[Pheno]

I'm looking for a budget USB DAC for a friend.  So many new players are in the field.  Any superlative recommendations.  Like to keep under $200.  Will be using with a Trends TA-10 and AV123 x-ls bookshelf speakers.

Thanks
Todd

[boead]

M-Audio Audiophile USB
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/AudiophileUSB-main.html

can be had for under $200, Google it.

[chadh]

I'm dealing with the same issue myself.  Here is a shortlist of ones I'm considering:

Silverstone EB-01 (super cheap at around $90, cool looking, apparently decent, but takes power from the USB connection)
Firestone Audio Fubar II (around $120, tiny, well reviewed)
EMU 0404 (Around $200, gets loads of good press on head-fi)
EMU 0202 (Around $130, has a different DAC chip to the 0404, and lots less features - but not so much information about performance relative to its more expensive brother)

and probably the most attractive option of the lot for me...

DIY Paradise's USB Monica board ($145, but requires some DIY work to hook the DAC up to power and put it in an enclosure - this is the only NOS DAC on the list, and is claimed to be the only USB NOS DAC that does not go through an SPDIF conversion).

Chad

[boead]

...and is claimed to be the only USB NOS DAC that does not go through an SPDIF conversion.

Nope, http://scott-nixon.com/dac.htm
USB > custom direct-I2S > NOS/DAC > constant current sourced tube buffer stage

If I had a dime for each time this is mentioned - I'd umm, have lots of dimes.


USBTDkit bare pcb $45 

USBTDkit $210

[chadh]

...and is claimed to be the only USB NOS DAC that does not go through an SPDIF conversion.

Nope, http://scott-nixon.com/dac.htm
USB > custom direct-I2S > NOS/DAC > constant current sourced tube buffer stage

If I had a dime for each time this is mentioned - I'd umm, have lots of dimes.


USBTDkit bare pcb $45 

USBTDkit $210

Interesting.  What DAC chip does this use?  I was under the impression that none of the standard NOS chips took I2S input at all.

Chad

[JLM]

The combination of Trends TA-10 and AV123 x-ls would appear to be problematic as the Trends is only good for about 10 wpc (pushing it) and the AV123 are not efficient.  Together they would barely reach 95 dB and would be expected to provide a very compressed (no dynamics) sound at all but background listening levels.

[boead]

Interesting.  What DAC chip does this use?  I was under the impression that none of the standard NOS chips took I2S input at all.

Chad

Philips TDA 1543 I believe. You have to ask scott.

[earplay]

The new Trends UD-10 is a possibility. Several connection possibilities and a well-reviewed DAC is included. Seems to be well-engineered for good sound. Costs about $140 delivered.

BTW, can someone tell me the problem ripping w/iTunes? I assume that since it rips and writes aiff files, there should be no loss of music. Is there a problem with playback?


earplay

Proud to be an American,
well, proud to be rational,
well, trying to be rational....