DAC for less then $550?

rmihai0 · « **on:** 16 Nov 2005, 06:23 pm »

Hi,

I need your help with a recomantion. I am looking to get a DAC for MAXIMUM $550.

I would like to be able to "decode" 24/96 signals, but I am not interested if it is upsampling and oversampling or not.

Can you recommend me something that you liked?

Thank you

kfr01 · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 06:59 pm »

Some vendors on this board sell some very reasonably priced DACs:

http://www.redwineaudio.com/

and

http://www.ciaudio.com/

bikes and beats · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 07:01 pm »

1: Bel Canto DAC 1 (upsampling) ~$450
2: Perpetual Technologies P3-A (upsampling) ~$500

Both used of course. I've owned them both and liked them. Bel Canto is more laid back and "homogenous" sounding. The P3 a bit more analytical.

-Mike

tigzstudio · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 07:16 pm »

ZHalou Dac 1.3! (fully modded) (~420 shipped to your door)

check out head-fi.org, dedicated source section, under thread "New Chinese DAC"

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

wln1111 · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 07:23 pm »

If interested in the Zhalou Dac, I have one upgraded with the better op amp and clock. It doesn't have the power supply upgrade but I am willing to sell for $280.

Thanks
Wing

budyog · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 08:56 pm »

I have a AVA-DAC "For Sale" for $550.00 in perfect condition. I bought it brand new from AVA about 3 years ago.

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/dac/omegastar_dac.htm

warnerwh · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 10:11 pm »

The new Channel Island VDA 2 will be the one to beat in that price range. They will be 600 I believe. It would be worth the wait. A used Bel Canto Dac 1 is a good choice for 450 if you can get someone to sell you one.

rmihai0 · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 10:16 pm »

I am really sorry. $600 will be over my budget and many other people budgets.

It seems that CI Audio didn't hired nor consulted a marketing specialist before deciding the price.

CIAudio · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 11:25 pm »

Quote

It seems that CI Audio didn't hired nor consulted a marketing specialist before deciding the price.

Sorry our marketing dept didn't consult with you first

warnerwh · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 11:31 pm »

Channel Island has the VDA 1 dac which is only 350 for a new one. This should do you well.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 11:34 pm »

Quote from: rmihai0

It seems that CI Audio didn't hired nor consulted a marketing specialist before deciding the price.

Perhaps they did. And because the specialist was so expensive, they had to raise the price of the DAC...

(just kidding...)

Rocket · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Nov 2005, 11:55 pm »

Hi Guys,

Quote

I am really sorry. $600 will be over my budget and many other people budgets.

It seems that CI Audio didn't hired nor consulted a marketing specialist before deciding the price.

Sorry gotta say it but this statement is a bit unfounded. Dusty runs a good business.

Regards

Rod

warnerwh · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 12:24 am »

And I'll add to what Rod said. His prices are excellent compared to most other companies. He sure isn't getting rich off this stuff. Plus the consumer doesn't also need to grease the palm of a dealer.

budyog · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 01:13 am »

I am sorry, I did not read your request correctly. You said a DAC for LESS than $550. I will let my AVA-DAC go for $545.00!

http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/dac/omegastar_dac.htm

rmihai0 · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 01:55 am »

Hey Dusty,

I am sorry - I didn't meant to sound hursh in ANY way. Just to let you know - I am an investment banker and financial analyst specialized in electronics.

Our statistics shows that for small electronics (in our case DACs and phono stages) the optimun price that will generate the largest profits is, very exactly, $548. Any lower price we make you loss additional profits per unit, and higher price will make you sell less units, resulting on the long term in smaller revenue. This is what we call "price elasticity".

Other then that, let me show ALL my respect for the fair prices and good products that you've put in the market so far.

Notre respect.

PS Now, if the price will be $600, instead $548 that shouldn't hurt you sales too much. But just to let you know - our estimates shows that your total revenuews might decrease by 18.9% due to this "small" $52 diference.

kfr01 · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 03:32 am »

Quote from: rmihai0

Hey Dusty,

I am sorry - I didn't meant to sound hursh in ANY way. Just to let you know - I am an investment banker and financial analyst specialized in electronics.

Our statistics shows that for small electronics (in our case DACs and phono stages) the optimun price that will generate the largest profits is, very exactly, $548. Any lower price we make you loss additional profits per unit, and higher price will make you sell less units, resulting on the long term in smaller revenue. This is what we ca ...

What a load of b.s.

First, to determine Dusty's equilibrium price you'd need DUSTY's marginal revenue information, marginal cost information, and the demand curve for DUSTY'S product. You have none of this information. Indeed, the product has not yet been released!

Second, you didn't even get the definition of price elasticity right. Price elasticity is the ratio of the percentage of change in quantity demanded over a certain percentage of change in cost. Price elasticity tells you how quickly buyers will substitute away as a result of a seller's increase in price. You cannot determine optimal or equilibrium price using price elasticity as your only variable.

You need to lay off a trusted vendor on this board.

If you work for an investment bank as an analyst, I'm the Dalai Lama.

chadh · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 03:51 am »

Let's be fair. He never said he was a successful investment banker and financial analyst specialized in electronics; nor a competent one for that matter.

The thing that strikes me as particularly strange is that, for his analysis to have even a hope of being useful, he would have needed to assume that all DACs are essentially the same. But if this were the case, then why would he need any suggestions about which is better? Just buy the cheapest one - it's clearly the deal that lets you take the greatest advantage of the manufacturer's sub-optimal pricing strategy.

Chad

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 05:15 am »

Quote

If you work for an investment bank as an analyst, I'm the Dalai Lama.

CIAudio · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 06:14 am »

Quote

Our statistics shows that for small electronics (in our case DACs and phono stages) the optimun price that will generate the largest profits is, very exactly, $548. Any lower price we make you loss additional profits per unit, and higher price will make you sell less units, resulting on the long term in smaller revenue.

Setting the amount you're willing to spend on a product based on the above statement tells me you want to buy something from the company who makes the largest profit?

Our goal with VDA-2 was to be the best sounding DAC under $2000, so we feel it's quite a bargain at $599. If you want to go all out and get the matching VAC-1 Upgrade power supply and a pair of balanced cables, you're up to $908, still considerably less than competing products.

I'm a music lover who is fortunate enough to make a living off of what was my hobby (and still is)...I design/manufacture audio products because it's what I love to do...not to "maximize profits". There aren't many rich guys in the hi-end audio business...If I were in it for the money, I'd be in a different business.

woodsyi · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Nov 2005, 12:52 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Quote
If you work for an investment bank as an analyst, I'm the Dalai Lama.
Hmmm....DAC, Dalai, Dolly....this stuff is tricky..... [/list:u]

Dear Mr. Lonewolf,

I appreciate the picture of Dolly but would you kindly post some pictures of her sister, Julia. I understand she is not shy at all.