[scott_man]

I would like to connect an AppleTV via a DAC to a small bedroom system.  I need a DAC with a toslink connection.  Are used DACs in the $200-300 price range significantly better than the little $40 boxes on eBay and monoprice?  Any suggestions or recommendations.   Budget is $250 or less.

Thanks. Scott

[geowak]

You could look for a used Schiit Audio Bifrost. If you like it, you can upgrade to the Loki and get DSD for about $150. That would sound really fine. My two cents...

[srb]

If you like it, you can upgrade to the Loki and get DSD for about $150. That would sound really fine. My two cents...

The Loki only has a USB input, so it won't work with an Apple TV.

Steve

[rpf]

And Apple TV doesn't do Hi-Rez audio, IIRC.

A used Bi-Frost or used Micromega MyDac (which I own, like and am soon going to connect to an Apple TV) would work well and greatly improve the sound.

[Folsom]

The answer is no. But it depends on power supply quality.

My go to for super cheap, super musical, is any chinese 1543 DAC on ebay, battery powered, maybe with a cap swap on output and on battery power (with a few caps across the lines).

I've never heard anything remotely as easy to listen to at a price sub $1k or so. Sure some of them do neat tricks, but I don't leave them on long. It just works for non-critical listening so well, even a dance party, that I always suggest it non-audiophiles as a way to not have such gruelingly harsh music (and get some real bass).

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Get a Grant Fidelity DAC-11.  Swap out the 6922 tube for an Amprex early 1960's 6DJ8 non A frame tube and you will have a nice non fatiguing tube sound.  I have one and it sounds great in my second system with a Class D audio amp and MMG speakers. 

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

This DAC has had some good reviews-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-SD-793II-DAC-DIR9001-PCM1793-OPA2134-Coax-Optical-Input-Headphone-Amp-B-/251250687473?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3a7fb53df1

You can find these Emotiva DAC's used for cheap-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMOTIVA-XDA-1-DAC-DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG-CONVERTER-/380814628651?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item58aa52172b

Here is another chinese DAC that is pretty good-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAC-01B-HI-FI-24-192-Digital-to-Analog-Converter-/220905551002?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item336eff349a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/09-NEW-VERSION-ZERO-24-192KHZ-DAC-HEAD-AMP-USB-OPA627-silver-/261215613778?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3cd1a9f352

[Captainhemo]

Get a Grant Fidelity DAC-11.  Swap out the 6922 tube for an Amprex early 1960's 6DJ8 non A frame tube and you will have a nice non fatiguing tube sound.  I have one and it sounds great in my second system with a Class D audio amp and MMG speakers. 

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

This DAC has had some good reviews-

I'll second the GF TD 11.  I'm also using one  and am using a '63 Amperex 6DJ8 as well.  I've also replaced the power cord with a Pangea AC14SE.  I love this dad , especially at its price point

-jay

[avta]

+1 for the Micromega Mydac. I've got one and like it. All connections you want. Got mine at Music Direct (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-106045-micromega-mydac-asynchronous-usb-dac.aspx ) $369

[Letitroll98]

Unlike some of the above suggestions, the Audio gd NFB-11.32 is only slightly above your price point at $299.  Equipped with a 32bit / 384K Asynchronous Transfer USB-32 Chip
and a 32bit / 192K Sabre ES9018 DAC chip, and of course includes the optical input you require.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1132/NFB11.32EN.htm

[raysracing]

delete

[mick wolfe]

I'll second the GF TD 11.  I'm also using one  and am using a '63 Amperex 6DJ8 as well.  I've also replaced the power cord with a Pangea AC14SE.  I love this dad , especially at its price point

-jay

I have 2 GF TD 11's. One for casual listening / Pandora 1 in my family room and a Bolder modded unit in my listening room. Very versatile, excellent sounding DAC's. Stock tubes in both replaced with Ei Elite( gold pin) 6DJ8's.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Check out the sale price of this Simaudio Moon DAC and read the review

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15063-simaudio-moon-100d-dac.aspx?source=igodigital&

[mcgsxr]

Interesting piece.  Explains the ones I have seen floating around for $400 up here in Canada.