DAC Recommendations?

[Horatio]

Here are two options I have had a lot of success with:

1) Schitt Bifrost - sounds great and no complaints - this is my main DAC and is hooked up to my BeePre & Paramounts.

2) Apple Airport Express - for those on a tighter budget who happen to be Apple users here is a wild card option I have also had a lot of success with. A modern Airport Express (hockey puck style) will allow for both DAC and remote TosLink output. In fact this is the DAC I use with my Stereomour. I took the gamble after reading this review http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/airport-express-audio-quality-2014.htm and do not regret it one bit!

[drewh1]

I love Oslo. Travelled there on business regularly to work with tandberg. Sailed in the faerdern years ago

[Strikkflypilot]

Nice. Off topic, I have an old Tandberg, 2075 mk2 to repair for my dad when I get around to it...

[amritdesai]

I've had for a couple of years the Peachtree DacIT and the Musical Fidelity Vdac II both with aftermarket, external power supplies. They are very similar performance wise although the DacIT has a sweetness to it, very musical whereas the Vdac is precise but neutral. The DacIT sounds great with my apple TV/toshlink but the Vdac with it's superior USB interface outperforms hooked up to my macbook pro/amarra. I like the simplicity of the design with Vdac II but it is kind of annoying having cables coming from both ends.

Overall, I think I actually prefer the Peachtree DacIT sound over the Vdac II.

*Just ordered a bifrost multibit 

[Strikkflypilot]

Just pulled the trigger on a Gungnir Multibit.
Selling my PSX cd player to make room on the shelf:) (Avoids the questions:) )

[denti alligator]

It's way out of my budget, but I'm eyeing the Bryston BDA-3, which can take DSD from HDMI, which is HUGE: the capability of playing SACD through an external DAC.

[Strikkflypilot]

I can only say from what Ive read, that it seems good.
Havent heard it though...

[amritdesai]

Curious what you think of the multibit. Seriously impressed so far - the level of realism is unreal

[Strikkflypilot]

I received the Gumby by Fedex courier on the 21. It's been on ever since.
Just right now, sat and listened to the Tannhauser Ouverture, recovering from severe goosebumps.
I think it is something else. Like the reviewers say, not harsh, but beautifully, naturally detailed and resolved. Also impressed with how well it makes standard CD Quality files sound.
This is a permanent setup, that's for sure. It is also sleek and easy on the eyes, so it has my wife's seal of approval:)

[Rhok]

I was kind of on the fence of a DAC not meaning that much, especially nowadays with the technology in general being lower cost.

I recently purchased a Bifrost Multibit for "peace of mind" that my DAC wasn't bottle-necking anything (Modi 2).

I purchased it expecting practically nothing.. boy was I wrong.. it affected more than I ever anticipated and definitely look my listening experience up several notches.. I didn't even need to focus or think about it's changes, they weren't subtle.

I don't know how much better it gets, but I now know that there will be a "TOTL" DAC in my chain one day.

TL:DR the Bifrost Multibit seems to be great value, and I would recommend it.

[denti alligator]

I've now got my eye on the Gustard X20, which reviews have besting even Schiit's flagship. Plus it does DSD over PCM.

[Tom-s]

That Gustard X20 looks great. On amazon it's only 725€. That's only +25€ over the price of a Schiit Biforst Multibit here in EU.

Follow-up on this. The sound of the X20 is really good. A clear step-up from my Modi2U (what a surprise ), adds depth to the sound. Unfortunately i can't compare it to anything else. Since this is my second DAC. Big bonus are the suggested mods. I'll start modding it asap .

[debk]

Being a Bottlehead, ("Tubes & I can build it better" syndrome!),  and preferring NOS DAC's,  I bought a DAC2.1 from AudioNote kits.  AD1865 chip and 6299 output.  It has been a wonderful addition to the kit!!  (Headphones are still on a modified Teradak NOS).

Cheers,
Geary

I upgraded my ANK DAC 2.1 with the 5687 Output board and output transformers.  Wow nice upgrade really took the sound upma notch, very natural and enjoyable to listen to.