[hifi2me]

Hi there,

Considering to skip my CD player and buy a DAC, link it with a PC and enjoy life from my chair

Let's have input on experience with USB enabled DACs, sounds like the hot stuff now.

Best value for money

[john1970]

I have a Bryston BDA-1.  Although it list price is $1995 dealers often provide discounts.  I don't use the USB input, but the SPDIF Coax input is excellent.

Cheers,

John

[denjo]

I second the Bryston BDA-1 recommendation! Topflight DAC with RCA, Toslink and USB inputs.

[TomS]

Ultra Fi's Iroc is a highly regarded USB DAC at a decent price.  There is one on a'gon here http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?dgtlconv&1226715881.  Empirical Audio showed a new one at RMAF 2008 that should be a winner too, though at a higher price point.

[Crimson]

Wavelength Audio's Brick version 2 'zero dac' (non over/upsampling with a tube buffer stage) that uses asynchronous USB transfer mode. Very highly recommended. List is $1750. There's also the Wavelength Proton that uses the same technology at $900.

[RJ]

How about the Benchmark DAC1 USB @ $1295?

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac1/

[Angaria]

I wouldn't go for the benchmark, when the citypulse sounds just as good for half the price.

[jrebman]

hifi2me,

What's the rest of your system and what kind of sonic presentation do you want?  What are the attributes you value most?

There are a zillion really good dacs out there at all kinds of price points, but some work better in certain systems than others.  Without this info it's a complete crap shoot as to whether there will be a good match with your gear, regardless of price point.

-- Jim

[santacore]

I have a Stello DA220 MKII that I'm about to list for sale. It's an excellent sounding USB DAC that beat out the Lavry, Apogee, and Monarchy that I previously owned. Here's a link to a review:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/stello_da220mkii_followup.htm

If you're interested shoot me a PM.

John

[JIMV]

Benchmarks DAC1 pre with USB input...about $1500

[rodge827]

Hi hifi2me,

If you are into kit building, or know someone who can put one together for you, look into Audio Note Kits Dac 2.1 with USB board option. A very good performance to cost ratio. Send Brian Smith an email and he will discuss all the various options for you.

http://www.audionotekits.com/dac2_1.html

Chris

[ebag4]

You may want to check out this review of the Havana DAC:

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1208/mhdt_labs_havana.htm

Best,
Ed

[NewBuyer]

Benchmarks DAC1 pre with USB input...about $1500

I strongly second that one.

[jhm731]

If you're not in a rush, I'd wait for the new PSAudio UltraDac due out 2/09.

See their newsletters for more info.

[cryoparts]

Ultra Fi's Iroc is a highly regarded USB DAC at a decent price.  There is one on a'gon here http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?dgtlconv&1226715881. 

Empirical Audio showed a new one at RMAF 2008 that should be a winner too, though at a higher price point.

X2 on both of those. 

No, I don't sell them or receive any compensation.  Heck, I've never met Larry face to face and have only talked to Steve briefly twice at shows.

Peace,

Lee

[lonewolfny42]

You may want to check out this review of the Havana DAC:

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1208/mhdt_labs_havana.htm

Best,
Ed

And....the good advice Scott highlighted in the article...

"Now for the caveats. First and foremost you have to remember, this is a non-oversampling DAC. A NOS DAC may not sound great in everybody's system. When it comes to selecting a DAC for your system, care must be taken. Within every system out there lies a delicate balance of synergy. If you have a forward sounding system, a NOS DAC may likely sound quite good. It helps bring your system into ‘balance'. If your system is reasonably laid back, you may be better off with an upsampling DAC. Again, it's all about balance. One last item before I get sidetracked, if you are a detail freak (read=ICE amps, upsampling and bright speakers), don't even think about a NOS DAC.

Not to get sidetracked but this is worth repeating. I can't tell you how many audiophiles I've talked to (or read) over the years that that have commented about a given piece of gear that doesn't sound near as good as others have stated when they hear it in their system. When I drill down a little further on their comments and systems, I find that they tried inserting a given piece of gear into a system that likely won't compliment the rest of the system (read=system synergy). In turn, they are dismissive about that same piece of gear regarding it as an ‘inferior' piece. What they fail to realize is that much of the audio gear we play with is NOT plug and play. Taking this to extremes let me use the venerable large Advent speakers an example. Those of us that grew up listening to these speakers know and love the way they sound. In turn to get the best out of these speakers, you really need a fairly forward sounding cast of characters supporting these speakers (read=upsampling, detailed solid state, or tube gear with bright sounding tubes). I (personally) would never try to mate an NOS DAC or some other ‘laid back' sounding piece of gear to these speakers. If you do, you won't be able hear the Advents sound their best. On the opposite end of the scale sits something like the Avantguarde line of speakers. The last thing I'd consider doing is installing an upsampling DAC and Bryston amps to drive these speakers. It's all about proper balance. Keep that in mind when you read comments about any piece of gear."   

[pardales]

You may want to check out this review of the Havana DAC:

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1208/mhdt_labs_havana.htm

Best,
Ed

And....the good advice Scott highlighted in the article...

"Now for the caveats. First and foremost you have to remember, this is a non-oversampling DAC. A NOS DAC may not sound great in everybody's system. When it comes to selecting a DAC for your system, care must be taken. Within every system out there lies a delicate balance of synergy. If you have a forward sounding system, a NOS DAC may likely sound quite good. It helps bring your system into ‘balance'. If your system is reasonably laid back, you may be better off with an upsampling DAC. Again, it's all about balance. One last item before I get sidetracked, if you are a detail freak (read=ICE amps, upsampling and bright speakers), don't even think about a NOS DAC.

Not to get sidetracked but this is worth repeating. I can't tell you how many audiophiles I've talked to (or read) over the years that that have commented about a given piece of gear that doesn't sound near as good as others have stated when they hear it in their system. When I drill down a little further on their comments and systems, I find that they tried inserting a given piece of gear into a system that likely won't compliment the rest of the system (read=system synergy). In turn, they are dismissive about that same piece of gear regarding it as an ‘inferior' piece. What they fail to realize is that much of the audio gear we play with is NOT plug and play. Taking this to extremes let me use the venerable large Advent speakers an example. Those of us that grew up listening to these speakers know and love the way they sound. In turn to get the best out of these speakers, you really need a fairly forward sounding cast of characters supporting these speakers (read=upsampling, detailed solid state, or tube gear with bright sounding tubes). I (personally) would never try to mate an NOS DAC or some other ‘laid back' sounding piece of gear to these speakers. If you do, you won't be able hear the Advents sound their best. On the opposite end of the scale sits something like the Avantguarde line of speakers. The last thing I'd consider doing is installing an upsampling DAC and Bryston amps to drive these speakers. It's all about proper balance. Keep that in mind when you read comments about any piece of gear."  

I was happy to be reminded of this myself. It was well said and so important.