[bsuhy]

My new SB3 arrived yesterday and i just configured it and started playing music. I like it, but i am not sue I want to sell my cd player yet. My wife is thrilled, she now has all of our CD's at her fingertips and doesnt have to worry about playing 1 or 2 songs from a CD and then having to change it.

Any suggestions on a decent $500 or under DAC to use with this?

Thanks

[denjo]

Like you, I recently bought a SB3 and am loving every minute (make it second) of the experience!In fact, my DVD player has now been relegated to playing the odd movie, no more CDs spins with it!
I have tried the SB3 with a Paradisea DAC (which sounds better than the SB3's analog out) but the real delight is running it through my Altmann Attraction DAC (powered by AC to DC convertor). The sound already betters all the CDPs I have ever owned (Arcam, Quad, Philips 963) and even some that I have auditioned but did not buy (Audio Aero Prima Mk II). You are definitely on the right track. There are many other excellent DACs out there that will take your SB3 to a whole new level!

Best Regards
Dennis

[Double Ugly]

You might also consider speaking w/ Wayne @ Bolder Cable about having it modified.  It might be cheaper in the long run, and it will save you from trying to cover the stock unit's shortcomings with other components.

You'd have to hear one of Wayne's modified units to truly appreciate what I'm talking about, but trust me, the internal DAC isn't as bad as it may sound now.

Regards,

-Jim

[mcgsxr]

I have the Bolder mods myself, and am very happy.  I use the analog outs exclusively now.

What amp do you use?  I assume that it does not have a digital in, so that you can play around with using the amp's DAC in comparison etc?

I know several people who enjoy the SB3 with tube based DAC's...

[Loftprojection]

I have a RWA modified SB with the Paradisea DAC.  The modified RWA analog out of the SB is quite a bit better then the stock but the modified digital out to the Paradisea DAC is what made me sell my expensive CD player.  The Paradisea is a great DAC for its price if you change the stock tube it comes with for a WE or Bendix.  I've also read many good comments about the Altman but it's 2-3 times more expensive then the Paradisea.  The Bolder analog mod is supposed to be better then my RWA analog mod but to what extent I don't know.  What I like about the external Paradisea DAC is that I can use it for both music and movies.  I connect the BNC input in my SB and the optical input in my DVD player.  This also improved the sound of movies which is a nice touch for me.  There are also some other DACs in your budget range, you might want to check out the source forum on head-fi.net, there are a lot of people there who buy and sell DACs almost as often as I change my shorts!    You will find feedback on all sorts of cheap (<$500) DACs over there.  It can be a bit overwhelming to read all there is but it may help you decide.  For sure, at $500 you can't go wrong with the Paradisea but is there another DAC in that price range that has even more synergy with your kit, maybe!

Have fun shopping!

[tanchiro58]

Hi,

I am using a stock SB3 without any modifications connected to my modded MHDT Renaissance II (using chip DAC 1543 and I replaced the signal path and output caps with better high quality caps). My musics have less low noise than the Paradisea of my friend. 

Regards,
Tan    aa

[srayle]

Some of the Chinese DACs, such as any version of the Zhaolu series, or more expensive Citypulse 7.2, for example,
sound fabulous with the SB, and are low cost. Someone's listing a Zhaolu 2 DAC on Audiogon right now for $150 that will
give a MAJOR step up in sound with low cost.

[Paul_Bui]

My new SB3 arrived yesterday and i just configured it and started playing music. I like it, but i am not sue I want to sell my cd player yet. My wife is thrilled, she now has all of our CD's at her fingertips and doesnt have to worry about playing 1 or 2 songs from a CD and then having to change it.

Any suggestions on a decent $500 or under DAC to use with this?

Thanks

AudioSector "nude" DAC - $350.  It's built on a wooden base almost similar to the Altmann DAC but runs off AC.  Sonically it's a bit behind the Altmann DAC but not by so much.
Altmann DAC - enough said, but from 3 to 5 times more money.  It runs off a 12v battery.

[GHM]

Yes great advice on the DACs. I also own the Audio Sector and Paradisea DACs. Both of these DACs are EXTREMELY sensitive to transports. They do not contain reclockers, so they depend completely on the transport's clock.

Hook either one to a less than optimal transport(basic dvd player or cd player) ..you'll get less than optimal sound.
 I can understand where Loft projection is coming from. The Altmann comes with a dejitter device installed. This should make it much better sounding with any transport (even the not so good ones) compared to the others. I personally haven't heard it.

So far my favorite is the Paradisea. I also use it for movies and music run from a USB converter. Your SB3 should mate well from what I've read so far. You can expect even better from a digital modified one if they do indeed help the digital output, which these NON OS DACs thrive on.

[bsuhy]

thank you for all the replies, there are a lot of good suggestions that i am going to check out, starting with the paradisea.

[tdangelo]

thank you for all the replies, there are a lot of good suggestions that i am going to check out, starting with the paradisea.

If you do get the Paradisea,  you might want to look for a GE 5 STAR 5670 tube with black plates and D getters. Very nice tube thats fairly inexpensive.  I like it as much as the WE and the Bendix in my system

Tony

[Big Red Machine]

I am listing a brand new Paradesea for sale in just a few minutes.

[JLM]

A bit over your budget, but the Channel Island Audio VDA-2 is supposed to well respected for $600.  The matching power supply is supposed to be a worthwhile upgrade for another $150 and can be added later.

GHM/Paul Bui,

Please provide info on the Audio Sector unit.   

[Paul_Bui]

Jeff,

It's here:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51381&perpage=10&pagenumber=13