[*Scotty*]

Why some DACs may sound better when they receive 16/44 in an upsampled form, I got nothing. Referring to the 6moons Auralic Vega review, all of the filters showed progressively lower ringing as the incoming data was at increased. This may positively impact the sound quality. See link.
 As far as the ESS 9038 is concerned it's total THD-N at -122 is only 2dB better than the ESS 9018s -120. The DNR of the ESS 9038 is 5dB better the ESS 9018s -135dB.
 It remains to be seen how significant the differences the in DNR or the THD+N between the two DACS is when it comes real world implementation in a product.
Scotty

[Joemamma]

I know what DAC stands for and I need one to incorporate my computer in the audio chain.  From there it gets pretty confusing.  I keep reading not to blow a lot on one because the technology is improving so fast.  That's why I thought there might be something out there that's better than my music streamer.  I have had it for years now.  I contacted SCHIIT, but to be honest, they were not very helpful.  In there defense thought they did say they did not compare there DACS to others, which I guess makes sense.  Even if I was very wealthy, I don't think I would just send somebody a couple of thousand dollars via pay-pal for some product in development.  Sounds very risky.  I'm sure it will be a great product.  Also, I just want something as simple as possible.  I don't like to pay for extra features that I will not use.  This hobby is so subjective.  Does the $500 SCHIIT sound better than my music streamer or does it just sound different.  I like that Danny at Gr does post measurements of his products.  I know that doesn't tell the whole story but it still impresses me. 

[bacobits1]

The best you can do is read reviews from professionals and especially users on particular DAC's. I don't mean users from Amazon.
There is a LOT out there at all prices. Subjective for sure fanatical absolutely!
I bought Schiit because it is upgrade-able and 5 year warranty USA too. Stellar reviews.
AND I never buy retail except this time.

[corndog71]

Schitt is a great little company with a lot of history behind the guys involved.  They know how to make a good dac.  You could always try out their Modi 2 for $99.  I would bet it's better than your streamer.  Other inexpensive yet well reviewed products would be the Audioquest Dragonfly and Musical Fidelity V90.  Dedicated DACs will pretty much always sound better than one that's built in to an already inexpensive product.

[Syrah]

I do find DAC buying frustrating.   Buy a kickass preamp, and it will be a kickass preamp for 15 years before you're lusting after something "better".  Buy a kickass DAC, and it will be for 3 years, if that.

I know, it's the same thing that you listened to and loved.  So there's no reason why, the fact that now people are gushing over how much better XXX DAC is, and it's half the price of the one you bought, should change the fact that your DAC still sounds the same and you should still like it.

But it is more like buying computers and smart phones, as good as it is now, just wait.  I was perfectly happy with my old Blackberry.  But it couldn't allow me to respond to work emails, and also measure the wow and flutter on my turntable, and index my wine collection with the snap of a photo.

Given the new generation of chips, and all of those smart designers out there just starting to play with them now, I can't help but think this is one of those moments when a little patience with that old DAC might be worth a year or two wait. 

Something even better will doubtless come out in 5 years.  But I think I'll hold out for a few now before demoting my current DAC to system B.

[wushuliu]

plenty of dacs Amazon that can be auditioned with low risk thanks to their return policy.

and it bothers me that the fact that different chips have different sound signatures gets ignored in favor of promoting this brand or that. a dac that uses an es9023 like dragonfly will sound different from ak chip dac's like schiit or entrance etc. or ifi which uses burr Brown. we should be talking more in terms of what presentation a person is looking for and from there recommend a dac. schiit may make the clouds part but if you don't care for the ak chip bolder presentation then what's the point.

[Wind Chaser]

From the sidelines - this is a most interesting thread.

[Coldfusion]

I know what DAC stands for and I need one to incorporate my computer in the audio chain.  From there it gets pretty confusing.  I keep reading not to blow a lot on one because the technology is improving so fast.  That's why I thought there might be something out there that's better than my music streamer.  I have had it for years now.  I contacted SCHIIT, but to be honest, they were not very helpful.  In there defense thought they did say they did not compare there DACS to others, which I guess makes sense.  Even if I was very wealthy, I don't think I would just send somebody a couple of thousand dollars via pay-pal for some product in development.  Sounds very risky.  I'm sure it will be a great product.  Also, I just want something as simple as possible.  I don't like to pay for extra features that I will not use.  This hobby is so subjective.  Does the $500 SCHIIT sound better than my music streamer or does it just sound different.  I like that Danny at Gr does post measurements of his products.  I know that doesn't tell the whole story but it still impresses me.

If obsolescence worries you, the $399 Schiit Bifrost is upgrade able.

If you want cheap, you can find an emotiva Xda-2 for less than $200.

If you want really cheap, an ODAC or Fiio.

[Joemamma]

I have pretty much settled on giving the SChiit product a shot. 

[Wind Chaser]

...different chips have different sound signatures...

You mean sort of like tubes, in the sense of how they sound different?

Is there a guide / reference that explains the different signatures of the most common DAC chips?

[cody69]

I have pretty much settled on giving the SChiit product a shot.

Am interested in how this works out for you, so please post back.

I too have in Music Streamer II in one of my systems and have been quite happy with the performance.
Playing off a mac mini, I originally compared it to my Musical Fidelity CDP and I was not able to hear any differences in sound quality.
I also compared it to a Musical Fidelity DAC from another system to see if using toslink cable made a difference. There was a change in sound, but I did not favor one over the other.
Schiit has been high on my list for future purchases, so am interested in  your findings.

[Guy 13]

I have pretty much settled on giving the SChiit product a shot.

Hi Mr. Joe,
I am also interested about your futur Schiit - Bifrost purchase.
Minds you, I would probably go for the Mani 2 Uber which is more within my budget,
but who knows, I might have an unexpect arrival of $$$$.

Guy 13

[brooklyn]

I have pretty much settled on giving the SChiit product a shot.

I just purchased the Schiit Modi 2 to use with my computer based headphone music system.
I went with the Uber model just incase I needed the flexibility in the future.

This little unit really surprised me, I can now hear different textures in the music with more
depth and transparency. The music also took on a smoother sound quality. I think I got my
money’s worth from the little Schiit.

[glynnw]

Rim shot for the joke, please.

[MtnHam]

The DAC market is constantly changing, and the price spread is absurd, some well heeled audiophiles spending almost $100K and then feeling the need to upgrade in less than a year!

Here is an interesting thread currently very active on What's Best Forum:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?17633-Let-s-Get-A-Consensus-Of-The-Best-DAC-s-In-The-Market-Today

[bacobits1]

Yea that's where the Proctologists hang out.

Buddabing!

[PDR]

Soooo....if we are looking for the BEST sounding DAC, that means they're adding
or subtracting something to the original signal......coloring it......no?

Shoudnt you be comparing it to an analogue source and looking for the one
that adds or subtracts the least? The one thats the most correct to the original?
I mean it is converting digital back to analogue......isnt that the goal, reproducing faithfully?