Looking for a DAC for OTL Crack + HD650s

sleyk · 7435

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Offline sleyk

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on: March 13, 2012, 03:52:49 PM
Hi music lovers!
This is my first post ever on any audio site and I just built my first amp ever (Crack).
I am currently in the market for a good DAC to add to Crack>>>HD650s.
Preferably something to connect from my laptop via USB.

I've been looking around and am considering the Audioengine D1 or any budget DIY DAC.
https://www.head-fi.org/t/581815/review-audioengine-d1-24-96-usb-and-optical-dac-amp-for-laptops-and-computers-in-progress

My budget is about 250 for a DAC.  Thank suggestions will be helpful!
Thank you so much :)



Offline Noskipallwd

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Reply #1 on: March 14, 2012, 01:14:26 AM
Welcome, I am using a fairly cheap Chinese made tube Dac to hold me over until the Bottlehead Dac kit is ready, It is marketed under a few different names, Hilly, Grant Fidelity, and others. Cost less than 200 but sounds pretty good at 24/96. Many here really like the HRT Music Streamers, I think there are 3 models. I have heard the II+ model and if I did not already have a Dac I would probably invest in that one. Waiting for the Bottlehead kit, I hope it will be worth the wait. There are quite a few Bottleheads using the Audioengine products, hopefully someone will chime in!

Cheers,
Shawn

Shawn Prigmore


Offline Lar

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Reply #2 on: March 14, 2012, 06:49:53 AM
I use the Emotiva XDA - 1, there on for 249.00, altho they seem to be out of stock right now, for the money hard to beat.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda1

Larry V


Offline HF9

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Reply #3 on: March 14, 2012, 07:45:22 AM
Since you'll only be using the DAC as a holding-place before the Bottlehead kit, there's not much sense spending hundreds of dollars on it. The GrubDAC (http://beezar.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=129) at Beezar runs $60 and should hold you over just fine.

My DIY Audio Electronics Blog: DIYAudioBlog.com


Offline debk

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Reply #4 on: March 14, 2012, 08:05:20 AM
I use the Emotiva XDA - 1, there on for 249.00, altho they seem to be out of stock right now, for the money hard to beat.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xda1

I too have been using the Emotiva DAC, and can recomend it.  Works well and will tide me over untill the the Bottlehead DAC comes out.

Debra

Debra K

Eros 2Phono amp
BeePre2, Psvane ACME 300b
Kaiju, Linlai Elite  300b
Monamour 2a3 amps various tubes
Sota Sapphire, Pete Riggle Woody Tonearm, Kiseki Purpleheart Cartridge
Rega P6 Ania Pro cartridge
Roon Nucleus
MHDT Labs Orchid DAC
Jager speakers


Offline sleyk

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Reply #5 on: March 14, 2012, 01:18:07 PM
Since you'll only be using the DAC as a holding-place before the Bottlehead kit, there's not much sense spending hundreds of dollars on it. The GrubDAC (http://beezar.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=129) at Beezar runs $60 and should hold you over just fine.

I didn't know Bottlehead was preparing a DAC kit!  Any idea how long it will be before it is released?
Also for the GrubDAC, where can I find the instructions for assembly?
Thanks for all the wonderful advice!



Offline Mr. Davis

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Reply #6 on: March 14, 2012, 02:01:22 PM

Perry Davis


Offline dgb

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Reply #7 on: March 14, 2012, 02:35:58 PM
just a quick mention; the grubdac requires surface mounting soldering which can be a bit tricky for some (like me).



Offline John Roman

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Reply #8 on: March 14, 2012, 04:48:11 PM
check out Hi Face and HRT streamer

Regards,
John
Extended Foreplay 3 / 300B Paramount's / BassZilla open baffle/ Music Streamer 2 / Lenovo Y560-Win7-JRMC & JPlay


Offline earwaxxer

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Reply #9 on: March 14, 2012, 06:21:14 PM
Hi sleyk - I really like the network server approach of using the Squeezbox (Logitech). You can get the Logitech Touch for just under $300. It has a built in DAC, but its the network server that makes it unique. You can go wireless Wifi from your laptop or over ethernet cable. Great software. You dont have to deal with the USB issues. You can built on it later if you want to upgrade to an audiophile grade DAC.

Lots of options open to you now. There is also the Schitt DAC.

Eric

Eric
Emotiva XPA-2, Magnepan MMG (mod), Quickie (mod), JRiver, Wyrd4sound uLink, Schiit Gungnir, JPS Digital power cord, MIT power cord, JPS Labs ultraconductor wire throughout, HSU sub. powered by Crown.


Offline RPMac

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Reply #10 on: March 15, 2012, 04:43:11 AM
I've been using Squeezebox classic with Burr-Brown chip for several years and waiting on the BH-DAC. I've wondered if an inexpensive tube DAC would be worth the added expense? Or maybe a tube buffer?

I assume that beings John uses Squeezebox, the BH-DAC will work well with it.

Doc, you mentioned in another thread that there may be some budget issues with the development of the DAC. Would it be beneficial if those of us that know we are going to buy, sent a deposit?



Offline John Roman

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Reply #11 on: March 15, 2012, 05:23:28 AM
A deposit up front, now that has to be tempting. Of course what would you do with all that cash? If it's a year before the BH DAC comes out you could be sitting on a tidy bundle....think of the possibilities! Only serious of course..

Regards,
John
Extended Foreplay 3 / 300B Paramount's / BassZilla open baffle/ Music Streamer 2 / Lenovo Y560-Win7-JRMC & JPlay


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #12 on: March 15, 2012, 05:27:42 AM
I appreciate the offer, but we're on track at the moment. John needs some time to get the firmware written for the latest (and hopefully final) version and then we will be working on merging it with the tube output.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Jim R.

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Reply #13 on: March 15, 2012, 03:32:50 PM
I can easily recommend the HRT Streamers -- even the basic, non-plus version at $149.  The newest generation units are a nice step up from even the older ones (have the oval profile case instead of the trapezoid style.  Better op amps in the output,  for one thing.

I know it's out of your budget, but the Halide Designs DAC HD is a very sweet and musical dac for $550 -- and no worrying about usb and interconnect cables -- they're built in and of very high quality.  My current favorite under $1k dac (except for the Metrum Octave which is right around $1k, but needs a really good usb-spdif converter for best performance.

Also look at some of the units from AudioGD -- they too perform way above their price point.

HTH,

Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)


Offline sleyk

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Reply #14 on: March 15, 2012, 08:00:51 PM
I found that crutchfield is selling the Audioengine D1 DAC for $149.99 with a $20 coupon, so I am leaning toward the D1 at the moment.
Though the HRT streamer has good reviews, but in a heads up contest b/w the D1 and HRT Streamer; I prefer the D1. 
Similarly, I was considering a DIY DAC, but lack the general materials for SMD soldering.  Considering cost of the GrubDac at $60 + about $40 of SMD soldering, I'd rather just pay the extra $50 to get the the D1.
If anyone does have the D1 and HRT streamer, could they provide a head to head review of the D1 vs HRT streamer hooked up to their OTL crack?
Thank you all for your informative responses and whatever DAC I get, I will provide a through review :)