[Big Red Machine]

I am going to "downsize" to a less expensive CDP and bring the Squeezebox into the mix.  I believe with an outboard DAC there should be less reason to modify the SB, especially if I end up with a tube output CDP.  My "plan" would be to send both thru the outboard DAC and have my choice of sound on the fly.  (note: I use a Cary 303/300 CDP with on-the-fly SS to tube output switching already.  But have a stock SB setting nearby waiting its turn)

So what are the top 5 choices in DACs?  I have looked at this, but it is over my $600 figure, but doubles as a preamp as well, although w/o remote volume control right now:  Monarchy M24 -

[JoshK]

The Monarchy is a strikingly similar dac to the Lite Audio DAC60...hint hint.     You could have Danny Ritchie or Sonic Craft (can't remember who does it) modify you the DAC60 for under the $600 mark and likely top the Monarchy. 

[Big Red Machine]

Thanks!

What about these offerings?

http://www.pacificvalve.us/SolidStateDacs.html

[JoshK]

I am not familiar with the DIYEden dacs.  Likely someone else here is.  The other Lite Audio Dacs don't attract *me* as much, although I've heard good things about some of them. 

[Big Red Machine]

The Monarchy is a strikingly similar dac to the Lite Audio DAC60...hint hint.     You could have Danny Ritchie or Sonic Craft (can't remember who does it) modify you the DAC60 for under the $600 mark and likely top the Monarchy. 

Isn't that DAC $470 before mods?  And the mods are $290?  Maybe I read it wrong.

[Loftprojection]

I use a Squeezebox with an MHDT Paradisea DAC.  That combo replaced a much more expensive CDP.  That combo gives me better sound quality and waaaayyy more convenience!  The best audio investment I've made, I was shocked when I did the first A/B test, usually you expect better when you pay more, not less!

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0406/mhdt_laboratory_dac.htm

[JoshK]

I guess I thought the mods were cheaper than that.  The MDHT Paradesea was (my brief listen) a very nice dac too.

[BradJudy]

Pete,

You can find some better pages on a couple of the DIYEden items here: http://ifiaudio.com/

There's another thread elsewhere discussing the M24 vs the DAC60.  In the end, the M24 is a good deal if you want an integrated pre/DAC and the DAC60 is good if you just want the DAC.

The MHDT Paradisea seems to be the flavor of the season - you have to watch for it on eBay as they don't seem to have any other sales channels. 

Of course, the Scott Nixon TubeDAC is a perennial favorite in this price range too. 

I haven't owned any of these, but there were a couple of DAC60's and a couple of MHDT Paradisea's at the RMAF last year that you may have noticed. 

[Jon L]

If you like the Cary sound, why not sell the 303/300 and get one of the Cary units with digital inputs?  306SACD is nice, but 306/200 will do nicely also. 

And there are mod outfits that can fit your 303/300 with either spdif input or USB input if you can't give up the SS vs. tube switching, though having heard both, I would stick with SS most of the time...

[Big Red Machine]

If you like the Cary sound, why not sell the 303/300 and get one of the Cary units with digital inputs?  306SACD is nice, but 306/200 will do nicely also. 

And there are mod outfits that can fit your 303/300 with either spdif input or USB input if you can't give up the SS vs. tube switching, though having heard both, I would stick with SS most of the time...

I was planning on selling that, funding this change, and pocketing some dough for other items.  I actually prefer the tube output on my Cary!

So you are saying it is possible to use the DAC and/or tube output for my SB thru mods to my Cary?  Who would be able to do this?

[warnerwh]

Bel Canto DAC 1.1 is an over achiever for 500 used. The VDA 2 from Channel Island audio is worth trying. I discussed it's design on the phone with Dusty and for 600 dollars you're getting a very amazing piece of gear. I know it measures incredibly well like the Benchmark but don't know how it sounds in my system. I know he offers a return policy. As a matter of fact I may buy one myself here one day but the old Bel Canto is extremely good. The Bel Canto Dac 2 is better and for 700 they're sold about as fast as they're listed on Audiogon.