[xraycat]

I've got a pair of M-Audio BX5a studio monitors running through a BX10a sub and would like to connect it to my PC sidestepping the onboard DAC of my motherboard.
I'd also require an amplified headphone output and hardware volume control. Finally, I'd like to have the option to connect an analog source to the DAC/amp to play through my speakers as well.
I'd either use optical S/PDIF or USB as output from my PC and the DAC would need to have RCA or 1/4" TRS outputs.

There are quite a few models out there with these features. A few come to mind:

• Yulong U100
• Maverick TubeMagic D1
• Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi HD USB

Does anyone have other options I should be looking at? Obviously from the list I've given my budget is low and I have no problem buying second hand or used.

Thansk

[ltr317]

I haven't heard the Yulong or Creative but I own one of the original Maverick D1 DAC/headphone amps and it's quite good for the low cost.  The factory tube is not very good but there are many substitute tubes available to shape the sonic character to your liking. 

[Letitroll98]

I would strongly suggest one of the Audio GD units for your application as USB will be your main source and Mr. Qinghua is using some of the most advanced 32bit/384K Asynchronous Transfer USB drivers.  Additionally you can get units using either dual Wolfson WM8741 DACs or the Sabre ES9018 chip depending on your preference.  Add in adjustable digital filters, I/V conversion volume control on some units, ALPS pots on others, and excellent power supply regulation and you end up with some cutting edge tech for bargain prices. 

The NFB-15.32 is the most inexpensive at $235 and competes in price with the the D1 and U100.  I have the older 12.1 which is the same unit with an older USB driver and it sounds fabulous.  However I'd consider an upgrade to either the NFB-5.32 at $378 (Wolfson) or the Compass 2 at $499 (either Wolfson or Sabre).  The site says the NFB-11.32 is now in stock and is basically the NFB-5.32 with a Sabre chip, but there's not a price update on the site yet.  An email should fix that if you like the Sabre chip.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Products-EN.htm

The Yulong and Maverick units are very nice and a bargain in their day, but getting a bit long in the tooth in the rapidly changing digital scene.  Another alternative might be the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 (A Yulong built product), not as cutting edge tech as the Audio GD units, but much more flexible as it's basically a preamp and DAC combo.  And you get a nice tube buffer included.

http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Grant-Fidelity-TubeDAC-11-D-A-Converter.html

[xraycat]

I appreciate the replies and I'll look closer at the Mav D1 and replacement tubes.
I've looked at the Audio GD products but I would like an analog input, the NFB-15.32 only offers digital inputs.

[Letitroll98]

Then I'd suggest moving up to the D1 Plus for only $10 more.  It has a vastly superior USB interface and a much better DAC chip for virtually nothing in additional cost.  They're offering both a GE tube upgrade and an op amp upgrade as well, not sure of the added cost for those, I think the tube upgrade might be free.

Or you can buy the Maverick D1 Plus unit direct from his supplier in China for a small discount ($149+$35 shipping), and you can get a silver faceplate if you want.  The NOS GE tube is only $3 additional.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XiangSheng-24Bit-192Khz-DAC-01A-DAC-Tube-Decoders-Headphone-PreAmplifier-/111041456949?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D7424520336087822872%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D121013625193%26

Yes, the lowest priced Audio GD unit doesn't have a analog input, you have to go up to the Compass for that, at $499 a significant price jump.

Also there's the Aune X1 MK2 at $188, good reviews.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUNE-24bit-192K-X1-MK2-Mini-USB-DAC-Headphone-amp-Preamp-Coaxial-Input-US-Plug-/400417043090?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D15054%26meid%3D7424953812214384645%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1125%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D140627630584%26

[CountChoculaBot]

Another option could be to go with a separate amp/dac.  It wouldn't be as neatly integrated as an all in one with the features you described, but it could work.

Schiit Magni/Modi perhaps?  You have USB connectivity to your PC.  You have your headphone amp.  You can kind of jury rig a analog in -> speaker out by connecting it to the headphone amp, and then using a 1/4" stereo -> RCA LR adapter to your speakers.

Plus you can probably find the couple used pretty easily to save some dough.

[xraycat]

Man, I love this board! The responses that have been posted have been amazing.

