[Mike B.]

I own a Audiosector NOS DAC. It is a very good for the money. I replaced it first with a Cambridge CD player which was more detailed. Then a Burson DAC/headphone amp. It is in a completely different zip code from the NOS DAC.

[Letitroll98]

I own a Audiosector NOS DAC. It is a very good for the money. I replaced it first with a Cambridge CD player which was more detailed. Then a Burson DAC/headphone amp. It is in a completely different zip code from the NOS DAC.

That may be quite true but a $1200 (US) DAC is way off the mark for cheap and cheerful.

[Mike B.]

That may be quite true but a $1200 (US) DAC is way off the mark for cheap and cheerful.

True. My comments were directed at this "many claim it outperforms $1000 DACs." Actually the Burson could be a cheap and cheerful champion. It is not only a spdf and USB dac, it is a preamp and headphone amp

[MttBsh]

Although this listing is a few months old (I haven't seen it referenced here) it provides the best/most comprehensive comparisons I 've been able to find of the of the new crop of DACs - including many that qualify as "Cheap and Cheerful". I see it as "required reading" for anyone planning to buy a new DAC.

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net.au/index.php/news-blog-and-showcase/john-darkos-blog/item/195-the-darko-dac-index

[wushuliu]

Although this listing is a few months old (I haven't seen it referenced here) it provides the best/most comprehensive comparisons I 've been able to find of the of the new crop of DACs - including many that qualify as "Cheap and Cheerful". I see it as "required reading" for anyone planning to buy a new DAC.

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net.au/index.php/news-blog-and-showcase/john-darkos-blog/item/195-the-darko-dac-index

The Audio-GD NFB-2 has the highest rating. Huh.

[genjamon]

He seems to strongly weight price and other accessibility features.  If there are issues of connectability or it's not as much a bargain, he docks them one star.  In other words, he's not offering ratings based only on sound quality. 

In my opinion, sound quality is variable enough in people's subjective opinions.  Add to that other intangibles such as affordability and also connectability with the rest of your system and/or interests, and his ratings are to be taken with a major major grain of salt.

At least he seems to do a good job of trying to convey his impressions in the reviews.  Also make sure to check out the rest of his system for a sense of what type of sound he prefers or how that system may be biasing his results.

[johnnydarko]

He seems to strongly weight price and other accessibility features.  If there are issues of connectability or it's not as much a bargain, he docks them one star.  In other words, he's not offering ratings based only on sound quality.

They are rated for sound quality and - to a lesser extent - functionality in the context of price.  Imagine the EE Minimax costing $3000.  Would it still be a 5 star DAC?  Not in my book it wouldn't.  Price matters.

In my opinion, sound quality is variable enough in people's subjective opinions.  Add to that other intangibles such as affordability and also connectability with the rest of your system and/or interests, and his ratings are to be taken with a major major grain of salt.

Agreed.  Some folk will require a whole shaker-full.  It's just one guy's opinion after all.

At least he seems to do a good job of trying to convey his impressions in the reviews.  Also make sure to check out the rest of his system for a sense of what type of sound he prefers or how that system may be biasing his results.

Yup, I do my darn-dest to try to capture the essence of how a DAC 'sounds' with words.  Food metaphors help greatly - another opportunity for salt!

[RCduck7]

A  bit of a heated discussion is in order here. The Sabre chip is much better in most, if not all aspects.

Just clearing this up, Metrum tried all the DAC chips but none of them have met their demands. They did not just pick a commercial available DAC chip but wanted something to exceed the existing ones.

[Canada Rob]

I have an Audio Sector NOS DAC (USB) built by Peter Daniel, and an Audio Zone   
DAC 1 (USB) which is also Peter's design and essentially the same.  I have run them in various tube amp/single driver speaker stereo systems with generally the same results: very three dimensional, excellent detail, fluid, and warm.  The right synergy with other components is critical, and these DACs love tubes and single drivers, at least the equipment I have matched them with.  I have had these DACs for around three years and am not the least bit tired of them, nor am I hankering for an upgrade.