[smbrown]

I'm new to PC based audio, but recently set up a Apple Mac Book Pro with PureMusic and loaded about 100 CDs so far. For output I'm going to a HagTech USB to Spifdif converter then to a Monica DAC (from DIY Paradise). That then goes to my preamp. I'm thinking about upgrading my DAC and potentially combining the USB converter into a USB DAC. I'm wondering about general preferences from folks here, and in particular, has anyone compared the Monica DAC to Benchmark's USB DAC1? Thanks!

[roscoeiii]

A couple thoughts to consider:

1) the line of USB powered DACs from HRT. The Streamer II, II+ and Pro are all great products. Pick one at your preferred price point and check it out. The Pro is balanced only, and needs more power from the USB port than the others. In a non-balanced system, I might go with the II+ instead. Saves some cable/adaptor hassles as well. Music Direct carries this line of DACs, so you could use their 30 day return policy if you don't like the DAC.

2) Firewire DACs. I believe that the MacBook Pro has a Firewire out. Firewire is generally considered the superior interface for audio over USB. There are a few pricepoints you could hit with Firewire, although your choices are more limited here. Apogee has some nice options IIRC. In a much more expensive price range, there is the Weiss DAC2, which sounds wonderful.

3) If you are using USB out, then the USB interface of the DAC is important. The HiFace is one way to get around that. The other is to go with DACs that have well designed USB implementations. The HRT Streamers are all async 24/96 USB implementations, which is a step up from most USB approaches which are not async, and can't handle hi-rez files.

Hope this helps.

[owelter]

There is  lot of good dac out there. It's all about budget really. sub $500 you have the Chinese products ( xindac dac5, yulong d100, zhaolu d3, musiland, citypulse. etc...), the dacmagic from cambridge, and the Vdac from MF.
have a look at this forum:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/list/7

I am wondering why you don't use the optical out from your macbook pro instead of converting from usb??? ( the optical out is the headphones out and uses a little adapter on a classic optical fiber cable )

I use a similar setup at home, macbook optical out to citypulse 2.03e and that sounds pretty nice to me.
hope this help.

Oliv

[JLM]

Tranquilty, Wyred for Sound, and Eastern Electric DAC's are obvious options.  The Eastern Electric is the cheapest and with all digital inputs in your system could eliminate the need for a pre-amp.

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