[jetpack]

Hi experts.
I'm looking for a new DAC and will be travelling to Tokyo soon. I'm hoping for some recommendations in the 200-1000 USD range that I can pick up in the Akihabara or elsewhere. I need something for converting digital signals from my cd player and a macbook +/- an adroid phone and ipod. Maybe I'll add a wifi streamer too at some point. Post-DAC, my system is a Clarinet tube pre followed by a SET 2A3 and a gainclone amps running frugalhorns and a couple of small woofers.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[wisnon]

Teac UD-500

Geek dac
iFi IDSD
Ressonessence Concero HD.

[TF1216]

Here are nice words about the Concero HD (http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/10/05/resonessence-labs-concero-hd/#more-7182).

Resonessence Labs is debuting the Herus at RMAF.  It's mainly for headphone use but it does appear to have decent specs for a home audio setup.

[jaywills]

I've has a Ressonessence Concero HD for a couple of months now and like it quite a bit.  Preferred it over the Peachtree Dac*It (which is a nice sounding DAC, BTW) and the internal DAC in my TacT 2.2x.  Of course, YMMV.  Good luck. Cordially,

[jetpack]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I'll try to hunt up a place to listen to the Teac and Concero. Import duties are too extreme where I live to mail-order anything and the mark-up of local hifi shops tends to push prices out of my budget. I'll do a bit more internet investigation into the iFi too. Cheers.

[Atlplasma]

Teac UD-500

Geek dac
iFi IDSD
Ressonessence Concero HD.

It's the Teac UD-501 (not 500) unless they are using a different model designation in Japan.

[charmerci]

.

[charmerci]

Could pick up an inexpensive JDLabs ODAC (under $170) as an additional spare/convenient DAC to have in addition to whatever you get before you leave the U.S. It's very small and you just plug it into your computer - no worries about foreign electrical voltage differences.

[dunross]

Take a look at Audio-GD's DAC offerings. They are in China and ship to Japan all the time. If you see something that interests you, contact them explaining your situation. They must know quite a bit about shipping to Japan and may offer a workable solution. I think their dac's are great too.

[doctorcilantro]

If you can stretch the Yulong DA8 and BMD PUREDAC.

[jetpack]

Thanks for the further thoughts. I'm particularly intrigued by the Yulong DA8 and TEAC. Looking into it a bit more, I'm curious about the differences between DSD and PCM. I have very little knowledge about the conversion to analogue, but a fair background in time series and DSP. It would be fun to compare them back to back. I guess the real danger is that I keep inching up my price limit until it is absurdly incongrous with my income and DIY-based system!

[J_P_425]

If you are using purely PCM and single ended interconnects the John Kenny Ciunas is a notable DAC to consider. It definitely does a better job with PCM than the TEAC. On the other hand, if you want to get into a DSD DAC the TEAC UD-501 offers tons of options at a very modest price point.