[kinku]

I have a squeezebox (SB)touch and V3 and using their internal DAC. I am wondering if there is anything better out there in less than 1000 $ price range which will sound better than built in DAC of those squeezeboxes. I like SB V3 sound than sound from SB Touch. Hope someone will help.

[TrungT]

Geek DAC look Promises.

[jaywills]

I've been enjoying the Resonessence Labs CONCERO HD I've acquired recently.  Replaced a Peachtree Dac*It, which was also nice sounding and costs a bit less.  Google both for reviews.  Good luck. Cordially,

[mav52]

I've been enjoying the Resonessence Labs CONCERO HD I've acquired recently.  Replaced a Peachtree Dac*It, which was also nice sounding and costs a bit less.  Google both for reviews.  Good luck. Cordially,

I've got one in the house and it sounds pretty darn good as compared to my Mytek, I actually like the sound of the Concero HD.  Also check out the TEAC 501

[kinku]

Anyone has experience with Ross Martin?

[JLM]

Schitt BiFrost with uber upgrade.  Only $417 and upgradable.  (Sorry it doesn't cost more or look more impressive.)

[parr3n1]

So is the concero hd a better way to go than the plain concero?
I am just entering the digital world and I do not own a sacd. Are
they that much better? If you don't utilize the hd part of the concero
does it sound better with flac stuff? thanks

[Folsom]

I may forever remain partial to anything based on the 1543 chip. Sure others outclass some attributes of cheaper 1543 DAC's, but I always prefer the sweet musical sound of the 1543. Even a $50 one powered by a $12 battery often is more enjoyable than anything of other varieties. It won't be super talented, but I want to listen 

All DAC's are dependent on good power to truly show off. Batteries are a cheap way, for some DAC's. But I'd recommend a better one like RWA uses, than the old SLA standard (which still works on a budget).

[DaveC113]

Check out the yulong da8.

Schiit Bifrost is a good value, so is hiface. I'd skip the teac.

[jaywills]

"So is the concero hd a better way to go than the plain concero?"

There's a seventy-something page discussion over on Head-Fi.  The last ten pages or so discuss the difference between the HD and the basic model.  Good luck.  Cordially,

[*Scotty*]

You might want to consider the Meridian Explorer for $299.
Link to Stereophile review.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/meridian-explorer-usb-da-processorheadphone-amplifier
Crutchfield has it.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_795EXPLRER/Meridian-Explorer.html?tp=59309&awkw=19884656305&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=15802862185&awdv=c
Scotty

[Captainhemo]

Might want to have a look at the Grant Fidelity Tube DAC 11 made by Yulong
http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Grant-Fidelity-TubeDAC-11-D-A-Converter.html

Should be in stock  again soon, late Sept/early Oct.   I've had one on pre order for a bit now, getting anxious .
Lots of reviews out there too

-jay

Forgot to mention..
Tube out
Line out
DAC out  (fixed )
Headphone out

Coax in
Optical In
USB in
2 sets RCA in (can run 2 other sources throught he tube if desired)

[jarcher]

Check out the yulong da8.

Schiit Bifrost is a good value, so is hiface. I'd skip the teac.

+1 the Bifrost - but what's wrong with the Teac UD501? Of the stack of dacs around or under $1k I heard at the last capital audiofest, it was the best I heard  (and the other three people there agreed) Very musical. But honestly at or around $1k the differences were not that great. For redbook honestly the best deal was the new parasound zdac @ $400 retail. Musical and a bit on the warmer side.

[DaveC113]

+1 the Bifrost - but what's wrong with the Teac UD501? Of the stack of dacs around or under $1k I heard at the last capital audiofest, it was the best I heard  (and the other three people there agreed) Very musical. But honestly at or around $1k the differences were not that great. For redbook honestly the best deal was the new parasound zdac @ $400 retail. Musical and a bit on the warmer side.

I heard the Teac, Bifrost and Hiface on the same system, the Teac was the worst of the three... it wasn't offensive but it sounded warm, slow, bloated and lacking detail compared to the others.

[geowak]

I have a Benchmark USB DAC1 and a Bifrost withe the Uber analog upgrade. I like them both. But for less than $500, go with the Bifrost.

[nocrapman]

Almost any external DAC will improve or at the very least change its sound.
Make sure u upgrade the stock power supply of the V3 to a good regulated supply- that seems to be the cheapest upgrade.

[dunross]

The Musiland Monitor dacs are loaded with features and sound good too. They are cheap enuff where having one as a stop-gap or back-up makes sense.