That XiangSheung DAC-01A meets all my requirements and then adds a couple extra ins & outs. You mentioned it was a Maverick D1 Plus, no where on the ebay page does it mention it's a Maverick, is it just the same OEM that makes both?

The Aune X1 MK2 also meets my needs, I'll have to do some reading on both.

I've looked at the Schiit stuff but they don't offer enough ins & outs meaning I'd be swapping cables every time I wanted to switch between my speakers and headphones.

Thanks!

[ltr317]

Man, I love this board! The responses that have been posted have been amazing.

That XiangSheung DAC-01A meets all my requirements and then adds a couple extra ins & outs. You mentioned it was a Maverick D1 Plus, no where on the ebay page does it mention it's a Maverick, is it just the same OEM that makes both?

The Aune X1 MK2 also meets my needs, I'll have to do some reading on both.

I've looked at the Schiit stuff but they don't offer enough ins & outs meaning I'd be swapping cables every time I wanted to switch between my speakers and headphones.

Thanks!

The interior photo of the XiangSheung looks very similar to the Maverick D1.  I suspect they were both made in the same factory. 

[Letitroll98]

Maverick D1 Plus:



XiangSheng 24Bit 192Khz DAC-01A:



You tell me, look virtually the same?  Can you spot the differences? 

All of these guys, and a lot more mainstream players that you don't know about who are charging as if made in USA , have the items made off shore.  They get an American name faceplate etched or silkscreened, and in the case of Maverick and Grant Fidelity, offer a good reputation for customer service without charging very much more than if you bought direct.  I've bought direct from China with good results, but having a US service point if you have a problem is nothing to sneeze at.  Honestly, the reason I would buy the XiangSheng unit is to get the silver faceplate, the GE tube for $3 instead of the $20 charged by Maverick and the extra set of analog inputs.  If customer service is more important to you I'd go for the D1.

On a side note, the newer Plus board is a much cleaner layout using better USB, DAC, and driver chips than the older unit, but does save space and cost using a fair amount of SMD's.  How much, if at all, surface mount devices detract from sound quality is a topic up for much debate.  I do know more expensive, supposedly higher quality, products use all discrete caps and resistors, for whatever that's worth.   

[xraycat]

I ended up buying the DAC-01a off eBay with the silver face plate and GE tube. Thanks for the help everyone.

I was literally looking for a USB DAC/amp combo for months before coming to this board and looked at everything from the Creative X-Fi HD USB to the Asus Xonar Essence to the NuForce Icon HDP to the Yulong U100 and the Maverick D1. The DAC-01a seems to be exactly what I was looking for within my budget.

[Letitroll98]

That's great, keep us updated.

[xraycat]

I emailed Xiang Sheng but never received a response so I was wondering if anyone had any insight here. I was hoping to be able to disable the rear RCA outputs when I plug my headphones into the front 1/4" jack. Right now, all outputs are enabled. Other than that this is a great DAC.

[xraycat]

Well, I'm moving my home office to a smaller location in my basement so I'm reconsidering some of the equipment I have including the DAC-01A. Not being able to mute the RCA output when plugging in headphones is a real nuisance especially because my active speakers have independent power and volume controls on the back which are not easy (or worth it) to reach and switch off all the time.

I like all the connectivity options the DAC-01A has but I can give some of those up for a smaller DAC that will also mute the outputs when a headphone is plugged in. I'd still like a second input though. The Nuforce Icon DAC looks really nice but I'm not sure what other options I have.

Thanks.

[raysracing]

For those who are looking at computer based audio I would try your best to future proof the purchase by making sure it can handle all of your desired  bit depths and etc. (24bit - 192khz) or even higher you may wish to use.  I have found the more I get into computer based audio with my home made server the more I want to download and listen to these hi res recordings like DSD and downloads from Naim, Linn, HD Recordings.  My current DAC sounds fine as far as i know, but on USB it is limited to 24bit, 48khz.  What am I missing?  Well maybe not much on my system, but the fact I am not playing at the highest quality that I have is at a minimum annoying.  But the truth is I am probably missing a lot, especially as my stereo equipment keeps improving.  I dont want to replace DAC's every couple of years,  but I cannot afford anything too expensive.

Just be mindful of this. It is our nature to be blinded in the short term by a great deal then slap ourselves in the head later and say "If only I had spent another $ then I wouldn't want to buy something new for $$$ now."  I do this all of the time because I am so budget minded.