[Charles Calkins]

My vote goes to the

  Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC2496

 Had it laying around for a couple of years and I can't remember why I bought it. Finally got it up and running yesterday.
 My Stanton turntable has RCA digital out. Now hooked up to the DAC. Works fine and sounds okay. Not a killer sound like I heard last Sunday at the Nor Cal get together. Just okay.
 I had an old Pioneer DVD player laying around. Hooked up to the DAC by a toslink cable. Using the Pioneer as a CD player analog outs to the pre sounds dull and lifeless. Using the Pioneer as a transport and hooked up to the DAC is a huge improvement in sound. I mean huge!!!
 That's the reason the Behringer gets my vote as a real good cheap DAC.

                                               Cheers
                                              Charlie

[doug s.]

my shameless plug for the best dac at $1k or less.  (and mebbe even more?)   

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=49382.0

doug s.

[Charles Calkins]

Dougs:

 My Behringer cost $99.00 a couple of years ago.
 Now that is CHEAP!!! Can't hardly beat that with a stick.

                       Cheers
                       Charlie

[tanchiro58]

Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC2496

Now it is $249.00 which is a cheapest deal.

But if you try to modify it the Behringer Ultra Pro 2496 will be an excellent DAC.

PS: Sorry, it is the DCX2496 costs $249.00 not the SCR2496 which is cheaper circa $130-150

[Charles Calkins]

Tan:
  Modify the Behringer DAC?  Now that would be interesting. Wonder if there is anybody that could do something like that. Not me!!! I'd screw it up so bad it would wind up in the garbage can.

                                      Cheers
                                     Charlie

[doug s.]

Dougs:

 My Behringer cost $99.00 a couple of years ago.
 Now that is CHEAP!!! Can't hardly beat that with a stick.

                       Cheers
                       Charlie

ya, that's cheap; even cheaper than the stock art di/o's, which sold for $149.  the stock di/os are decent, too, but mods make them competitive w/the best there is, imo...

doug s.

[giantsteps]

 http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/deqmod_e.html

 Frank

[giantsteps]

 http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:DJqqKUxU_0QJ:www.audiosmile.co.uk/deq2496.htm+behringer+2496+dac+mods&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us


 Frank

[BradJudy]

Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC2496

Now it is $249.00 which is a cheapest deal.

The SRC2496 is $130 - http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHSRC2496

[Charles Calkins]

Frank:
 Read the review on the modded Berhinger DAC. Sounds very interesting. Too bad the modder is in the U.K.


                                                  Cheers
                                                  Charlie

[tanchiro58]

Frank:
 Read the review on the modded Berhinger DAC. Sounds very interesting. Too bad the modder is in the U.K.


                                                  Cheers
                                                  Charlie

Charlie,

You do not need to modify much just add the Felix PS before the stock PS (if you do not use any pricier PC!!!) the sound of SCR 2496 will be much better than the stock one.

I will purchase Behringer SCR2496 and modify it. I will let you know.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=65713

Tan

[Charles Calkins]

tan:
 Haven't a clue as to what you are trying to tell me.

                                            Cheers
                                           Charlie
                                         

[SET Man]

My vote goes to the

 ...My Stanton turntable has RCA digital out. Now hooked up to the DAC. Works fine and sounds okay....

                                               Cheers
                                              Charlie

Hey!

    Wha? Turntable with digital output?

   Yes, if you want to digitize vinyl than that is okay I guess. But why would anyone want to listen to turntable through it digital output? 

Take care,
Buddy

[Charles Calkins]

 Buddy:
 The Stanton sounds a lot better to me going through a good DAC than a phono stage. I've tried several phono stages and have been disappointed with the results. I haven't tried a real expensive phono stage but I'm sure the better the phono stage the better the results. Really it's a never ending quest for the best sound. All of us are trying to find that.

                                                   Cheers
                                                    Charlie


       

[Tweaker]

I have a DEQ2496 and really like the sound of its dac. It provides a noticeably richer and warmer sound than the Lite Audio NOS dac I have.

[SET Man]

Buddy:
 The Stanton sounds a lot better to me going through a good DAC than a phono stage. I've tried several phono stages and have been disappointed with the results. I haven't tried a real expensive phono stage but I'm sure the better the phono stage the better the results. Really it's a never ending quest for the best sound. All of us are trying to find that.

                                                   Cheers
                                                    Charlie


       

Hey!
    Charlie, I don't know anything about your Stanton TT or what cart and phono stage you use. And my  TT set up ain't that great like some of people here. But I will be honest... having the analog sound of my cart run through AD than through DAC again for listening is the last thing I would do.

   Well, I guess like people say... whatever float your boat, if it sound good to you than just do it!

Take care,
Buddy
   

[giantsteps]

I have a DEQ2496 and really like the sound of it's dac. It provides a noticeably richer and warmer sound than the Lite Audio NOS dac I have.

Which Lite dac is it. I have the modded one from Pacific Valves(US$220.00) IN MY SYSTEM (one must always stress this) it has great dynamics and TONE, TONE, TONE. For the price I'm VERY happy. Did I mention the instruments are reproduced with great TONE?

Frank

[zacster]

I only paid $110 for my Monica NOS dac with a tube output stage.  It was a great bargain.

[Tweaker]

I have a DEQ2496 and really like the sound of it's dac. It provides a noticeably richer and warmer sound than the Lite Audio NOS dac I have.

Which Lite dac is it. I have the modded one from Pacific Valves(US$220.00) IN MY SYSTEM (one must always stress this) it has great dynamics and TONE, TONE, TONE. For the price I'm VERY happy. Did I mention the instruments are reproduced with great TONE?

Frank

I also have the PV modded Lite Audio. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent dac. I just found I prefer the warmer sound of the Behringer.
 I'm going to sell the Lite Audio, if anyone is interested.