[BrassEar]

My SB3 needs a DAC upgrade. Don't need USB since the SB3 has SPDIF.

I like the sound of NOS dacs. I used to own the Monica 2 but the output level was too low for my setup. I liked the DAC-AH but it broke after 6 months use.  Open to anything new or used for $400 or less.

Options in my price range include:

1. DIY Paradise Monica 3 - TDA1545 NOS dac with active output stage.

http://store.diyparadise.com/monica3.html

2. Moodlab Concept DAC - TDA1543 NOS with passive stage.

http://www.mood-lab.com/concept.htm

3. Aeolus magiDAC - CS-4398 DAC with transformer output stage.

http://www.audio-magus.com/Aeolus_DAC_1_p/adac1.htm


Any others or do I already have a winner?

[pardales]

I recommend the Audiosector DAC. It is NOS, and sells for less than $300. I wrote a comparison of it to another superb NOS DAC in the Source Component Review section of AC.

[rotarius]

The KECES 131 sounds very nice for the money.  I prefer it to the budget NOS dacs.

[mca]

The latest Paradisea review sounds like it's a real winner! I hope to hear one soon.

http://positive-feedback.com/Issue38/mhdt_paradisea.htm

[Gaara]

If you can find a used Paradisea for $300 jump on it.

The Peter Daniels AudioSector is a very solid choice.  I actually found it to be very similar sound quality wise to my USB Monica.  The Monica 3 should be a step up from USB Monica, albiet small.  If you do go that route get the SMPS it makes a big difference.

You could also try and find a modded SB3.  I made a lateral move from a modded MHDT Paradisea to a RWA modded SB3.  Sold the Paradisea + SB3 for $800 and bought the RWA SB3 for $350.

[tanchiro58]

I would go with Promitheus Audio DAC and upgrade with a pair of Burson Discrete opamps. The combination is producing an excellent sound compared to 3x the price of other DACs.

http://www.promitheusaudio.com/dac.htm

[saisunil]

VDA•2 24 Bit Digital to Analog Converter $599 NEW
used (if you find one) will be a little cheaper

http://ciaudio.com/

I have one with upgraded PS and it sounds excellent.
Once your budget allows, you can always upgrade it by adding
VAC•1 High Current Power Supply

Cheers

[Larkston Zinaspic]

The OMZ DAC has been mentioned previously as well. Haven't heard one yet but contacted Ori and should have mine sometime this week, hopefully.

[TONEPUB]

I second the CI...

Most impressive budget DAC I've ever heard!

[Vapor Audio]

I really like my Xindak DAC-5, and got it off Ebay for a little over $300 new from a China seller.  It has fun stuff to play with too, selectable upsampling ... and two sets of outpus, one with a 6922 tube stage and one with an Burr-Brown 2064.  It uses the AD1852 for analog/digital conversion.  I prefer it to direct from my full Bolder modded SB3.  Here's an inside shot I found

[pbrstreetgang]

The various Lite modded DACS I am using and loving my GR modded one. Replaced a Benchmark

[bpape]

The Paradesea is a steal at $300.  Might see a few coming up with the new MHDT Havana out now. 

The Daniels is also very nice for the money.

Bryan

[Angaria]

both the daniels and paradisea are a step above the CI in terms of dynamics and detail retrieval imho

[lofreek]

So far I am very happy with the Zhaolou DAC 3.0.

http://www.audio-magus.com/product_p/pac1zs.htm

I have the SoundScape card as well, connected via TG Link, installed in my music server.

Not only does it sound good, but having four digital inputs really simplifies my setup (3 computers and a universal player)

[BobM]

I think you could do much better in the used market at the price point you are looking at. go over to www.head-fi.org and look in their for sale area. You will see a number of inexpensive DAC's for sale there, many of them already modified, for 50 cents on the dollar. I would seriously look into a modded Zhaolu; they pop up frequently over there.

Enjoy,
Bob

[Gordy]

I haven't seen the sale bin at Headfi however, BobM's suggestion is an excellent one.  I have heard Occam's modified Zhaolu 2.0 at a NY Rave dac comparo about a year ago and it was second only to the Maui Mods North Star dac and the Altmann!  "In that system" and "to my taste" disclaimers apply, as usual 

[Dan Driscoll]

My Pacific Valve modified LiTe Audio DAC-62 works great with my SB3. I got the DAC-62 used for $400 on AudioGon and it is one of the best bang for the buck purchases I've ever made.