[gychang]

I like to  get a clean sound for my flac files, to my headphone or to my analog amp connected to speakers.  Is there a small usb device, a "cost effective" solution? My headphone does not need amp.

appreciate some suggestions.

[charmerci]

Just above this thread, you'll see List of Cheap DAC's.

I use an ODAC - surprisingly, it's not listed ($100-150 with case) - with this

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021817&p_id=9299&seq=1&format=2

plugged into my stereo. Sounds really good.

Also not listed is the Dragonfly (1.0 - $99, 1.2 - $150) DAC.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dragonfly+dac&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=33838518475&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7430813704838536290&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4khb5mb5ik_e

[jackman]

The ODAC and Jriver are a pretty nice combo.  You can get the Odac with RCA connectors.  I have some hirez but really like the way redbook cd sounds on my computer setup. Rip CDs with jriver into flac files uncompressed. The Odac plays bitperfect up to 24/96 and sounds good.

Eventually you may want to upgrade but it sounds way better than I expected.  Haven't heard the Dragonfly 1.2 but it gets great reviews. I hope to hear it soon. Here is a link to the Odac:

http://www.jdslabs.com/products/46/standalone-odac/

Schiit also has a low cost option that looks cool.

[jackman]

Also, JDS has a new DAC headphone amp combo that looks cool.
http://www.jdslabs.com/products/84/c5d-amplifier-dac/#

[*Scotty*]

I would recommend a M2Tech-HIFACE DAC. It is an asynchronous USB DAC that will operate at up to 32bits at 384kHz.. It will drive most medium and high impedance headphones and has 2.0Vrms line output level, 112dB THD+N.
here are links to more information.
http://www.m2tech.biz/hiface_dac.html
A review from TNT audio.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/m2tech_hiface_dac_e.html
A review from WHAT HI*FI
http://www.whathifi.com/blog/m2tech-hiface-dac-hands-on-review
Also a review from Audiostream
http://www.audiostream.com/content/m2tech-hiface-dac
I think it is available from Music Direct for about $200.
Scotty

[Folsom]

Oops. Read that wrong.

[2wo]

I have an Odac and it sounds pretty damn good and not just for the money. I have heard  nothing but good for the HRT stuff and the Dragonfly looks like a slick solution but I have not heard one...John

[firedog]

The cheap, easy, and good sounding solution is the dragonfly or one of its' competitors. There are several similar devices on the market.

[gychang]

anyone have experience with this?:  http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MUSE-X5-HiFi-PCM2704-USB-to-Headphone-Converter-DAC-Sound-Card-USB-Cable-Mini-Size-64mm/1183493292.html

only $13, reviews seem positive....

[mcgsxr]

I picked up a used HRT Music Streamer II for use in my main system.

I will revisit DAC at some point, but for now I am very pleased with this little guy.

Search around Head Fi, there are usually some around $100.

The Dragonfly is one I would have tried too, but found this HRT for the right $ first.

[gychang]

anyone have experience with cheaper solution, <$30, perhaps ebay chinese knockoffs?

[Letitroll98]

anyone have experience with cheaper solution, <$30, perhaps ebay chinese knockoffs?

Some examples to show there are a zillion knock offs from China out there.  I would pick one or two and try them out.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/MUSE-HiFi-PCM2704-USB-to-S-PDIF-Converter-DAC-Sound-Card-Silver-USB-Cable/734277383.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251456345377?lpid=82

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PCM2704-USB-DAC-TDA1308-Headphone-Amplifier-Volume-Control-Ele-El-D02-100nu/1039075108.html?af=ppc&isdl=y&src=Google&albch=Google&albcp=Search_Search-ALL-PLA&albkw=None_US-Shopping-Search-Product-AliExpress_none_none&albag=home_none_Search-ALL-PLA_1013999999870&albmt=broad&albst=search-text&albom=OTHERS_None_20130807_Aliexpress&creative=31447451305&ptsid=1013999999870&gclid=CM7TmL-TnL0CFZJj7AodKwkAgQ

[Noseyears]

anyone have experience with cheaper solution, <$30, perhaps ebay chinese knockoffs?

HifimeDIY sabre usb dac $42
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=83

Stoner acoustics UD110 $49
http://stoneracoustics.blogspot.com/2013/09/ud110-dac.html

Both devices are well known on the audiophile community.

[gychang]

thanks for all the input

[smata67]

I second the HifimeDIY sabre usb dac $42, a great improvement, I was pleasantly surprised.

[Russell Dawkins]

I would recommend a M2Tech-HIFACE DAC. It is an asynchronous USB DAC that will operate at up to 32bits at 384kHz.. It will drive most medium and high impedance headphones and has 2.0Vrms line output level, 112dB THD+N.
here are links to more information.
http://www.m2tech.biz/hiface_dac.html
A review from TNT audio.
http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/m2tech_hiface_dac_e.html
A review from WHAT HI*FI
http://www.whathifi.com/blog/m2tech-hiface-dac-hands-on-review
Also a review from Audiostream
http://www.audiostream.com/content/m2tech-hiface-dac
I think it is available from Music Direct for about $200.
Scotty

Sounds promising - too bad about the form factor. Small devices like this should have a short length of flexible cable to a USB connector, rather than plug in and stick out like that, especially since you then need to plug in an adapter and RCA cables on the end. Makes an unruly set up.