[paul79]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=117865.0 From our very own Steve Nugent of Empirical audio. I can't imagine you doing any better than this DAC for $500...

[JEaton]

Unless the Touch has been modded, USB only DAC's would not work.

Am I missing something?

It only requires a software applet on the Touch - Enhanced Digital Output (EDO):

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?94512

[jackman]

Easy. 

ODAC.  http://www.jdslabs.com/item.php?fetchitem=46

In stock unmodded form?  Just wondering because I've heard mixed comments regarding this dac and NWAVGUY is MIA. 

I'm pulling for these guys for so many reasons; compelling approach to development, low cost and the US manufacturer is in Illinois.  Just wondering how it sounds withou any external ps or mods. Thanks

[jtwrace]

In stock unmodded form?  Just wondering because I've heard mixed comments regarding this dac and NWAVGUY is MIA. 

I'm pulling for these guys for so many reasons; compelling approach to development, low cost and the US manufacturer is in Illinois.  Just wondering how it sounds withou any external ps or mods. Thanks

Stock. 

NWA guy doesn't build them anyway.  He just designed it so JDS and the other guy in Canada are the two go to guys for USA & Canada sales.  I own one and it's awesome; not only objectively but subjectively. 

[jackman]

Stock. 

NWA guy doesn't build them anyway.  He just designed it so JDS and the other guy in Canada are the two go to guys for USA & Canada sales.  I own one and it's awesome; not only objectively but subjectively.

Thank you!  I ordered one on Friday and just read a couple not so hot reviews.  I respect your opinion and look forward to getting it!

Cheers

Jack

[jtwrace]

Thank you!  I ordered one on Friday and just read a couple not so hot reviews.  I respect your opinion and look forward to getting it!

Cheers

Jack

Well, it's honest (the ODAC), it is what it is.     I would've sent you mine to try.

[JCarney]

I have a Parasound Z-DAC that I really like. I would say it punches way out of its weight class. It can be had for $475.

JCarney

http://www.amazon.com/Parasound-Digital-Analog-Converter-Black/dp/B00ANTVS90

[jackman]

Well, it's honest (the ODAC), it is what it is.     I would've sent you mine to try.

Thank you. They are in Illinois, close enough so that shipping was cheap. The whole thing was cheap for that matter.  I was going to pick up the new $99 Schiit DAC but this one caught my eye.  Will report back!

Cheers
Jack

[jtwrace]

Thank you. They are in Illinois, close enough so that shipping was cheap. The whole thing was cheap for that matter.  I was going to pick up the new $99 Schiit DAC but this one caught my eye.  Will report back!

Cheers
Jack

Look forward to your thoughts.   

[jackman]

Look forward to your thoughts.   

Thanks, I appreciate your recommendation.  They JDS Labs guys are very cool.  I switched from 3mm jack to RCAs and they responded immediately confirming the change.  I may get the 02 headphone amp as well.

[mca]

OK, it's been a while since I first posted this thread. I have tried the following DAC's out and have not been impressed so far. Bifrost Uber, ifi iDAC, Audioquest Dragonfly, Peachtree, Dac-It. They all sounded OK, but not what I think is up to the standards of the rest of my system. I have been saving since my original post and am ready to step up to the 1-2k range. From what I have read, a used Bryston DAC-1 may do the trick. If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to post them   

[WGH]

New Fet Valve Hybrid DAC $2495 at the AVA site. In two shoot-outs we found the AVA DAC sounds just as good as the $4000 PS Audio PerfectWave MKII.

Yup, over your budget but consider the Vision Hybrid at $1999. I heard one in my system and it is still very nice. 30 day money back trial too.

Wayne

[DaveC113]

OK, it's been a while since I first posted this thread. I have tried the following DAC's out and have not been impressed so far. Bifrost Uber, ifi iDAC, Audioquest Dragonfly, Peachtree, Dac-It. They all sounded OK, but not what I think is up to the standards of the rest of my system. I have been saving since my original post and am ready to step up to the 1-2k range. From what I have read, a used Bryston DAC-1 may do the trick. If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to post them 

A little pricier but check out the Auralic Vega, it is awesome. I heard it at mgalusha's place along with a Teac, my Bifrost Uber and HiFace and it is in another league entirely. I like my Bifrost but it sounds like crap in direct comparison. The Teac was actually the worst of the bunch... slow, bloated and artificially smooth. It was voiced to be as non-offensive as possible imo.

Mike recommended the Yulong DA8 at a lower price point and said it's much closer to the Auralic than the Teac, which were the two on hand at the time. At $1200 it seems like a good value.

[adydula]

JDS has the O2 dropped down complete for $129......a really great price for this Gem...

I finally sold all my other head amps etc and settled on several of these.

Awesome..

Alex

[geowak]

If the Auralic Vega ran over the Bifrost Uber as two here have compared, I would get one. I mean the Bifrost has been getting rave reviews as a budget DAC, and it was designed bu two veterans in the digital world. So if the Auralic is in a different league by direct comparison it must be very good.

[jackman]

Thanks, I appreciate your recommendation.  They JDS Labs guys are very cool.  I switched from 3mm jack to RCAs and they responded immediately confirming the change.  I may get the 02 headphone amp as well.

Hi Guys,
I forgot about this thread!  Just wanted to thank JTWrace for the ODAC recommendation.  I've been messing around with this DAC for a couple months and I like it a lot.  I have the JDS Lab version with RCA's and it sounds very good, especially with 24/96 material and a PC with JRiver.  The setup is very inexpensive (HDD, old laptop, JRiver, and ODAC) and the iphone remote JRemote works great.  For very little money, it sounds great. 

I have not tested any high-end DSD Dac's and look forward to testing the Sonore, Chord, etc.  For now, as a temporary stop-gap, the ODAC works and sounds great.  It's also very easy to set up. 

Good luck

Jack

[Daedalus Audio]

check out the Parasound Z-DAC.  especially good with the balanced outputs.  it's what I use in the shop when I don't want to burn tube life in the tube dac's

http://www.parasound.com/ParasoundZ/zdac.php