!

[Doublej]

My money is on the yet to be released $99 Audioquest Dragonfly.

[tvyankee]

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6?tag=tbpre-20

Even the guy who designed the odac said it wasn't that bad.

[cody69]

I needed an inexpensive USB DAC over the holidays for a system I was gifting to a relative and went with Dragonfly DAC. The price was right and I've used one for several years in my desktop system and its worked well for me. Since you mention a kids room, be sure the form factor works.... the dragonfly plugs into PCs USB port and sticks out a few inches, making it vulnerable to impact. Also note, there is a 1.0 version that is discontinued, but still available for reduced price.

I've had an HRT streamer in one of my systems for a number of years and it has worked flawlessly.

No experience with Modi-2, but it would be high on my list.

[jarcher]

How "cheap" are we talking here? Less than $100? Less than $300?

[dB Cooper]

I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with a Schiit Modi: http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

+1. Also the steel enclosure makes it feel solid.

[ctviggen]

I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with a Schiit Modi: http://schiit.com/products/modi-2

Made in the USA with a 2-year warranty and still just $99.

I've had two other Schiit DACs and each has been excellent for the price.

I have an Audioquest Drygonfly, but had I known about the Schiit, I'd have bought that.  The Schiit looks more substantial.  Have no idea which would sound better.

[charmerci]

I have the ODAC and it sounds really good on my system for the price.

[Odal3]

If you want super cheap and simple setup for kids and family, perhaps a Google chromecast audio device would work. You can find them for $25 -$35.  Neat little device that is a good match with spotify, youtube, internet radio quality streaming sources.

The other benefit is that it let's you get rid of the direct computer connection since you  control it wireless like a streamer via phone, tablet or laptop.

Output is via toslink or built in dac.

I'm sure a high quality dedicated dac is better but at least my kids are not sensitive  enough to pick up a difference in a loud noisy room.

Here's a good summary of it: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/677-basic-bit-perfect-testing-35-chromecast-audio/

[lokie]

Looking at this one:

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/111294316410?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Odal3]

Interesting. Have you seen any reviews on it?

You can get good prices on the hifimediy dacs as well. Here's for example their SABRE 9018 for $69
http://hifimediy.com/DACs/Sabre-9018-DAC?sort=p.price&order=ASC

Note this one doesn't play hi-rez but they have others that do.

[L1C4]

Dragonfly Dav v1.2 is good for portable use. Modi is also really nice and has RCA outs.