[lextek]

Right now Inam running a Mac Mini with iTunes and ripped CD content.  Using either a Cambridge Audio DACMagic or Audioquest Dragonfly 1.0. The system really sounds good.  But always wondering what I could expect from a DAC "upgrade" and to what?

[mresseguie]

Lex,

Hello. We're kind of in the same boat. I'm still using my old DacMagic Plus. It's become my weak link since I have already upgraded my amp (AVA 400R), tube preamp (AVA T8), speakers (DIY kit from Meniscus Audio "Adelphos" using SB Acoustic Satori drivers designed by Jeff Bagby...ROCKS!). Even though I call it my weak link, it isn't bad...it's just not hitting at as high a level as the other equipment.

I've got my eye on the Eastern Electric Mini Max Supreme as one of my candidates.  http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-preamplifiers/stereo-preamps/eastern-electric-mini-max-supreme-dac-review.html  There are a couple others whose names remain elusive to my memory. I was just in a shop yesterday and the guy mentioned a new DAC from Sim Audio. I think it's going to cost about $2200. That's a bit more than I want to spend. Take a gander at the AVA DAC. AVA gear is no frills, as far as looks go, but really hit above their price IMO.

Best of luck!

Michael

[geowak]

Today, with external DACs, it's hard to decide. Everyone and their brother is making them. I think a good way to go about it is to research which audio engineers have years of experience designing DAC chips and the implementation of the digital to analog circuits. I have a Benchmark DAC USB1 in one system and a Schiit Audio Bifrost Uber in another.

Both companies have years of experience with making DACs. But, there are other companies that have been making them for awhile, and some that are new to the game. I don't think throwing MORE money equates with getting a better DAC.

Also one of the main reasons I decided on the Bifrost, is the option of upgrading the chips inside ( I have upgraded to the Uber since I bought it). As technology changes, it's a cost effective way to bring a current DAC to current standards, without having to buy the newest DAC on the market. Once again, one must feel the engineers are making sound decisions and changes to the DAC.

[lextek]

Lex,

Hello. We're kind of in the same boat. I'm still using my old DacMagic Plus. It's become my weak link since I have already upgraded my amp (AVA 400R), tube preamp (AVA T8), speakers (DIY kit from Meniscus Audio "Adelphos" using SB Acoustic Satori drivers designed by Jeff Bagby...ROCKS!). Even though I call it my weak link, it isn't bad...it's just not hitting at as high a level as the other equipment.

I've got my eye on the Eastern Electric Mini Max Supreme as one of my candidates.  http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-preamplifiers/stereo-preamps/eastern-electric-mini-max-supreme-dac-review.html  There are a couple others whose names remain elusive to my memory. I was just in a shop yesterday and the guy mentioned a new DAC from Sim Audio. I think it's going to cost about $2200. That's a bit more than I want to spend. Take a gander at the AVA DAC. AVA gear is no frills, as far as looks go, but really hit above their price IMO.

Best of luck!

Michael

I've been looking at the Minmax Junior, PS Audio Nuwave DAC.  I own/owned a couple Schitt headphone amps and loved them.  The Bifrost is another thought.  I know more $$$ doesn't mean better sound.  Sometimes I am amazed by the sound that come from my set ups.  But always tinkering.....

[Atlplasma]

I've owned a Bifrost and thought it was an excellent DAC for the money. I'm now using a TEAC UD-501 and really like its ability to handle DSD. Would really like to try a Lampizator Amber but can't swing the cost at the moment. With DACs there seem to be lots of options at every price point.

[JLM]

Lots of opinions out there:

Knowledgable folks advise against heavy investment in DAC as relative to cost they make little difference. 

GIGO (garbage in garbage out) - if the signal is ruined nothing downstream can recover it.

Speakers (or headphones) make the biggest difference in a system.

DAC related technologies are a fast moving/improving arena, so don't over invest.


Like anything technology/entertainment based, you must decide how much is any added enjoyment worth to you, and then compare to where else you might get more "bang for the buck" in your life.

BiFrost is a solid choice.  Others to consider: Halide HD ($450, tiny with captive USB/RCA cables, 2014 Stereophile Class A rated); iFi Micro DAC ($500, very small, well reviewed, handles virtually every available format and headphone); Centrance DACminiCX ($800, ideal desktop size, well reviewed, has headphone output); Oppo HA-1 ($1200, well built with class A headphone output, handles nearly very format/input/output including headphones, sound is spectacular, transparent, crisp resolution, impressive soundstage).

[asliarun]

If you have CD content and want a very different sound, you could look at a NoS DAC. Peter Daniel makes a minimalist with very high component quality and very very good reviews.. Especially at the price point he sells.

I have also used Audio GD DAC and can highly recommend them. Some of their models also have volume control so they can also be used as a preamp. I replaced my dedicated preamp and Squeezebox DAC and this was a significant upgrade. I could live with the Audio GD sound without needing to upgrade.

[lokie]

Knowledgable folks advise against heavy investment in DAC as relative to cost they make little difference. 

That's the camp I'm in.

Regarding choosing DACS, the first decision you need to make is whether to go hi rez or not. If you go hi rez, then... I have no idea... way to complicated, too expensive  and not enough definitive consensus among other things (for me).

So, I decided to concentrate on optimizing NOS for the reasons mentioned but most of all, I mostly have Red Book CD"S. I also buy a lot RB at $5 ea or less on Amazon, Craigslist, 2nd hand stores etc... I can buy 10 rb cd's compared to one sacd or hi rez down loads. Trying not to go too deep into technical detail, I decided that the most important aspect of the DAC is how the designers are handling the analogue part of the signal... and the quality of the parts that do that work.

With this in mind, there are a couple of great choices. The winner for me was Audio Note DACS.